Page 104 of The Unbound Witch

Bastian grabbed me in less than a second and took off for the edge of isle, Tor right behind us, shifting mid-flight as we lifted into the air, leaving that old witch behind, though we hadn’t managed to get the Fire Coven Grimoire. The sound of wings beating against the pull of the isle falling at an increasing rate was the most horrifying sound of my life. I didn’t dare look down as we got as far away as possible. I simply clutched the book to my chest and buried my face into Bastian’s.

“Thank you for coming after me.”

“I never was good with following orders, Miss Moonstone.”

I swallowed my laugh as I froze. “Oh no! Kirsi!”

41

KIRSI

The low whistle that Atlas let out as he leaned over the edge of the floating isle made Nym take an extra step back. Wind whipped over the top of the small outlying land as much as it had the day we’d come for our Trial initiation. The sparse land provided little shelter from the gusts as the ocean spray, even this high up, still found its way to us, leaving droplets on Nym’s cheeks.

“How are we supposed to get to wherever we’re going?” Atlas asked.

“How are we supposed to find it?” Nym followed, tying her hair back and patting the satchel along her side. She’d kept Talon close, always. But I’m sure the heights were unsettling to him. They were to me, and I had no chance of falling, or being blown by the gusts.

“Well, I guess I’m going to have to carry you, unless either of you have any other bright ideas?”

Atlas huffed a laugh. And then continued laughing. And laughing. Until tears ran down his cheeks and, if I were human, mine would have been red from anger.

I crossed ethereal arms over my chest as I swooped close to him, the blue from my haunted glow casting onto his pretty, scarred face. “Well then, if you have a better idea, let’s hear it.”

He stopped laughing and scratched his head, pinching his lips together so another sound wouldn’t escape. “We could try a running leap? Might make it in my wolf form.”

“I’m not interested in might,” Nym said. “I’ll go with you Kir.”

I hadn’t thought it through really. I’d carried a book for ages, but could I lift and carry something, someone, so large? I could carry Nym if I’d had to when I was alive. The pup though, he was a damn giant. I wasn’t even sure he was lighter in wolf form.

“Don’t look down,” I whispered as I scooped Nym into my arms.

“No shit,” she returned, clenching her eyes closed.

It took so much of my concentration to lift her off the ground, I’d begun to doubt the plan before I even moved. “Maybe once around this isle first, just to be safe.”

She nodded, but didn’t say a word as I lifted off. There was no weight. No muscles to strain, no problem lifting or carrying. It was simply the contact. Concentrating on feeling where our bodies connected as solidly as those tiny grains of sand I’d practiced moving on the human lands. I could do this. Easily, as long as I didn’t get distracted.

I soared over the edge of the isle before she could open her eyes. Thankfully, the sun hadn’t risen, so we didn’t have to worry about being seen as we glided between the gaps of the isles, searching. I’d considered the closest large one, but as I circled and found no waterfall, I had to move to the second. Slightly smaller and a bit higher, the pouring water on the back side was a sight for sore eyes as I pressed through it. Nym gasped at the chill.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said, clutching her stomach as she placed a hand against the wall and dropped her head. “Just need to get my body oriented and dry.”

“I’m going back for the pup. Don’t go up without us.”

“I won’t.” She lifted Talon from her satchel and raced away as I headed for Atlas.

He grinned as I approached, holding his arms out, as if I should just lift him to my hip like a child. I couldn’t help my giggle as I shook my head. “I don’t think so, Pup. You get carried the same way.”

“You’re going to cradle me like a baby? What’s the difference?”

“Less awkward if we get spotted.” I said, holding my arms out.

He looked down and back up to me. “You want me to just jump in?”

“It’s no less humiliating for me, wolf. Nym’s waiting.”

He shook his head and raised a leg. I reached below him and lifted him off the ground.