Nothing answered.
The silence stretched until my jaw clenched, leaving only the growing strain in my arms and the faint tremor in my breath.
With a muttered curse, I spread my hands wider and thrust my arms forward.
Light and shadow flickered faintly at my fingertips—unstable and trembling.
I closed my eyes, focusing on expanding the fragile form when a voice shattered the stillness.
“Hey! You cannot be down here.”
My eyes flew open as a guard charged toward us, disbelief hardening into fury across his face.
“Vesuva, move!” I hissed.
The serpent answered with a low hiss, her body tightening as she prepared to strike.
The guard faltered, recognition flashing across his expression before he raised his Spirit Spear. Its tip burned with hostile light, aimed squarely at her.
“No!”
The air around me surged, closing in until my skin prickled and my lungs struggled to draw a full breath. Spectral wisps rushed toward my hands, fragments of spirit gathering in a restless storm around my fingers. They swarmed in a rush, winding around my arms and palms, forming a trembling veil of power that sent sharp pain lancing through my bones.
Still, I pushed forward.
The force burst from me in a blinding surge, light and smoke twisting together as it struck the stone with a thunderous crack. The impact tore through the wall, fragments of rock breaking free as dust and splintered debris filled the chamber before crashing back to the floor.
The sound echoed through the chamber, loud enough that the Veythar in the sleeping quarters above would hear.
The guard screamed as the shock hurled him backward, his cloak whipping around him as he struck the ground in a crumpled heap.
I blinked through the dusty haze to see Xylos jolting upright.
His gaze darted to the empty space where the wall had been, then to the fading spirits dissolving into the air.
“I was correct to assume you were not completely mortal.”
Ignoring him, my eyes scanned the chamber. “We must leave. Is there somewhere you can go?”
He nodded once. “If my wing remains unclaimed, it will serve.”
I turned wordlessly, Xylos following quietly behind me.
“Does Talon know?” he asked.
I shook my head, my throat so tight it felt like I was swallowing glass. I was relieved Xylos was standing, yes, but the weight of the truth I omitted was already beginning to crush me.
He reached out, resting a hand briefly against my shoulder.
“Thank you,” he said, the sincerity in his eyes unmistakable.
I gave a small, jerky nod and took a step toward the exit.
A wet groan tore through the stillness behind us. I spun around, my pulse spiking as I watched the guard’s fingers twitch against the obsidian floor, his shadow beginning to stir in the gloom.
He struggled upright, terror widening his eyes as he lifted his spear again—this time pointing it directly at me.
My heart skipped a violent beat, my feet rooted to the stone.