“Rubi, get inside!” she shouted.
Flame turned to face her and roared, shaking the cold air. The tyger gathered his haunches, ready to attack.
“No!” I cried. “Stay away from her!”
To my shock, Flame swung his head toward me and froze.
“You won’t hurt her!” Edith yelled. She swung the broom, its bristles cracking against his nose with a dull thwack.
The tyger let out a guttural roar, shaking his head violently, but Edith was already moving. Before the beast could retaliate, she darted to the side, faster than I’d thought possible, her boots barely skimming the frozen ground. The tyger lunged, but Edith twisted, ducking low beneath the swinging claws. Their shadows shifted in the moonlight.
In one fluid motion, she vaulted up his broad back, using the thick ruff of his fur as leverage.
Blake’s eyes narrowed. Justwatching.
The tyger bucked, trying to shake her off, but she leapt again, pushing off his shoulders and flipping over his head with agility. She landed in a crouch, spinning the broom and striking the beast’s knee joint in a sharp, decisive blow. The tyger recoiled, snarling, lips peeled away from knife-long fangs.
“Edith—” I lurched forward, but I was too late.
The tyger’s giant paw lashed out.
A sickening crack rang through the air as she went flying backward, crashing into the wall of the well and crumpling to the ground, unmoving. I screamed as Flame stalked toward Edith.
I skidded in front of her, my arms thrown wide, heart slamming in my chest.
“You want someone?” I said, voice steadier than it had any right to be. “Take me.”
5
Flame’s breath hit me in hot waves.
Slowly I lowered my hands toward the ribbons at my belt as his golden eyes flared silver again. He stared me down, tail lashing behind him like a whip.
He leapt.
I flung my ribbons to wrap his front paws, tripping him as I sprang to the side. I took off in a sprint, knowing the ribbons would buy me mere seconds.
I had to get him away from Edith.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. What did I say about running?” Blake yelled as he sprinted after me.
I made it six paces before I heard the tyger in pursuit. I looked over my shoulder, and saw Blake grab Flame’s dense fur as the tyger passed him and pull himself onto the tyger’s back in a startling feat of agility, strength, and magic, riding without a saddle or reins. To my horror, instead of stopping the tyger, he leaned forward and urged Flame after me.
What in the Kingdom of Sky is he doing?
The snow flew under my feet as I raced toward the cliffs, where I might have some advantage. My heart thundered, frozen air burning in my lungs. Moonlight cut through the trees, casting everything in cold silver.
“Stop running,” Blake commanded. “That’s an order.”
“Like hell,” I scoffed, but I was draining fast.
I put in a burst of speed and flew across the snow toward the cliff edge.
“Don’t. There is nowhere for you to run, Azure.” The haughtiness was gone from his voice. “You’ll die. Don’t—”
The stars blinked sharp and cold as I leapt and the ground disappeared beneath me.
My cloak snapped behind me like wings. I arched my back and pointed my toes in a perfect dive, cutting through the night air.
