Page 126 of Feralheart

“Kerrel,” I yelled. “Come back. There’s still time!”

He kicked his dragon and sawed on the reins, aiming for the thinnest part of the mist. His dragon screamed in terror, and Kerrel screamed along with it.

The mist rose up like it had been waiting for this invitation.

Stone spread across his mount faster than thought. They fell before their screams finished, and the mist took what was left before they hit the surface.

Reece’s jaw hung slack. “What the fuck is this stuff?” The blue scarf around his wrist fluttered.

“Death,” Lyndie said. “His and probably ours.” She swiped tears from her eyes. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “I have to do this. I know it, but I’m so fucking scared.”

“He didn’t listen,” I said, my throat raw. “He just kept yanking on the stupid reins.”

The wall behind us shuddered and shifted closer, crowding us toward the water.

Lyndie stiffened her spine and loosened her grip on the reins, the way I’d told them to. Her dragon’s head lifted, his nostrils flaring. “We have no choice. We’ve got to fly.”

Reece stared at the spot where Kerrel had disappeared, grinding his teeth. He let his reins go slack. “Freedom. No control.” He sounded like he was trying to convince himself. “My dragon knows better than I do.”

His mount’s breathing changed, the panicked edge smoothing.

I’d tracked the mist patterns, the way it surged and receded, the timing of it all.

More elites left the shore—that was still receding. We had seconds, maybe less. The shore behind us was disappearing, consumed. Only a thin strip remained.

Cross or die. Those were the only options left.

Selira’s muscles coiled beneath me.

I pressed my palms against her neck again. The red lines glowed brighter, warmth flooding through me into her. She could feel what I needed from her, and I could feel what she needed from me.

We were going to do this together, or we weren’t doing it at all.

The mist rolled toward us, silver tendrils testing the sand where we crowded together.

“Remember,” I said. “Let them fly. Don’t fight them.”

“Got it,” Reece called back.

Lyndie nodded.

The lake surface rippled as the rest of the elite soared over it. Waves spread from the center in circles, something large moving through the depths. Following. The ripples grew, becoming swells, the surface breaking into motion.

Whatever lived down there had been sleeping. And now it was awake. Hunting.

Selira’s muscles bunched beneath me.

Fly now!

“Yes,” I hissed. “Now.”

She leaped into the air, wings snapping out, and shot across the lake.

CHAPTER THIRTY

ERADIN

The mist didn’t make sound the way sound was supposed to work.