Weak sunshine filtered through the clouds, leaving the Nightsong mountains in a strange kind of half-light. Serena took very little notice of her surroundings as she stood on the edge of the cliff. Looking down, she watched as pebbles tumbled to splash in the pool below. Her heart thundered in her chest, and though she thought she was breathing normally, it seemed as though she wasn’t getting any air. The red-gold wings were still a strange, if not uncomfortable weight on her back. The trio of Bronwynn, Zanna, and Siobhan… along with Altus… assured her they were fully functional, meant to carry their kind over long distances with ease. I know they’re not lying, I have seen each of them, and others, fly. Even small children play in flight. That doesn’t mean I can do it. She fought to get her breathing back under control. “You want me to do what?” Serena cocked her head to the left and met her advisor’s gaze. “Jump, princess.” “Altus, if you want me dead, there are simpler ways to go about it.” “I don’t want you dead.
