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N ix spread her wings over the glittering sea, her body dangerously close to water that might still hold the sea kynd assassin.

Vahly! she shouted through her mind, hoping the telepathy gained from Vahly’s bond with Kyril would still work. Are you alive? Please answer us. Arc will come for you. I will get backup from Queen Cassiopeia. Keep fighting, my girl!

A surge of desperation threatened to drop Nix right out of the air. If she lost Vahly, she’d have lost so much more than a savior for the world. She’d lose her dearest, darling friend. Her wings shuddered as she veered toward the coast.

Kyril flew circles above the spot where Vahly had last been seen, where the sea kynd had grabbed her and pulled her into the waves.

He keened, the feathers and fur on his neck and head puffed to make him appear larger.

He was roughly the size of Amona, so the sight of his claws extended and his fierce eagle eyes made even Nix feel a stab of fear.

The gryphon’s head turned this way and that as he searched the white-tipped expanse for Vahly’s golden head.

It burned Nix’s already shattered heart.

Arc stood not far from Kyril’s circling shadow. Bared to the waist and bootless, the elf was weaving a powerful spell for himself. The magic—spinning tendrils of dark purple and pinpoints of brightness—would supposedly keep him well and hale for an extended period under the sea.

Nix landed beside Arc, shaking her head, her eyes threatening to give way to tears. She didn’t want to waste time transforming so she spoke to him telepathically.

Can you hear me, Arcturus?

He lifted his chin, magic churning like spilled paint around his fingers.

Arcturus’ slightly canted, elven eyes held a world of sorrow, bloodshot through and over-bright.

Every moment Vahly was missing was another step closer to his death.

She knew well what grief could do, how it scraped the soul bare, and Arcturus wouldn’t handle it well.

Despite his age and the mysterious and dangerous edge to him, he was one of those eternal innocents, heart laid plain for the lashing. Poor fellow.

I can hear you, he said. No sign of her?

Nix’s throat clenched and she took a shaky breath, Kyril’s cries ripping at her chest. None. And she didn’t answer me. I’m off to find Cassiopeia and secure you some non-dragon, salt-water-proof backup. Can they all weave a spell like yours and somehow find you down there?

The thought of venturing into the black pit of death that was the ocean had Nix shivering.

Not all of them will be able to cast this spell.

But Cassiopeia will and the Council members as well.

Those who cannot can be protected by those who are able.

My kynd know where Tidehame is, and I can only assume the sea kynd male will bring Vahly there, to see Queen Astraea, so we will head that way.

Arc’s magic peeled away from his hands and shimmered into his body, dissolving and disappearing.

He stepped forward and put a hand on Nix’s snout.

She tipped her head and nudged his chest, wishing she could help him bear this more easily, but she was too overcome herself and didn’t have much more to give.

Hopelessness was like night approaching, darkening her sight of what they had to do, what they must at least attempt.

Kyril landed clumsily beside them, then crowded into the warmth of their little circle, his body so much larger than the two of theirs.

He lifted his beak and shrieked into the cloud-swept sky, and Nix finally lost her hold and wept openly.

Arc’s trembling hand slid to her shoulder, and through tears, Nix could see Arc’s other hand pressed to Kyril’s chest. The gryphon bowed his head, beak touching Arc’s shoulder.

Please take him with you, Arc said. He must be kept busy .

Kyril flashed an image of Vahly’s face as she’d been captured. His liquid eyes found Nix’s.

We will find an army for our girl, Kyril. Perk up. We have hope still! Nix forced life into her words even though they felt foolish and sad and far too small.

I must go, Arc said, breaking away and walking toward the rocky shore. He raised a hand. Once I free Vahly, we will meet you at the Lost Valley. May the wind carry you quickly!

With that, he leapt from the coast in a wide arc, turning once in the air before diving into the broken blue of the sea.

Nix extended her wings, took a few steps, then lifted from the ground, amazed she could manage flight as heavy as her heart sat in her chest.

Kyril squawked, then sprang upward, soaring into the sky, his gray-blue wings like a storm following in Nix’s wake.

Surely the elves would be quick to join Arc. Their magic was Vahly’s only chance at escaping her watery grave.