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V ahly led Arc above the ocean city, the tower she’d been tortured in looming in the near distance.

Her earth magic pulsed inside her.

She stopped, hand to the spot beneath her heart, the place where she felt the tug to go to the Lost Valley and where she could almost feel her connection to Kyril, bright and burning.

What is it? A wrinkle appeared between Arc’s eyebrows.

And then Vahly knew. My earth magic is telling me to save General Ryton, the sea kynd male who rescued me. I don’t understand, but I have to. She searched Arc’s features for an argument, but she only found his typical curiosity.

Who?

Ryton. He saved me. His queen threw some sort of horrible magical net over him up there. He gave himself up to free me. And my earth magic is telling me to keep him alive.

Two sea kynd guards with scarlet spears blasted from a three-level building. “Stop or die now!” they shouted in the dragon tongue.

We’ll die anyway. Might as well go for it. Vahly upped her speed, begging this foreign power to answer to her will.

Agreed. But I’m going to attempt something, so swim in a straight line.

Arc spun inky darkness and sparkling light even as his legs kicked powerfully through the water.

Then he disappeared.

Vahly missed a stroke, turning.

Straight! Keep going! Arc was still there, just invisible.

Then his magic surrounded her, swathing her in light and a quiet hum that she hardly noticed over the earth magic drumming deep inside her and the water magic rushing through her blood and in her ears.

She could still see her own body, but she supposed the guards couldn’t see anything, because they both hung suspended, hovering and looking left and right, faces bunched in confusion.

Now, Arc whispered into her head. To the tower, yes?

He was such a good one. He didn’t argue a bit about her wanting to rescue a mortal enemy. Yes.

Guards swarmed the area around the tower, their spears at the ready and their magic coursing through the chilly currents that passed across the cell’s entrance.

Ryton lay on the floor of the broken prison cell. He shuddered as they swam inside, his body leaking blood from countless wounds. The net sparkled across his form, deep blue and pulled so tight that Ryton’s flesh bulged between the strange fabric.

Arc made a growling sound inside Vahly’s head. What is on his back?

I don’t know. It has been with him the entire time.

Foul magic seeps from it. It is bent, wrong, very dark. I don’t think we should touch it. At all.

Don’t have to tell me twice. When she’d first seen the black creature riding Ryton’s back, she’d thought perhaps it was just a sea kynd thing. But none of the others wore such a beast. Perhaps this was how Ryton had managed to crawl onto land.

The net lifted, seemingly of its own accord, but most likely because an invisible Arc was trying to cut an opening.

Ryton’s eyes didn’t open. He had no idea they were even there. His face was pale as milk, and his bones seemed to press against his bleeding skin. He did not look good. The male was not long for this world unless Arc had some kind of fantastic solution.

Is it cutting your skin? Vahly asked. There was too much blood in the water to be able to tell if Arc had injured himself as he tugged at the net.

A dagger appeared where she guessed Arc’s hand worked. He sliced the net and began pulling it away from Ryton slowly, carefully. Vahly joined in, peeling the trap from her combination captor and savior.

Ryton groaned and blinked.

The net began to burn Vahly’s fingers and palms. She hissed and pulled them back. Arc, she said warningly.

I know. It’s burning me too. But I think we can get him out before it executes a deadly amount of damage. The magic feels as though it’s very…focused.

Astraea spelled it just for him, hmm?

Seems that way, Arc said.

Well, they have a really interesting history, unless I’m mistaken.

Vahly went back to work alongside Arc, and finally they had the net completely separated from Ryton’s shivering body.

I’m going to partially heal him now. Arc’s deep voice was tight, full of nerves. Will he try to kill us when he wakes from his stupor?

Vahly kept an eye on the guards, who swam not twenty feet away. I really hope not. That would put a damper on our escape.

I only want to secure his survival, not completely mend him to his fullest capabilities, Arc said.

Vahly nodded even though none could see her. Good plan.

Rising onto an arm, Ryton opened his eyes, but they rolled back and he slumped forward again. There was a subtle shift in the cool water flowing across Vahly’s face, then Ryton too disappeared.

I’ll take his right arm, then you feel for us and grab his left, all right? Vahly moved forward, hands outstretched. Only Ryton’s blood remained to mark where he’d been.

But you must avoid contact with that foul thing he carries.

I don’t know if we can. Well, maybe if I put an arm around his waist and just have his arm over my neck.

When they had him securely supported, they shifted him out of the cell and started off, dodging guards and keeping quiet.

Hopefully, Ryton would remain hazy and silent.

If he woke, well, she didn’t want to think about fighting him in his own element and trying to explain that they were only there to help.

Oh, and there was the invisible thing. Yeah, it could get very tricky.

Vahly glanced over her shoulder, watching for guards.

But none trailed them. Not a one.

This is too easy, she said.

Vahly, I adore you, but you can keep that opinion to yourself. Maintaining the magic necessary to swim and breathe down here as well as healing both of you and speeding through this nightmarish place is far from simple.

Oh, Arc. I’m so sorry. You’re right. I just feel like you’re invincible.

I am not, sadly.

Let me take Ryton. With this new body, I am fine to carry him. Swimming is like walking.

Vahly, do you feel you can reverse this change in you once we make it to land?

She winced. I have no idea.

After swimming in silence for an eternity, Arc’s breath began to sound in Vahly’s head.

Are you all right?

Tired. A bit tired.

It was all the magic he was doing. Let go of the invisibility. We’re out of their city and haven’t seen a warrior or guard in a while.

Arc and Ryton shimmered into view. Arc’s mouth hung open like he was panting as he swam.

The rocky northern coastline, most likely a spot near the Jade palace, showed black and turbulent not four hundred feet away.

Vahly’s heart surged, and she tried to speak telepathically to Kyril. Kyril, I am alive. I will see you soon. Her throat convulsed. She’d thought for a while that she would never see her familiar again.

But there was no answering image as was his form of communication. Still he was too far away. Or perhaps it was the water or her form.

Stones and Blackwater, please let me find a way to change back.

Arc hissed a warning as three figures swam out of the dark depths to the south, just behind them, aiming right at Arc.