Page 57 of Veiled

“Hold onto his scales between your legs.”

As soon as I have a solid grip, he stands back up, and Josh runs up his front leg and takes his place in front of me.

“I could have gotten up on my own, ya’ know?” I say, my pride making me reluctant to admit I wasn’t sure I would’ve managed without help.

Josh smiles back at me, “I’m sure you could have, but Deimos is a gentleman and insisted. Now, snuggle up close, he’s still working on his take-offs without throwing me.”

“What? Seriously?”

“Nah, but he is incredibly fast, so you really should hold on.”

My stomach does a little flip, and I tighten my grip on Josh’s waist, ready for whatever comes next. The wind picks up, and Deimos gives a soft rumble, almost like he’s waiting for the go-ahead from Josh. When it comes, we take off in one smooth motion.

My breath catches as the ground drops away beneath us. I hold onto Josh, hoping this ride won’t end with me splattered across the hard ground.

After a quick ascent, we level out, and I manage to get in my first full breath since take-off. Scion looks like a tiny toy castle below us as we fly North and the greenery of the forests gives way to sandy beaches and water as blue as the sky on a clear summer’s day.

I haven’t been to the beach since Mom was still around.

“This is…I’m just…speechless. In awe. There aren’t enough words for this.”

“Yeah,” Josh says in understanding. “You’re doing better than I did. I almost pissed myself on my first ride.”

“If I were with anyone else, I probably would have too,” I admit.

“Aww, you still trust me.” Then his mockingly sweet voice turns mischievous, “Now, hold tight and don’t close your eyes.”

I don’t have time to ask any questions.

Deimos dives down the edge of the cliff that drops off into the ocean at breakneck speed. The wind whips through my hair, and the mist from the crashing waves below splashes against my face.

I can’t contain the screams and laughter that bubble out of me, even as we level out again.

“This is incredible. I don’t think I ever want to land.” I tell Josh, my smile still spread from ear to ear.

“I’m guessing this means you’re planning on picking riding as one of your tracks?”

“Definitely,” I reply without hesitation.

“Let me guess—Spell Casting for your other?”

“Ha! Definitely not. Vanguard, but I need to work on my hand-to-hand, or I won't make it.”

“No offense, but the busted lip and purple eye kinda gave that away. Why isn’t Matt helping you?”

“Oh, he will be. You know me, had to try to figure it out on my own first.”

I’m pretty sure I hear him mumble something about stubborn women under his breath, but I can’t be sure.

“Have you seen Lucas yet?” I ask, knowing their rivalry may have died when they graduated, but the disdain remains in full force.

“Yeah, you should have seen the look on his face when I walked into Strategy. Fucking priceless.” He chuckles, clearly proud of himself.

“Ugh, I wish I could have seen that!”

“He still have a stick up his ass about you?”

“Oh yeah. And now he has a new band of goons helping him.”