Within seconds, they were gone—chasing fire across the sky.
“Was it something I said?” Koorgan asked, frowning as his gaze followed the flaming dragon.
Orion’s smile faded. “Phoenix doesn’t just fly off like that. One of the Dragonlings is in danger.”
Koorgan threw back his head and roared out a command. The sound carried across the capital like a battle horn.
From the shadows, a black steed appeared—its hooves cracking lightning against the stones. Thunder rippled in its wake.
Drago squinted. “Is that?—?”
Orion narrowed his eyes. “That’s one of Nali’s lightning steeds.”
Koorgan grinned and swung onto its back. “Won it off Ashure last week in a game called poker. I’ll return it to Nali… eventually.”
Drago let out a long-suffering sigh, then shifted in a flash of black scales edged with gold, his massive dragon form spiraling into the sky.
Orion vaulted behind Koorgan. “Let’s go rescue Drago before he gets in trouble,” he muttered.
Phoenix soared, the world blurring around her. Through their twin bond, she reached again.
Spring.
Phoenix—we need help. Roam’s been drugged—they’re trying to take us?—
Phoenix’s chest tightened. Her jaw clenched.
Hold on, she responded. I’m coming. I can feel you—I’m almost there. Don’t give up.
Phoenix jerked as her sister’s piercing scream struck her as if it was her own.
Pain surged through their connection.
Spring’s voice fractured. He’s got me! He’s pulling?—
The link snapped.
Phoenix roared, the sound shaking birds from trees miles away. She tucked her wings and dove.
The scorched remains of a wagon came into view. Smoke still curled from the blackened shell.
There were figures below.
A man was dragging a girl with blood-slicked clothing from a hole in the ground.
Phoenix’s eyes blazed with the power of a supernova about to explode.
She landed with a wagon-shattering impact, fire bursting from her wings in a wide, sweeping arc that flung the marauders from their feet. Screams rang out as their weapons clattered away.
Smoke and ash swirled as she stepped forward, shifting mid-stride, fire receding as her humanoid form emerged—radiant, seething, unstoppable.
Power glowed through her skin, her hair floating around her like a halo of black flame.
A crossbow bolt flashed through the air towards her.
She didn’t flinch.
One hand rose.
