XXVII

He turned to face the Princess. Her smile was a placid, kindly curve, but her eyes held a strange, unsettling sparkle. "That's our Commander," she said, her voice smooth as silk, "ever the efficiency expert. All Mages and Beasts shall convene here at Ravenhold to strategize our search for the Warden Stones." For reasons she couldn't pinpoint, the Princess's gaze made Kara's skin crawl. She hastily erected another mental barrier, damming the flow of her power.

While every passing second granted Arak more time to recover his strength, the Princess's decision to grant them a week's reprieve was a welcome blessing. The following day, they swam in the lake, where even Viola deigned to pad through the shallows. That evening, they endured a stuffy, formal supper with the Princess, the air thick with unspoken protocols. The real celebration happened later, a relaxed pajama party in Kara and Lyra's room. At Reya's suggestion, Anya was invited, ensuring they could all simply drift off to sleep whenever exhaustion claimed them.

Kara and Lyra were midway through a fruitless game of I-Spy when Kara fell silent, her expression suddenly solemn.

Without trying to breach the Aether Mage's fortified thoughts, Lyra chirped, "Kara?"

Kara hesitated. "Lyra, do you think Haken was telling the truth about those mechs?"

Lyra considered this for a moment. "Of course! Why would he lie? He's our man on the inside!"

Kara chuckled softly. "It's just... what he said about the Seraphim Fatale. Limitless power? It sounds insane. How can even the Fated Mages stand against something like that?"

Lyra snorted. "He was probably exaggerating that part. No machine has limitless power. That violates the laws of science, magic or no magic!"

Kara laughed at her sister's blunt logic, but a sliver of unease remained lodged in her mind.

Changing the topic deftly, Lyra said, "Hey! Have you had any visions about the Sacred Beasts yet?"

Kara's shoulders slumped. She shook her head. "No. Not since we arrived."

"Well, when you do, I want to be the first to know!"

Kara smiled. Just then, a knock at the door made them both laugh. "Duh," Kara said, "I practically forward them straight to your brain!"

Throwing the door open, Lyra exclaimed, "Let's get this party started!"

A few days later, with the "grown-ups" away, Anya was consumed by boredom. Aden had taken the others for what he called 'intensive training,' but Anya suspected it was just a pretext to escape the unnerving Princess and her pompous advisors. Sighing, she rose from the chaise lounge in her room and slipped into the hallway. Viola had vanished hours earlier, leaving Anya without even her feline companion for company.

A spark of mischief lit Anya's eyes. She decided to cause just enough trouble to ensure they wouldn't dare leave her behind next time. A wicked grin spreading across her face, she set a course for the dungeons. Perhaps, she mused, the Dragon of Might could use a little stroll.

The two brawny Sentinels guarding Kael's cell were dozing at their posts, and Anya knew they would be no match for the performance she was about to give—a performance worthy of "Anya the Amazing," a title bestowed by Reya and Aden two years prior. Taking a deep, steadying breath, Anya composed her features, unleashed a bloodcurdling scream, and hurled herself down the stone steps. As predicted, the guards jolted awake and scrambled toward the commotion.

As one of them knelt beside her, asking, "What is it, miss?" Anya executed a perfect swoon. Then, with expertly feigned terror, her eyes flew open. "Oh, it's horrible!" she gasped. "Hundreds of Arakians! Marching on the fortress from every direction! I saw them from the upper window!"

The Sentinels exchanged a panicked glance before their heavy boots clattered up the stairs. As the thinner of the two guards hurried past, Anya's nimble fingers skillfully lifted the ring of keys from his belt. Once they were gone, a slow, methodical clap echoed from within the cell.

The enigmatic Dragon stepped into the light, an appreciative smile gracing his immaculate features. "Bravo," he said, his voice a low rumble. "A truly stunning performance. For a moment, you almost had me convinced."

