Two figures had already leapt from the dragon’s back. One raised her hand.
A dome of vines erupted around us.
The fire hit.
It didn't even graze us.
But the soldiers outside weren’t so lucky.
Screams rose, cut short by flame. Armour melted. Magic shattered. The street was a furnace of vengeance—and the dragon didn’t stop.
And then—beautifully, finally—the order rang out.
“Fall back! Sentinel soldiers! Retreat!”
“RETREAT!”
The vines retreated. And there she was.
“Mads!” I gasped.
She grinned, wild and alive, and surged into the fray—striking with vines and fists, every move a blow for freedom.
But she wasn’t alone.
A figure fought beside her. Twin blades flashing, cutting with brutal grace.
Thorne.
Alive.
Fighting.
For us.
The dragon roared overhead, its wings splitting the sky, and the tide turned. The Sentinels faltered.
This time, we weren’t falling.
We were rising.
Chapter 53
Phoenix
The soldiers were running.
I felt it—like something had snapped.
The force that held them in place… it was gone.
Lia turned, Rigg and Toma flanking her, and the relief on her face was palpable.
A pull tugged at me—up the stairs. Toward open sky. Toward her.
Caelen and Lacey moved at my side.
Lacey was bleeding, one arm wrapped tight.
