Page 129 of Tainted Souls

We exchanged a look and started to climb. Finally, we reached the grass ground outside the castle.

The snow was starting to melt. The moons were coming down.

“Spring is almost here,” I told her, smelling the air and knowing I was right.

“That means war,” she replied.

“I know,” I told her.

The air was playing with my hair. It wanted to help.

Are you there? I thought out loud as I let the air lift us both. I did not call her name in case Lady Queill could hear it. We are leaving. I am going to find Jasmine and the others. I’ll save them from the queen if I must. Are you sure you want to say? You can come with us.

Orla replied so quickly that I doubted she had ever left my mind.

I will stay, she said.

Be careful, I said to her.

I heard the sounds of soldiers shouting.

Go! Orla said.

“They’re coming,” Xira added.

“They can’t stop us if you hold my hand,” I replied.

Xira squeezed my hand and smiled.

I took a deep breath and pushed us into the air using the wind that had always been mine.

---