Power Ranger Ninja Storm, Heather Ray [best classic romance novels txt] 📗

disadvantage.

"I'm putting my fate in your hands, Tori."

I swallow a lump in my throat, fighting back tears with all the strength left in me. What was I thinking? I wanted to hurt him, I wanted to pound him with everything I had. And I really could've done damage. He took a major gamble throwing me the morpher; he had no guarantee that I wouldn't morph and blast him with my Sonic Fin, leaving all questions for later.

I…can feel myself being swayed. His explanation makes so much sense, and I want to believe him. If he's telling the truth now, it would mean I wasn't an idiot for believing him before, when he apologized in the woods. It would mean he really is a good person… that the cute, charming guy I really started to like is a real person! Not just a lie, not just another mask.

I want to believe that so much… but wanting it to be true doesn't make it true. And I can't ignore the warning bells ringing in my ears. I know he's a convincing liar. Can I really trust him again? Do I have it in me? Can I leave myself open to another betrayal?

Can I afford to, given our circumstances? Considering my friends' lives are on the line? My trust in Blake nearly got Cam injured, and I shudder to think what almost happened to Sensei. And now, I'm alone in a strange forest, searching for my missing friends.

I can't make this kind of decision now…not on my own, at least.

Straightening, I fix his morpher to my bare wrist. "I don't trust you, Blake," I inform him, doing my best to ignore how his shoulders drop with unmasked -- or perhaps, well feigned - disappointment. "Still, it's better to have you in my sights than let you get the drop on me again." I gesture to the cliff whose peak is still barely visible through the canopy of leaves and branches. "You can stick with me for now, until we can find Dustin and Shane. But, I'm holding on to your morpher. And I'm deciding what direction we take."

I stare at him expectantly, hands on my hips with false bravado. Finally, he nods his head. "Deal."
Chapter Fifteen

The hike through the forest is totally silent. I walk a good six feet in front of her, occasionally glancing back when there isn't a particularly perilous rock, tree trunk, or other stumbling block in my immediate path.

She refuses to meet my eyes.

I keep trudging forward, listening for any signs of life. But as we continue our search, I can't keep myself from contemplating what just happened.

I knew before I saw her that I had some major explaining to do. From the way Cam attacked me in Ninja Ops, I figured I'd get a similar greeting from the Wind team. So, when I first awoke, all alone on Vertical Island of all places, I did my best to think of how to approach the Winds. What evidence to use to prove that I'm on their side.

I thought I had all my T's crossed and I's dotted; but now I know that'll do me precisely no good if the Winds won't listen to me. Tori didn't hear a word I said. It was almost like she'd covered her ears and started humming, stubbornly blocking out my explanation instead of hearing me out.

I can't really blame her, I admit with a grim frown. When Lothor told us about what had happened to our parents; when he fed us those outright lies, Hunter and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Looking back now, I can't believe we trusted him. Why didn't the fact that he's an evil space alien not factor into our heads? Or, that he ransacked the Thunder Academy? It's amazing how blind a person can be when they're consumed by anger. All the holes in Lothor's story, the illogic of his plan, none of it hit me until after I found out the truth. Then, all the pieces fell into place, and all I could do was turn that anger inward, furious at my own gullibility.

I know what she's feeling. I know how much that anger hurts…how it warps your whole view of the world, and yourself.

I can't keep the assurances from spilling out. "I didn't trick you, Tori. Well, the first time I did; but in the woods… everything I said was sincere. I'm going to prove it, I swear."

She doesn't answer, of course. If she is convinced I'm a liar, it'll take more than just words to change her mind.

My fists clench tightly as I think of all the progress we'd made earlier today… all gone up in smoke.

Part Ten: The Hunt

Hunter begins to feel the sting of betrayal.

Author's Note:

This chapter is in Hunter's voice.

Chapter Sixteen

I can hear my pulse beating in my ears. A steady rhythm of frustration and outrage, a battle drum keeping time with my feet as I race along the coast of Vertical Island, searching for some sign, any sign of my stupid, naïve, headstrong little brother.

I can't believe

him. I just…can't

! I told him to stay out of it! I told him to go back to the Thunder Academy! When did he stop trusting me? He always followed my lead! He always knew he could count on me to take care of him. Why did he pick now to stop listening to me!

I was trying to be quick about it. Beat the stuffing out of those irritating Winds, take them down a notch or two for being such a hassle. Then, it was simple to send them packing to Vertical Island, where Lothor could do with them what he pleased. My part of the deal would've been complete. Whatever mess Blake had gotten himself into would've been cleaned up. Then, we could've focused on their murdering sensei without interference.

But no

…Blake had to show up at just the wrong time

!

The last moments of the fight play over in my head, and I still don't believe it. He jumped into the portal after the Blue Ranger! He ignored my warning; he didn't hesitate for a second. I don't know what he was thinking. He just threw his lot in with the Winds. With her.

And Lothor's earlier taunts haunt me, like knowing laughter carried by the breeze.

"Your brother's loyalties have been tangled, it seems."

I didn't put much stock in his rambling at the time. I mean, how could I take Lothor's word that my own brother was a traitor? Still, I wanted to keep Blake out of it… as far away from the Winds as possible. For his own safety…and just in case. I don't know… for some reason, the sight of Blake and Tori together in the woods stirred something in me. Some almost-memory that I just can't reach.

Frustration. Resignation. And with that came a bit of fear…fear that there was some truth to Lothor's snide remark. That Blake really does feel something for the Wind Ranger. That our plan to infiltrate the Wind team's base and kidnap their sensei had taken an unwelcome turn.

"Blake has been manipulated by the Wind Rangers. They are more devious than we initially thought. They must be dealt with."

Snarling, my gloved fist pounds the nearest rock. I didn't want to make this personal. I wanted to keep it simple: toss them to Vertical Island and wash my hands of it. But then Blake jumped into the portal without even asking me where it went, or what I had planned. And when I watched in open-mouthed shock as my little brother disappeared, it felt like a battle line had been drawn.

Completely disregarding my instructions, he'd followed me into battle. And he didn't come to back me up, like the dependable little brother he's always been. He came to help them. To save her.

Now, there are five of us on Lothor's private property. And I don't know what else might be waiting here…

"Since Blake will most likely try to help his new allies, I suggest you consider joining them on Vertical Island. If you can't persuade him to see reason and stay out of my affairs, I'm afraid he won't be spared."

I have to find him. I have to snap him out of this. I have to make him remember our mission, our parents. That's all. I know where his loyalties truly lie. At worst, he's just… confused. He's always had too big a heart. It'll take more than a pretty face to break the bonds of family, dammit!

I have to find him before he gets into more trouble. Before something else finds him.

I continue my search, slowing my near-jog as I approach a small opening nestled at the base of a cliff.

I frown in confusion, staring at the cave's mouth. I can almost remember… another cave - ancient, hallowed ground -- and misty shapes of green ether welcoming me…

"We're always looking after you."

"Make us proud."

Mom? Dad?

I shake my head, trying to grasp that faint memory with all my might…but it slips through my fingers like sand, leaving me feeling incredibly hollow. Alone

.

What was that? Some fading vestiges of