Page 3

Chapter

Three

Volten

T he academy vibrated with the energy of hundreds of cadets rushing between classes. I sidestepped a cluster of first-years still tipping their heads back at the soaring ceiling of the main hall as the inclinator zipped up the curve of the winding stairs. Had I ever been that young or that naive?

"Watch your step," I cautioned Kann as a pair of Drexian warriors-in-training barreled past us, their bulk nearly jostling him as he navigated beside me on his still-healing leg.

Kann merely grinned, that infuriating expression he'd worn since our academy days. "My leg is fine."

"You nearly bled out not so long ago," I reminded him, my voice lower as we passed beneath the stone arch adorned with the curved wings that marked the entrance to the School of Flight. "No one would blame you for sitting out this mission."

"If you're suggesting I let Torq have all the fun, you've lost your mind," Kann replied, nodding at a group of cadets who straightened to attention as we passed. "Besides, who else will have your six like I will?”

The loyalty in his voice stirred something inside me.

We'd been through hell together more times than I could count, from our first nerve-wracking days as academy cadets to surviving the maze trials side-by-side to finally working together at the academy.

If I was being honest, I wasn't sure I wanted to face this mission without him either.

He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve bailed me out plenty. It's my turn to have your back.”

I groaned, memories flooding over me. "Like that time on Vanaheim when you nearly started a civil war by sleeping with the prime minister's daughter?"

"And his wife," Kann added with a wince. "Though not at the same time."

"I had to fly us out through an electrical storm while you hid in the cargo hold!"

He shrugged, unapologetic. "And I've been paying you back ever since." His expression softened. "But you know those days are behind me now. I'm a one-woman Drexian."

I studied my friend's face, noting the change there. The perpetual glint of mischief remained, but there was a steadiness and a certainty I'd never seen before. As hard as it was to believe, Britta had transformed him.

"She's good for you," I admitted as we exited Flight to the outdoor shipyard. "I've never seen you this settled."

"That's one word for it," Kann replied, looking almost bemused. "Happy is another."

The familiar scent of engine oil and exhaust fumes greeted us as we stepped into the cold. The bitter wind whipped off the Restless Sea, carrying salt and the promise of a storm. Dark clouds massed on the horizon, the skies as gray as iron.

"Will you miss it?" I asked quietly as we crossed the pockmarked paving stones.

Kann didn't hesitate. “The females? Not for a second. You know as well as I do that when you find the right one, that’s it.”

I nodded, thinking of Ariana. The ache of missing her had become a hollow throb beneath my ribs that nothing could fill. The thought of her out there, flying without me as her wingman, made my hands itch for controls.

“I wish we'd heard from them," I muttered as the sleek outline of our ship came into view. “I know they have to fly silent, but…”

"They're fine," Kann assured me, though I caught the edge of concern in his voice. "Ariana could outfly half the Drexian fleet with her eyes closed."

That was small comfort, considering that she’d be encountering Kronock pilots, not Drexians.

Our banter died as we spotted the group waiting at the foot of the ship's loading ramp. Fiona stood with her arms crossed, her expression brooking no argument, while Jess stood beside her checking inventory on a data pad. Both women wore flight suits and carried duffels.

"No," I said immediately. "Absolutely not."

"Hello to you too, Lieutenant," Fiona replied coolly, her wavy blonde hair whipping in the wind. "Lovely day for a rescue mission, isn't it?"

Kann stepped forward. "What is this?"

"This," Fiona gestured between herself and Jess, "is us joining the mission. Unless you'd prefer we commandeer our own ship?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache building. "The academy can't spare more instructors. You're needed here."

"I tried that argument," came a voice from behind, as Admiral Zoran strode toward us, his expression unreadable. “The captain was persuasive.”

"With all due respect, sir—" I began.

"Save it, fly boy," Fiona cut me off. "Vyk is out there. I'm going."

"And Morgan needs her strategy team," Jess added, her eyes glinting with determination as she looked at Kann. “Not to mention that Torq probably needs me to knock him down a peg or two.”

I opened my mouth to argue further, but the sound of running footsteps made us all turn. Britta sprinted across the yard, her silver hair flying behind her.

“ Grekking hell, I was afraid you’d left already,” she gasped, skidding to a stop beside Kann. She carried a pack and wore what looked suspiciously like modified battle gear.

Kann's face softened at the sight of her, but he shook his head. "Britta, no. You're still recovering."

"So are you," she countered, poking him in the chest. "You're crazy if you think I'm letting you out of my sight again."

I watched my friend's resolve crumble beneath her determined gaze. The notorious playboy of the Drexian Academy, brought to heel by an Iron with silvery hair and a stubborn streak wider than the Dellevian chasm.

"We don't have time to debate," Fiona interjected. "Our last three transmissions to the rescue team have gone unanswered. We need to get airborne."

"Protocol is radio silence," I reminded her, even as dread pooled in my stomach.

“My gut tells me they need us,” Fiona said.

I glanced at the sky, calculating jump trajectories and fuel requirements. If we left now and pushed the engines beyond what was generally accepted, we might catch them before they reached their destination, and before whatever danger awaited them there.

Fiona was right. I didn’t want to waste another moment arguing. If the females wanted to risk their lives, I would not fight them. I doubted I could stop them even if I tried.

"Let's move," I ordered, all argument forgotten. "Wheels up in ten."

Admiral Zoran stepped forward. "Find our people and bring them home, Lieutenant. All of them.”

Kann and I snapped to attention, fists thumping across our chests in the traditional Drexian salute. Then we watched the admiral walk away, his master’s robes billowing behind him.

"We'll find them," Kann assured me in a low voice, as we followed the others onto the ship, the steel ramp rattling under our boots.

I nodded, unable to voice the fear that had taken root.

Ariana was the best pilot I'd ever known, but even the best could be outgunned, outmaneuvered, or taken by surprise. I shoved those thoughts away as I sank into the pilot’s chair, focusing instead on the pre-flight checks as the others stowed their gear.

The familiar ritual calmed me, the methodical testing of systems acting as a balm to my frayed nerves.

But beneath my calm was a single truth. I would tear the universe apart to find Ariana and bring her home.