Page 18 of Tailwind

‘Ninth place, Thorne. Bach placed fifth. Get back to the aviary and we’ll see to the broken comms later. There was some of the old Thorne in that race, nicely done.’ Hector’s message barely cut through the fog in my head.

Thorne’s recent races had been so bad that ninth didn’t earn him criticism. I shuddered as the disgust rippled through me, knowing just how far he’d fallen.

Roaring crowds welcomed the top three riders as they took to the podium. As much as the helmet tried to lower their volume, it kept climbing. The small island in the centre of the lake was swarming with people. Casters captured the moment, projecting gigantic versions of Quinn, Jas and Ellas on to the banners hanging on the cliffs.

Thankfully no one bothered us during that time. Many of the other riders flew by their team’s grandstands, decorated with the sponsors’ logos and filled with dedicated fans. Bach was already disappearing into the gloom of the cave ahead of me, only the whip of an orange tail for me to follow behind.

We swooped down into the basin and landed on the cave lip. A few Volitant staff rushed forwards to take the reins, but I waved them off. I didn’t want anyone taking these last moments away from me.

I stayed quiet as Gottyk walked us back through the tunnels to the aviary. I took it all in, the feeling of the suit and armour, the view from dragonback and the feeling of having just finished a race. Ninth. I could do better if given another chance. I could win.

I unhooked myself from the saddle and slid off Gottyk’s back, failing to shove the longing for more out of my mind. The fact that Thorne hadn’t called a halt to the race meant he hadn’t made it out of the aviary. At least I had that going for me. We entered through the double doors to a still and silent room. He hadn’t woken up at all.

I let go of the reins, allowing Gottyk to wander over to the water trough. I closed the doors behind us and placed my forehead against the solid wood, the metal of my helmet – Thorne’s helmet – making a dull thunk.

My arms hung limp as I stared at my feet. The adrenaline I’d been using had run out. I was empty. Everything was sore. My shoulders refused to relax, my legs felt permanently bowed and my neck had been used as a whip for almost an hour.

A shaky deep breath was all I could manage. I had to do my real job. Gottyk needed his gear taken off, cleaning and feeding. The aviary needed packing up to be ready for the travel team to come in and move it all to the next circuit in just a few hours.

With trembling hands I pressed the latch by my chin, releasing the helmet from its constraints. I pulled it off and breathed in the warm air. Thorne would ensure I lost all of it.

I turned the metal chunk in my hands. Thorne’s number, eighty-two, painted in white on the side. The helmet looked up at me, no longer filled with the white glow behind the eyes.

My breaths got shorter. Without the visor everything seemed blurry. The flight suit cooling system turned on again. I couldn’t feel the helmet through the gloves despite the force feedback … my fingers couldn’t feel anything.

The door shuddered open and banged against my foot.

‘We need more pellets for—’

I staggered back, the helmet clanged on to the floor. Rosinder’s keeper, Josie, stood in the ajar doorway. Her mouth was open as her eyes passed over me. She met my gaze. I wanted to move to stop her from calling someone. I needed to do something.

I couldn’t.

I couldn’t breathe.

My mouth opened, trying to gulp down air, but it wasn’t enough. The blurring got worse as I bent over, tugging at the collar of my suit. I heard the door close. She’d gone to tell someone. Bach. My hero would know me as a liar.

‘Stand up.’ Josie’s words were firm, but the touch on my shoulder was gentle.

I did as I was told.

‘Good. Lift up your arms.’

I hesitated.

Josie took my elbows and pushed upwards, making me hold my arms out to the sides. ‘It opens up your posture, helping you get air into your lungs. Now, deep breaths.’

She paused, watching me with a calmness that was far out of my reach.

‘Tell me how you dress down Gottyk.’

I turned the question over in my mind. I started reeling off the routine. As I spoke, Josie left my side and followed along. She started undoing the clasps on his riding gear and hung it up in storage, her long glossy hair somehow staying out of her way without being tied back. Gottyk watched me, his eyes flicking nervously from my head to toes.

‘Then I brush him down.’

Josie picked the short wire brush.

‘Not that one.’ I selected Gottyk’s favourite and joined him in the stall, moving automatically. I’d finished brushing down his front left leg before I realized Josie had stopped.