Page 163

“Look, I don’t like this any better than you do,” I said. “Would anyone prefer to die or swim than be picked up in my talons? Speak now.”

No one said anything. “You may pick me up last,” Hawl said finally. “I am … undecided.”

“Fine.” But Pendragon was giving me a look that said she’d murder me if I left the murderous bear behind. I decided to honor their wishes and save Hawl for last; by then hopefully they’d have switched from undecided to decided to let Blake carry them across the water with humble gratitude.

I rolled my shoulders, trying to loosen the tension. Trying to pretend I wasn’t scared out of my mind. Now was probably not the time to tell everyone I’d never actually transformed in midair before. I reached for one of Pendragon’s hands and squeezed hard. “Everything is going to be fine. Get Neville ready.” I turned away before she could even nod, backed up against the side of the cavern, then ran forward and jumped before I could lose my nerve.

For a heartbeat, I fell. The water rose up to meet me. The air tore at my clothes. Panic flared.

And then I shifted.

Heat exploded through my body as my bones snapped and extended, skin splitting into scales, shoulders wrenching outward. My wings burst forth, catching the air with a loud snap. I beat them, once, twice, with heavy strokes and rose up out of the plunge, my weight lifting in the air. I leveled out over the water, hovered a moment, then turned, banking back toward the ledge. I could do this. I was in control. My dragon was me and I was my dragon and I could fucking do this. I could save everyone’s life. It felt good to know that, to know I could save and not just kill.

Spray from below tossed upward, coating the underside of my scales. I could see Pendragon standing at the cliff’s edge.

I love you, I told her.

I could see her face break into a grin. I love you, too. You’re amazing. You know that, right?

I flapped my wings. I feel pretty amazing, I said, a little shyly. We really doing this?

She nodded and backed away from the edge, getting prepared. Neville and I are ready. The little fluffin’s ears were perked up, as if he thought this was all an excellent idea.

I think Nev is more than ready for another dragon ride, I said. I wonder if he’s ever ridden an Inferni.

I hear they’re far superior to Duskdrakes. I could hear the smile in Pendragon’s voice.

Oh, absolutely, I deadpanned. Faster and prettier to look at.

Neville gave a little yap as if he could hear us.

“Don’t you dare tell Nyxaris he said that,” I heard Pendragon say to the fluffin, just as I flared my wings and flew alongside the cliff. “Shit!” I heard her mutter. And then she was running forward with Neville racing beside her like it was just another game of fetch. Together, they leaped over the edge of the cliff and onto my outstretched wing.

I felt Pendragon slide, heard her scream, then felt her grasp onto the ridge of my wing and start to crawl forward. She moved across it, and I hovered for a second. I waited for her to cross onto my back before I lifted my wings again and moved across the cave in a circular pattern.

The little guy all right? I asked anxiously. Nev was so small I could hardly feel him there, but I knew he was onboard, as it were.

He’s right beside me. Florence was right. There’s a little hollow here, like a seat. He fits inside it perfectly. A pause. I think he’s falling asleep. I don’t think he realizes we’re in the middle of a life-and-death crisis.

I felt my jaw stretch wide. Of course he’d nap at a time like this. Poor little guy is probably sleepy from having to listen to us all shouting. You ready? I’m turning back.

I swept back. All right. One at a time.

On second thought, Pendragon said in my mind, I think two at a time would be better.

I glanced down at the water. Shit. I think you’re right.

“Visha and Kazmyn!” she shouted across to the group on the ledge. “Get ready!”

Kazmyn? Why Kazmyn? Do we even like Kazmyn? I complained. Why not Visha and Magda?

Magda looked nervous, Pendragon explained. Let’s let Vish and Kaz show them all it’s going to be fine. She paused. It is going to be fine, right? You’re not going to, you know—

Don’t you dare even say it, I ordered, a wave of anxiety hitting me as I pictured accidentally squashing Visha.

I had Visha and Kazmyn in my sights. I dipped lower, angling my body toward the ledge. And then my talons reached for them. It didn’t know how I was going to do it until I’d done it. I grabbed for them, and they kind of grabbed onto me, and then I could feel them hanging there. There was some high-pitched, girlish screaming—not from Vish, but from Kazmyn. Well, and from everyone standing back on the ledge watching.

Shit, I hope no one’s dead.