Free The Guardian Herd by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

his words. She gazed at him and nudged him gently with her muzzle. “Thank you.” He’d said the exact words she needed to hear. Louder, she spoke to the group. “Instead of heading to the main channel, why don’t we follow this outlet a little farther. It should eventually lead to the surface, but far from the river.”
    Dewberry and Hazelwind looked skeptical.
    â€œWe have time to try it,” said Brackentail. “We know Nightwing is taking the herd to the interior of Anok, and it’ll be safer to follow this branch than to return to the main channel, where Ice Warriors might still be looking for us.”
    â€œThat’s true,” said Hazelwind, glancing at Morningleaf,“but I’m worried about getting lost. What if this tunnel takes us deeper underground and we become trapped?”
    Her brother’s gaze was unwavering, and Morningleaf saw their sire reflected in him—Thundersky’s bravery and his commitment to his family. Hazelwind had abandoned Morningleaf and their mother once to form his own herd because he didn’t trust Star. She’d been furious with him, but since then Hazelwind had decided to accept Star. Now their broken bond was healing, and like a broken bone, it was healing stronger than before. “Trust me,” she said to her older brother. “I was trapped in the lava tubes, and I found my way out.”
    â€œAll right,” Hazelwind said. “Lead the way.”
    Morningleaf turned and walked deeper into the aqueduct, with her friends following.
    Many hours later, the rocky ledge ended abruptly, but the river channel continued, flowing ahead. A smidgeon of light in the distance indicated that the surface might be near. “We’ll have to swim the rest of the way,” said Morningleaf.
    Bumblewind lowered his nose to the dark water. “Areyou sure this leads to the surface?”
    Morningleaf had counted on a breeze to indicate open land above their heads, like she had in the lava tubes, but underground the air was still. “Wait here; I’ll check it out.”
    Before they could stop her, Morningleaf slid into the water. Without the sun to warm it, the cool liquid chilled her bones. She paddled forward and relaxed, feeling for a current. Small, luminescent creatures glowed along the sides of the rock tunnel. She had the eerie feeling of being watched. She swam on, kicking gently. Then she felt it, rising water, but the tunnel narrowed ahead, cutting off her air. She’d have to duck under the surface and swim the rest of the way underwater. But would this aqueduct take her to the surface, or trap her under land and drown her? She returned to her friends.
    â€œWhat did you find?” asked Brackentail.
    â€œA way out, I think. Just a few winglengths that way I can feel the water sifting upward.”
    â€œThat’s good,” said Brackentail.
    â€œNot if it’s leading to a dead end,” said Dewberry.
    â€œWell, if I don’t come back, then it’s a dead end.” Morningleaf nickered as if she were joking, but her friends just blinked at her in silence.
    â€œI’m coming with you,” said Brackentail.
    Morningleaf peered into his soft golden eyes, opening her mouth to speak.
    â€œYou can’t change my mind,” he said.
    She exhaled, nodding. “All right, follow me.” He jumped into the water, and she led him back the way she’d come. When they reached the spot where the river filled the entire tunnel, they each took a huge breath and dived under the surface. They paddled on and then upward, toward the dim light above.
    Soon, Morningleaf’s heart was thudding. She thought they’d hit the surface by now, but they were still swimming, and she’d passed the point where she had enough air to turn back. With her chest burning, she glanced behind her, but it was too dark to see Brackentail. She swiveled her ears, hearing only the quiet swish of her