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We exit the quarters with Sandy and me leading the way and Vitai at the back of the line.The group gawks at the window archways that give views of the ocean.Up here, in the higher part of the palace, the long mossy creepers that grow from the summit hang like strings of beads over the windows.The roar of the water spouting from the top is louder, but it’s not as deafening as where the flow accumulates in the waterfall that crashes on the broad rock ledge in front of the Great Hall.

The humans chat excitedly as I lead them down the spiral staircase and through the hallways with their illuminating stone walls.We stop in the Great Hall to admire the statues and the view of the cultivated hills with the wild jungle beyond.Vitai amuses them by reciting all the names of the kings and queens eternalized in stone.

“These statues are so detailed they almost look real.”Irina trails her fingers over the intricate folds of a queen’s gown.“Who made them?”

“A family of village artists,” Vitai says.“With their power, which is passed down through generations, they can chisel in stone anything they lay their eyes on.”

“Interesno,” Irina says under her breath, studying the stern stone faces.

Vitai is generous in divulging information about the Alit and their powers.I’m not sure the king or Aruan will appreciate that.They seemed inclined to share as little as possible with the group from Earth.Maybe Vitai thinks it doesn’t matter if the humans learn more about his culture and people.Perhaps he figures they’ve already seen a lot of Zerra anyway.

I walk to the waterfall and stop a few paces away, unsure if I can do it.But it turns out to be surprisingly easy.I don’t even have to focus hard for the water to part, revealing the bridge against a peachy, misty morning sky.

Wow.That’s so cool.

“Well done, Elsie,” Vitai says next to me.“Your power is strong.”

I glance over my shoulder.The humans are still engrossed in the statues and the views.They haven’t seen me parting the water, and the noise of the waterfall is drowning out my conversation with Vitai.For all they know, it was Vitai who opened the waterfall.I haven’t told them I’m an Alit.I don’t want them to think I’m not on their side, not when I want them to return to Earth as much as they want to leave this world.

I look at Vitai, who’s fallen quiet.He’s studying me with crossed arms and a deep line running between his eyebrows.

“Any Alit can do that,” I say.

He raises a brow.“Not any Alit.Seeing that we have guests who shouldn’t leave, Aruan put a seal on the waterfall.It takes a great power to break such a strong barrier.”

“Is that why you came with us?”I scrutinize him.“To open the waterfall?”

He doesn’t answer, but I don’t miss the guilt that flickers in his eyes before he wipes it away.“Aruan would’ve opened it for you.”

“But he’s not here, is he?”

He turns his face toward the horizon.“You would’ve found someone in the palace to help you.”

Is it me, or is he hiding something?“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“It’s not my place to tell you anything.”He cuts a sideways glance my way.“That’s Aruan’s privilege as your?—”

“Mate.”I roll my eyes.“Yes, I know.”

Vitai doesn’t reply.

“Come on,” I call to the group.“We only have ten minutes on the bridge.Let’s not waste it.”

The women stare with apprehension at the sheer drop.A swing bridge with wooden boards and ropes on the sides spans between the palace and the cliff on the other side.A circular platform in the center serves as a lookout point.

Karl goes after Sandy and me, and the rest follow.They cling to the dewy ropes that serve as rails as we make our way to the platform.

Vitai hangs back until the last person has walked onto the bridge, which happens to be Eucabeth, and then he falls in step behind her.

I stop on the platform, gripping the thick ropes in both hands.Mist hangs over the land.The trees are so tall their tops pierce the white fog that envelopes the sea and hills like a soft cloud.Above it, streaks of orange and pink are painted across the sky.A few stars are still visible in the purple band that separates night from day.

I fill my lungs with the fresh morning air, inhaling the scent of forest moss and salty ocean.Like before, the oxygen infuses me with energy.I’ve never felt healthier or stronger.

Sandy leans on the rail next to me.Her gaze is trained on the distance as she asks in a low, serious voice, “Any news about sending us home?”

“I was going to speak to the queen, but then the rockslides happened.”Heat climbs up my neck as I give her only half the truth.“We came back very late.I’ll try today.”I turn around, facing the hills, and rest my elbows on the rope.“Don’t worry.I’ll get you out of here.”One way or another.

She observes me with an earnest expression.“What about you?”