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"I wish I could tell you. Much of this I've only learned recently. So much of our lore has been lost. Alyx was attempting to track down more knowledge, but I don't know whether he's even still alive."

Right, Alyx. The mysterious third alpha, the guy who lives as a cat.

"And if we can't stop this whole cycle from happening... What then? The end of the world?"

"It will certainly become a place where light and love only exist as mild whispers beneath an overwhelming thunderstorm of darkness and suffering."

"Sounds a hell of a lot like my life back home," I say.

“Then I’m very happy you’re here,” he replies with a smile so genuine it speeds up my pulse, making me want to punch something—preferably myself.

Goddammit.

The walls of Niah's tent are pulled up, turning the structure into a canopy. Two gryphs lay in the shade nearby, preening and nuzzling each other as they wait for their riders. Inside, Azin and another man, an omega, are sitting and speaking to Niah. As Airos and I approach, she gestures for us to come and join them.

Both Azin and the other man are dressed in matching burgundy cloaks ornately stitched with hundreds of translucent aqua beads made of some kind of crystal or glass, and their faces are painted with fine linework, like a henna tattoo. It feels like we've just walked in on a wedding ceremony.

Azin's eyes light up when he sees us coming, and he hurries over to us, chattering and gesturing like an overly excited orchestra conductor. Then he throws his arms around our shoulders and walks us into the tent. The omega drops to his knees and bows his head to the floor as we approach.

"Uhh, hey?" I say.

"I think that's his mate," Airos says.

"This is Onar, the omega of Azin," Niah says. "Together, they are shaman."

Onar gets to his feet and Azin moves to stand with him, his gregarious demeanor suddenly becoming serious, almost solemn. They link arms, clasp hands, and touch their foreheads with two fingers of their free hand, then bow to us, all in one completely synchronized movement. The words they speak are also in perfect unison, almost like a chant.

"They say they are honored to bring the Shalkek before the Shimat," Niah translates.

The two gryphs are saddled and readied with water and supplies.

"Any chance we can get an extra one of these guys?" I ask.

"For what purpose?" Niah asks.

"Well, it'd make the ride a little easier, not having to share. I'm probably extra heavy, you know? I think he'd appreciate it, right boy?" I pat the gryph's haunch and it nuzzles my hand with its beak.

"They are strong," says Niah. "They can carry many times their weight. Do not be concerned."

Azin and Onar have already climbed on top of their ride, with Onar seated in the front between Azin's protective thighs. Azin whistles a short command, and the gryph chirps in response,rising to its full height with a graceful motion. The creature shakes its magnificent head, rustling its neck feathers to dislodge the clinging sand, its golden eyes alert and ready for the journey ahead.

Airos climbs into the saddle. "I'm afraid you're stuck with me, Jackson," he says. "Besides, do you really want them to give up more of their precious water just because it excites you too much to ride with me?"

"The fuck? That isnotit, bro. Not it at all."

"Okay." He gestures to the open space in front of him.

Son of a bitch. Why would he even say that?

I grab hold of the saddle and haul myself up into place between his legs. I can feel the shape of his body against my back and my ass.

Shit.

But riding behind him again is out of the question. I'm still sore from being smashed against him like a drunk stripper on a telephone pole. I try to inch myself forward as much as I can to get some space between us, but the gryph's powerful haunches flex beneath me as it rises, and despite my efforts to latch on tight with my knees, gravity betrays me and throws me back against his chest. I quickly grab the reins before he can reach around me to take them.

"I've got it," I say.

"Go ahead," he replies.