Page 170 of Wings of Ash & Flame
They moved carefully across neutral ground, the human chain keeping them stable as other teams scattered along the different colored paths radiating outward. When they finally reached the perimeter, they released each other’s grip and took stock of their options.
Paths stretched in every direction like starry rays of purple, pink, and navy.
“Solflara,where are you?”
“In some horrendous iridescent bubble meant for our fliers to retrieve us.”
A rush of heat poured through the bond.
“My flames are bouncing against the shield.Whatever magic they’re using,it’s strong.I’ll keep trying.”
“No—don’t burn out before we’ve even started.Holdon.”
“Kaia, can you get Hadrian to summon lightning? We need to locate them. Solflara’s flames can’t break through whatever shield they’re in.”
“Guess your phoenix isn’t the end-all, be-all now, is it?” Caius muttered.
Alaire ignored him, scanning the twisting paths.
Kaia’s face scrunched in concentration. “Keep your eyes peeled for any flickers of lightning.”
Hadrian’s lightning drew from the natural electricity around him, which was why Alaire hoped he could project it past the barrier.
At first, she saw nothing in the swirling sky.
“There!” Kaia exclaimed, pointing to a bolt that cut through the clouds, leading directly to one of the navy paths.
With their direction confirmed, they left the safety of the circular ground and moved single file along the narrow navy path that stretched into the distance.
“Keep moving,” Dawson urged.
The navy path gradually darkened, transitioning through an ombre gradient until it became solid ebony beneath their feet. Above them, the stormy sky churned ominously. Hadrian’s lightning ceased when a bright magenta door materialized ahead, the Consortium’s sigil emblazoned at its center.
The door stood firmly shut. They all took turns yanking on the handle—nothing.
“There’s something here,” Kaia said, crouching to examine it more closely. Her fingers traced along the underside. “Fingerprint imprints. Four of them. One for each of us, I think. It must be why there are so many paths. Each team can only open one door.”
Caius moved beside her until his side brushed hers. “Smart.”
Alaire’s eyes narrowed at the contact, though Kaia didn’t step away or seem to notice.Ugh.
Dawson crouched to get a better look at the handle.
After several attempts, they discovered the sequence: all four index fingers pressed simultaneously, in alphabetical order—Alaire, Caius, Dawson, then Kaia.
The door swung open, revealing an entirely different world beyond. Dense forest stretched before them.
Clustered together inside a transparent shield were their celestials.
Relief flooded through the bond so powerfully it nearly knocked Alaire backward. Without another thought, she sprinted through the door toward her phoenix.
“Alaire, stop!” Dawson called, but she was already past the threshold.
Pine needles and damp grass filled her nostrils as she pumped her arms, lungs burning as she pushed herself faster, Solflara almost within reach.
She brushed tentative fingers across the bubble. A faint buzzing filled her ears, but no pain. Taking a deep breath, shestepped forward. Her body felt slimy passing through, but when she emerged on the other side, her leathers were pristine.
“Finally.” The majestic bird’s feathers glowed softly. “I’ve been stuck with these drooling males.”
