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I can’t tell from up here, Pendragon reminded me. But probably not. You can do this, Blake.

I flew across the cavern. It was a short flight; the opening was soon rushing toward us. Landing would take too much time, I decided, since the water was rising too fast. Plus I could already see it was going to be a tough, awkward spot to land in. So I kind of … tossed them.

Oh gods, Blake, Pendragon gasped as she saw Visha hit the stone.

But Vaidya was fine. She rolled once and then leaped up in a crouch, as if she’d done it before a hundred times. Kazmyn landed a little less gracefully. He smacked shoulder-first into the wall of the tunnel. I couldn’t stay to see how he was. I was already banking.

Two down, Pendragon said.

Don’t count or you’ll jinx it, I said nervously.

You’re adorable. You’re doing fine. Just go.

I flew back toward the ledge, my wings slicing through the air. Rodriguez and Magda were standing near the edge together, Rodriguez shouting something—probably about how insanely unsafe this all was. Magda’s face was grim. For all we knew, the dwarven scout had done this before and just wasn’t telling any of us. I wouldn’t have been surprised.

I picked them up, ignoring Rodriguez’s yelps, and carried them to the other side. When I tossed them in, sure enough, Magda landed on her feet just like a cat. Rodriguez landed on his back-side and immediately started coughing.

Third trip. By the time I circled back, the ledge was almost gone. It was an island in a sea of water. Waves slapped against the cliffside.

Zaira and Sankara were next. The Stone Keeper looked terrified. Her eyes were wide, her jaw was clenched. Sankara stood beside her, saying something I couldn’t hear. He looked solid as a statue and had one hand on her shoulder.

He’s a good man, Pendragon remarked. Kind, too.

For a highblood, you mean.

No, I mean for a man.

I snorted. Fair point.

I swooped down, snatching them both. Everyone before this had been so light. But with Sankara, I could feel his weight. Zaira screeched as my claws folded around her.

Be gentle, Pendragon murmured.

I’m trying. I loosened my grip just a fraction. Zaira didn’t plummet down into the water, so that was good.

The opening loomed before us. I tried to toss them more gently. Sankara hit the stone in a roll and came up on one knee. Zaira fell but caught herself against the tunnel wall.

Hurry, Pendragon urged. Hawl …

I wheeled back again. My stomach dropped. Shit.

The ledge was gone. Hawl was gone, too. Then I spotted them, a brown furry head floating just above the surface. Hawl’s paws churned in the water.

Does that mean they’re still undecided or … ?

Grab them, Blake. Pendragon’s tone told me now wasn’t the time to fuck around.

All right, all right, I said hastily.

The Ursidaur’s armor wasn’t doing them any favors. Their head bobbed once, then vanished.

Blake. There was a hitch to Pendragon’s voice.

It’s all right, I tried to reassure her. I can still see their shadow below the surface.

Then the bear’s head bobbed up again.

Thank the gods, Pendragon gasped.