“Can you take me to him?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as worry pressed in on her again.
Breeze’s expression turned serious. “We have to go to the village first. My parents will want to know who you are.”
Adaline’s shoulders dropped. “Can’t I go look for him first? Please—he could be hurt.”
Breeze hesitated. “We’re not allowed to go into the deep woods without permission. It’s… dangerous there.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, the misty wind curling around their feet.
Finally, Adaline gave a stiff nod. “Fine. I’ll come to the village. But afterward—I’m going to find him.”
Breeze nodded, turning toward the steep, winding path that led down the cliffside. “We’ll help you.”
Adaline glanced back one last time, toward the forest across the water.
Hold on, Bálint. I’m coming.
Turning, she reluctantly followed the children down the twisting, flower-laced path—toward the village, and whatever waited for her in the heart of this strange and beautiful isle.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sticky silk clung to Bálint like a second skin.
Every time he breathed, the threads pulsed with a strange life of their own. Every time he burned one, it reattached—quicker than he could move. His right arm was free now, but that minor victory had taken a ridiculous amount of time, and every movement sent new strands stretching toward him with eerie determination.
He blew a narrow stream of fire at the web trapping his left arm and immediately jerked upward, trying to pull free.
Too slow.
The silk recoiled, then snapped back around his elbow.
Goddess’s flaming feathers! he growled inside his dragon. Try again.
I am! his dragon snapped, shooting another quick burst to burn the strand again.
This is ridiculous.
His dragon snarled, every part of them twitching with frustration. I bite. I burn. I fight!
You need to let me out. Maybe I can break us free.
No! I get free!
You already had your turn, Bálint muttered, sensing the sweat beading at his dragon’s brow. Your big entrance landed us in this mess.
His dragon huffed. I like see you do better!
Keep trying, then.
He gritted his teeth and tried again—burn and yank. It took precision and speed, and he was tired. The strange energy of this place was draining, threading through the air like invisible resistance.
Then he felt it.
A shift.
A whisper in the air.
His dragon went silent. Still.
