Island of Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

best for you.”
    â€œIt’s not best, when you and Toklo talk about splitting up,” Lusa told her in a small voice. “We belong together. You know we do.”
    â€œYou’re right.” Kallik felt her anger die. “I’m sorry.”
    Toklo gave a grunt of acknowledgment, though he didn’t meet Kallik’s gaze. He gave Lusa an awkward prod with one paw. “Let’s go a bit farther,” he suggested. “Then we’ll find somewhere to spend the night.”
    He turned and jumped onto the next ice floe. He had adapted to the way the ice pitched and rocked when he landed, and he slithered quickly to the center with his paws spread out to steady it. Kallik’s irritation rose again at his assumption that he was still taking the lead, but at least he turned and waited for Lusa, checking to make sure she crossed safely before carrying on.
    Thankfully, the chunks of ice grew bigger and the gaps narrower until the surface was solid and unbroken beneath their feet, though there was still no sign of land ahead. Darkness fell, with a thick cloud cover that cut off the light of the moon or stars. With nowhere to make a den, the bears huddled together to sleep.
    Missing walls of snow or even of earth around her, Kallik slept uneasily. The wind swept across the ice with a thin, whining sound; she began to imagine that she could hear voices in it. Then she thought that she could hear her name. “Kallik! Kallik!”
    Her eyes flew open. Toklo, Lusa, and Yakone slept beside her, as still as stones. Kallik caught her breath as she spotted a glimmer of starlight far out over the sea. The voice calling her name seemed to be coming from there. Gradually the light grew closer, though Kallik couldn’t make out what it was. Cautiously sitting up, she prodded Lusa, who was closest, with one paw. “Lusa!” she hissed.
    The black bear didn’t move; not even her nose twitched.
    Growing fearful, Kallik faced the starry glimmer. It seemed to be moving faster now, and as it drew closer, she could make out its shape. That’s when her fear vanished.
    â€œUjurak!” she barked joyfully.
    The brown bear trotted up to her. Stars were entangled in his fur, and his eyes glowed with the silver light of two small moons.
    â€œKallik,” he murmured affectionately, coming so close that she could see his breath clouding in the icy air.
    Kallik prodded Lusa again, but still she couldn’t rouse the black bear. “Why can’t I wake the others?” she asked.
    â€œThey will see me soon,” Ujurak promised. “But tonight I’ve come to visit you.”
    Kallik stared at him. “Why me?”
    â€œBecause I need to ask you something,” Ujurak told her. “Kallik, please don’t quarrel with the others. It makes your journey harder.”
    â€œI know.” Shame swept over Kallik and she bowed her head. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œToklo isn’t the easiest bear to get along with.” There was a spark of amusement in Ujurak’s eyes. “But you have always been the one to calm ruffled fur and keep the bears together. This is your gift, Kallik.”
    Kallik nodded, remembering the quarrels she had stopped, the tempers she had cooled, on their long journey to Star Island. It hadn’t always been easy, and sometimes she’d almost had to bite her own tongue off to keep the peace, but there was no point getting angry with the bears that you relied on for companionship, food, and shelter. She just had to think outside the moment, to the days and moons that lay beyond them. “I’ll try harder,” she promised.
    Ujurak lifted his muzzle, leaving a trail of sparks hanging in the air. “Good. Because you and Toklo and Lusa must share your destiny—and your journey—for a while longer.”
    â€œI’ll try,” Kallik repeated. “This journey is too important to be risked on a single fight.