Anya gave a theatrical bow, her mind already racing. After unlocking his cell, she led him down the corridor to a hidden stairwell. It opened onto a narrow ledge overlooking the vast, moonlit lake. Without flinching, Anya hopped out onto the precipice.

Kael let out a low whistle, taking in the breathtaking view. "So, what's our next move, oh wise and powerful Anya?"

His playful tone was infectious. She smiled, gesturing out across the water. "We fly, of course!"

As Kael gazed into her sparkling blue eyes, something stirred deep within him. The Dragon of Might, the Sacred Beast bound to his soul, awoke and strained against his control. This girl... the Dragon snarled in his mind, she is more than she appears. Kael silently agreed. Best to keep her off balance, he nudged back, reluctantly ceding control to the ancient creature.

Kael's grin widened as he leaned back and simply dropped off the ledge. A moment later, a majestic silver dragon beat its powerful wings, soaring back up to the ledge where Anya stood, her initial gasp melting into a delighted smile.

Well, come on, miss! his voice echoed in her consciousness. She took a shuddering breath and leaped, catching hold of the proffered silvery talons.

They wheeled high above the lake before the Dragon executed a breathtaking dive. He pulled up at the last possible second, his tail carving a glittering wake in the water below, and Anya shouted with pure glee. "Higher!" she cried as he shot upward again, climbing directly toward the moon. Laughing, Anya reached out a hand as if to touch the stars.

He halted their ascent, confident she would understand his thoughts. When I bring you back, I have to leave. I'm not safe here. Trust me, it's for the best.

Take me with you! The ability to project her own thoughts came to her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I want to have an adventure! All I ever do is read books and play with my cat. I'm so bored!

Her thoughts wavered for a moment, and Kael gently probed deeper. He saw flashes of images: sterile rooms, somber-faced doctors, and heard hushed whispers of a chronic illness. He saw the truth in an instant—her time was running out. Suddenly, a wall slammed down in her mind, shoving him out with surprising force as she verbally commanded him to take her back. Startled by her mental strength, Kael obeyed, gliding down to the lake's shore.

I assume you can find your way back from here? he asked, the illusion of the dragon dissolving as he shifted back into his human form.

Anya gave an indignant sniff and stalked away. But after a few paces, she spun around and rushed back, throwing her arms around his waist just as his human form fully settled. With tears welling in her luminous blue eyes, she whispered a farewell. Kael smiled softly as he watched her sprint back toward Ravenhold. The moment he turned away, her frantic shouts echoed from the castle, and he knew the actress had returned to her stage. The Dragon stirred within him again, trying to decipher the nature of the strange bond that had just been forged between them.

After spinning a fabricated tale of Kael manipulating her mind, Anya was escorted to her room to 'rest.' She wasn't exhausted, however; she was bored again. And curious. Something strange had happened deep inside her when Kael had looked into her eyes. She made a mental note to ask Reya about it. And the thought of Reya sparked another idea.

The mischievous grin returned to her face. Slipping to her door, she listened until the corridor was quiet. Reya's room was only two doors down. Anya found a simple locking spell barring the entrance and silently cursed her dull-witted governess. Skillfully, she unwove the magic and crept into her mentor's quarters like a shadow. The suite, which Aden had designed for Reya a year ago, was clean and conservative, decorated in serene sea-greens and aquamarines. A pang of nostalgia hit Anya as she recalled how happy they had all been before Reya left Ravenhold to become Base Commander at Everwood, so far away from her and Aden.

Pouting at the memories, Anya wandered into the bedroom. The bed was made without a single wrinkle; everything was in its proper place. And then she saw it—a ragged leather notebook lying on the nightstand, a stark contrast to the room's pristine order. Why would the meticulously organized Reya keep something so worn? Her curiosity piqued, she picked it up. Her mouth fell open as she read the first page. It was Reya's diary, started over two years ago.

Anya scanned the first few entries, which were mostly tirades about how infuriating Aden was. She laughed out loud and settled in to keep reading, about to gain a completely new perspective on their relationship.