Page 126 of Ruby
“You would never cost me,” I say immediately.
He squeezes my hand. “I am better positioned guarding,” he says. “At the cave. At the lake. Protecting what we build. Not chasing hunters into open terrain.”
It’s not self-pity. It’s strategy.
Ree nods. “He’s right. Defense is just as important as offense.”
Olivia shifts forward slightly. “We need more strongholds like this one. Places that don’t fall the second we leave them. Wroahk and the Many Teeth are what protect this one. We will need protectors for at least one more foothold so we can push north.”
Szhe’ka meets my eyes. “I can be that.”
He’s not giving up. He’s repositioning.
I inhale slowly. “Fine. We all have our roles. Mine will expand as soon as I learn to fly without crashing into rocks.”
A faint chuff escapes Thivoll.
“Chicken,” Ree blurts out, then cackles.
“Hey,” I protest. “That was one time.”
Szhe’ka brushes what’s left of his wing against mine.
Even grounded, he feels like the sky.
And I don’t intend to leave him behind.
“Back to strategy,” Olivia says, as laser focused as always. “I was thinking—”
Azoeul explodes into the cave like a storm given legs, interrupting her.
“The serpent requires assistance,” he says without preamble. “The Silver human is destabilizing.”
The words slice straight through the warmth.
Szhe’ka is already sitting up. I’m on my feet a heartbeat later, pulse spiking. “What happened?”
“Heart instability,” Azoeul replies in his even tone. “The serpent cannot regulate her alone.”
We’re moving before the echo of his voice dies, out of the cave and into the sharp daylight.
Ree doesn’t hesitate. She turns to us. “Kira. Ani. You’re flying me.”
My stomach drops.
Kira blinks. “Right now? Have you seen us fucking fly?”
“Yes,” she commands. “Immediately.”
Thivoll’s roar splits the clearing. “No.”
The sound shakes the leaves overhead.
Ree’s voice doesn’t rise. It sharpens. “We do not have time for ground travel.”
“I will carry you,” he growls.
“You will be too slow,” she fires back.
