11: Keelin
Keelin
In truth, having Deva on her back was more help than hindrance. The girl moved branches out of the way. And the extra weight, the tugging of the webbing, the breath on the side of her face—it all reminded Keelin she wasn’t alone.
Even if she was abandoning her baby.
Her own body ached with the injuries to the Proteus. Her muscles strained, just as the internal workings of the bird struggled to compensate for all the failed systems. And although Keelin’s heart beat strong, the Proteus fell increasingly still.
Dormant.
As extinct as this volcano.
And Ryann hadn’t returned yet. And her trace faded, barely metres into the undergrowth.
She’d mentioned a dampening field, and maybe that was why Keelin could no longer feel the steady throb of the bird. Even the sensor c
