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Esther clutches her bead necklace in reverence. “I can’t believe I’m going to see two rocs!”
Leaf reaches to the center of the table and refills her glass. “Better start getting used to the idea, because you’ll be flying on one.”
Esther downs the entire glass.
My laugh is hollow alongside Ramona’s and Leaf’s as I glance to the window by the door. Nightmare has been busy passing along messages between Atlys and me these past few weeks. We agreed that he would flash a green light in the window three times as our signal.
We discuss the logistics, travel bans, the Jord Lord’s movements, and the sickness spreading through the Underlings. My eyes keep drifting to the door.
Every time the bell rings, my heart leaps. I expect to see white hair and silver eyes, or the sudden drop in temperature that signals Atlys’s arrival, the way the shadows in the room seem to bend toward him.
The ale goes warm in my cup. The celebration around us continues as Watchers laugh, sing, and boast about their new limit of channeling powers.
“He’s late,” Ramona says, voice gentle.
“He said he’d be here,” I whisper.
The orb above our table shutters, and the window next to the door remains dark.
Atlys isn’t coming.
45
The Mission Begins
“Ishould go alone.”
“Akemi, don’t be ridiculous.” Ramona crosses her arms.
We stopped in a clearing slightly south of Olwythion, packed and ready. Me with my golden staff, Ramona with her daggers, Leaf with his bow, and Esther with her… and Esther.
Leaf pats my back a few times. “Not a fucking chance. Not after what happened last time”
Not wanting to dwell too long on that thought, I turn to Esther. “You should go back. Truly, it was selfish of me to allow you to come.”
Esther blinks, then her expression changes. She straightens her shoulders and lifts her chin. “I would rather die than miss witnessing the makings of a legendary story.”
“Now that’s not dramatic at all.”
I ignore Ramona.
Esther takes a step forward, then places a hand on her chest. “My dad would have gone on this adventure. He went on many trips before moving to Goldenpine. I regret not visiting more. Heck, I barely visited at all. Gran was sick and… nevermind.” She clears her throat. “I’m coming with and I’m riding a stars-damned roc.”
Leaf blows a low whistle.
“Fine,” I relent. “You can come.”
“Great.” Ramona cracks her knuckles. “Now that we have that settled, again, when will the big birds get here?”
“I wouldn’t call them that.” Leaf puts his hands in his pockets.
“Why not?”
“You forget I have experience.”
They continue to bicker as the moon rises mockingly above the mountains, reminding me of the doom that awaits us if I don’t find the Cebalrai Stone. At least we have a plan and understanding of where the star stone is, unlike the moon stone. The Marfik is still missing without a single thread of detail from the stars. The Helios Stone is safe back at the Watch casting a protective barrier, though I hate that it’s in the hands of the Elder Superior Markus.
Wingbeats pound in the distance.
