From the outer edge of the darkness, Cassi cursed, torn between returning to her body and remaining the ethereal dreamwalker, torn between wanting to protect her friend and needing to learn the raven’s secret for her king. They’d been together for an hour already, and she was no closer to finding out what he was hiding.
She was supposed to be standing guard at the entrance of the cave. She was supposed to be watching her best friend’s back. If they were found, it would be her fault. If anything happened to Lyana, it would be her fault.
Yet standing there in her invisible body, a bit of pride burst from her as she watched her princess pull a knife on the prince, holding the blade so close the edge dug into the skin of his neck, nearly slashing it.
She doesn’t need my protection.
Not anymore.
Although Lyana often preferred to live in the clouds, her feet were very much grounded on the isle. She knew when to push her limits and when to protect them at all costs. And Cassi liked to think she had a little hand in that.
Not sparing them another glance, confident in her friend, Cassi flew back toward her body by tugging on the line tied to her soul. But she didn’t sink into her skin and end the dream. Instead, she burst through the entrance of the cave, still little more than air as she raced into the channel.
She saw no one.
Drifting with the wind, she rose higher and higher, until she was even with the sky bridge. And there, she spotted who had made the call.
A flock of ravens.
There were ten of them, maybe a dozen, and they were traveling fast—traveling straight toward her. At the front, she could see a man, strong grooves of determination carved into his stony face, eyes sharp as they swept over the frozen tundra.
It was only a matter of time before they reached the edge. Only a matter of time before they saw the cave, if they were looking hard enough.
Cassi dove, crashing back into her body so that she woke with a gasp, bolting upright, scrambling to separate reality from the magic. She blinked, once, twice, then reached for the quiver on the rocks and latched it to her back. She flattened her wings to the wall at the edge of the opening and drew back until her tan skin was even with the shadows. Taking a calming breath, she lifted her bow and notched an arrow.
Then she waited, arms steady, fingers itching to release, ready for the first raven who might pop into view.