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“Before you tell me it’s too dangerous, that is why we are going together.”

He studies me for a long moment, his jaw tightening. The stubbornness in his eyes almost mirrors my own.

Finally, he lets out a slow breath. “You’ve already decided.”

“Yes.”

Silence settles between us before he rubs a hand across his face. “The Cave of Silence lies beyond the western ridges.” His voice lowers. “There have been more Southern militia reported in the region. Not to mention an increase of Underling attacks popping up all throughout the Northern Continent.”

“We know.”

“No,” he says sharply. “You know where it is. You don’t know what awaits around it.”

Leaf folds his arms. “Then come with us.”

Castor gives a humorless laugh. “I was planning on saying exactly that.”

Relief loosens something inside my chest.

Ramona grins. “That’s the smartest thing you’ve said all year.”

Leaf balks. “I say plenty of smart things.”

“You mostly bark orders. Solarball and otherwise.”

“They usually work.” Leaf shakes his head with an amused sigh, and Esther’s head swivels back and forth like she’s watching a live Telling.

Castor whistles, and Tarrick returns almost immediately.

“Commander?”

“Take Lux back to the Watch.”

The Watcher blinks. “Sir?”

“My place is with them.”

Tarrick hesitates before accepting Lux’s reins. “Yes, Commander.”

Castor pats the stallion’s neck. “You’ve carried me far enough.”

Lux nudges his shoulder, almost reluctant to leave. Then Tarrick leads him away toward the eastern trail.

Leaf whistles toward the rock formation. A heartbeat later, a shadow glides over the clearing.

Taman. The enormous roc lands with a rush of wind powerful enough to whip dirt into the air. His bronze feathers shimmer beneath the moonlight.

A second cry echoes overhead. Heru circles once before folding gleaming white wings and settling beside him. The two birds lower themselves instinctively.

Castor stares. “I keep forgetting those things exist.”

“They’re offended by being called things,” Leaf says just as Taman clicks his beak.

Within minutes, our packs are secured. Castor climbs onto Taman behind Leaf, given the larger roc could handle the weight of two fully grown men. Esther settles in front of me atop Heru. I climb into the middle, wrapping one hand around the leather harness, and Ramona holds on from behind.

Heru shifts beneath us, which is our only warning. “Hang on!”

The birds leap, and the ground vanishes beneath us, their great wings kicking up a cloud of dust. Mountains roll endlessly toward the west, and the air grows colder with every passing minute.