Page 80 of The Fifth Heir

He stood beside the final vane with both arms raised. Wind rotated around him in the opposite direction, drawing darkness away from the damaged platform.

“Talia,” he called. “I could use better news.”

“Torren is back in the center.”

Rafe looked past the connection as though he might see me through it. “He abandoned his gate?”

“Yes.”

“Then I suppose I have to survive long enough to mock him.”

“Reverse the third vane next.”

The silver light flickered.

Rafe moved.

Sebastian’s Shadow retreated from the Storm path as each vane slowed. Cracks remained across the platform, but the visible stone beneath Rafe’s feet widened.

“How does he return?” I asked.

“He has to stop all four vanes, but without the wind, Sebastian’s Shadow will settle inside his own corridor.”

“And Leander?”

“His water level is rising because he diverted Frost to your bridge.”

Everyone’s path remained connected.

Saving one of us endangered another.

“What do you need me to do?” I asked.

Talia shifted her free hand to Shadow.

“Sebastian needs light to rebuild his bridge. Can you send a low flame into his channel without igniting anything?”

“Not through the floor.”

“The hearth in the Fifth Wing changed when all of us approached. The channels may do the same.”

“That isn’t evidence they’ll carry my fire where you want it.”

“No.”

The answer held no apology. She was past asking any of us to protect our pride.

She had already asked me to build a bridge from ice and molten stone. It worked.

I placed my palm beside hers.

Clear light moved through the Fire channel and surrounded my hand. It did not smother my power or feed it. It held the heat without burning Talia’s fingers beside mine.

“How low?” I asked.

“Enough to illuminate, not burn.”

I released a small flame.