40. Thirty-Seven

Thirty-Seven

A New War

A sher carried Sand on his back, having promised Emery he would get her brother to the perch while she warned her people. He had just begun his ascent at the back of the line of people when he heard someone above them scream. He looked up and spotted Lily on her knees at the edge of the cliff. Her body contorted as red feathers spread across her body.

"I must help Lily," Asher said, setting Sand down. "You follow these people and get into the cave, understand?"

Sand nodded. "Promise."

Asher turned just in time to see a red eagle tumble through the sky—Lily, now a red eagle and completely inexperienced at being one, hurdled toward the ground. He sprinted and dove with his arms outstretched, barely managing to catch her.

The eagle's chest heaved.

"Breathe," he urged. "I know the first transformation is painful, but I've got you."

Lily's breath finally began to even out.

"There you go." He smiled. "Guess what? You're some sort of red eagle."

She turned her head and spread her wings as she got up on her feet.

"All you have to do is think about being a human again," he said. "Focus on having legs and arms. Imagine what you looked like before the transformation. It shouldn't hurt as badly returning, though your first few transformations will cause some form of discomfort. Focus on me. You can do this."

Lily's bones reluctantly slid from one position to another, but she managed to return to her human form.

Bashton came sprinting over in the form of a cheetah, but he jumped through the air and when he landed, was a little boy again. "That was so amazing! It won't hurt as much after a few times. Trust me."

Asher reached out and took Lily's hands. "Do you feel like you can stand?" he asked softly.

"Yes." She used him for support to get back to her feet. "Asher, he's got a dragon."

"What? Who?"

She pointed to the sky. "Liam."

Asher followed her finger, and his eyes widened when he saw the dragon headed toward them. "I didn't think dragons still lived. How did he get one on their side?"

"That's not the question. We should be asking how we can possibly defeat a dragon," Lily corrected.

"We don't." He faced her. "This is why your mother warned us to evacuate. We need a distraction while our people escape. I can run—"

"I'll fly up to him," Lily cut in.

Asher shook his head. "You don't know how to fly. It will be easier—"

"I'll learn." Lily sucked in a breath and, far easier than she should have been able to her second time transforming, she was an eagle with red feathers and a white head. She spread her wings and started pumping them.

"Lily, this is too dangerous!" he objected. "You don't know how either Liam or the dragon are going to react." He tried to grab her but missed. "Lily!"

She flew up into the sky, and not a moment later, her father appeared overhead in his eagle form.

I'll be right alongside you, Khalil said .

You can talk to me?

Of course. Asher hasn't?

Asher rolled his eyes. "In my defense, I thought she was human!" he called.

Khalil continued, You're going to feel the wind tugging on your wings. The most difficult part is knowing how your wings are going to make you turn in the air. You'll find, however, that flying will become second nature. This is a part of you now. Spread your wings and feel the air.

Asher growled and transformed. Khaili, she wants to go talk to Liam and try and get him to back off. He's on a dragon! The dragon could eat her in a bite!

Maybe it's time for the tree to be found. Maybe we should let Merete out, Lily replied. The further she soared into the sky, the dimmer her voice grew.

Asher ran toward the dragon, knowing Lily was likely headed in that direction. You can't be serious. Why would you want to release ...And then it struck him. If the humans were convinced Merete could be freed from the tree...then her mother could as well. Oh, Lily. Your mother sacrificed herself. Are you listening to me? Lily! He skidded to a halt when the shadows of the trees shifted and moved, much like the shadows he had seen in Demon's Pass.

He took a step back.

He had left his people behind to get to the cave while he had chased after Lily, and if those shadows were demons, his people were at risk. He cast one last desperate glance into the sky to see Lily far in the distance, headed for the dragon.

I hope you know what you're doing , he said, then turned and ran back to his people before the demons could.