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“Go!”

“But they’ll kill you!”

Hipatia looked over her shoulder, her eyes glowing a bright yellow. “You must take her home.Now. I don’t have time to explain.” Hipatia turned to face the guards, raising her hands in front of her and sending a shimmering wave of yellow light towards them. She did not turn back to face me, but over the shouts and calls of the guards she cried, “NOW, ROOK!”

I scooped Elara up in my arms. The guards were held back by the shimmering yellow shield that Hipatia continued to manipulate in the air before her. But she wouldn’t be able to hold them back for long. It was hopeless. We were outnumbered.

I threw out my wings, and with a single heavy swoop I shot into the thunderous sky. I rose higher and higher, above the flames and the screams and the smoke. Rain met my tear-stained face as I flew, and it took me several minutes to realize I was flying in the wrong direction.

I banked to the left, over the dark forest, towards the mountain range. Over the mountains and past the jungles. And then I would be home.

I looked down at Elara’s face. Her eyes were still open, unseeing. I kissed her forehead, feeling fresh tears well up as her cold skin touched my lips.

“I’m taking you home,” I whispered to her. “I’m going to take you home, and lay you in the ground where you can see the ocean, where you can see that turquoise water you dreamed of. You’ll see it every day now. And I’ll meet you in my dreams, just like you said. Just like we promised each other.”

On and on I flew, and still she remained lifeless in my arms.

So small, and so very far away.