Page 37

Pam had called to say that she was going to organise something called a camouflage suit for Sten. Cairn had one already.

Sten looked towards the open ground, a large field ending at a pine forest. His wings shifted behind him, the movement restless.

“You want to try flying,” I said. Instantly, I felt a bit silly – that was why we were here, after all.

“Yes.”

The word held so much longing that my heart squeezed. But the last time he had attempted it, his flight had turned into a crash at the bottom of a castle wall. I didn’t want that happening again.

“What happens if the effect of my blood wears off when you’re fifty feet in the air?”

His expression darkened. Clearly, he hadn’t considered that.

“Before you fly, walk away from me,” I said. “Slowly. If your skin starts turning to stone, stop and come straight back.”

“I am not an animal you are training.”

“No, dogs are much more cooperative.”

His glare suggested he didn’t appreciate the comparison, but he walked towards the far end of the lawn.

I counted his steps. Ten. Twenty. Thirty.

Nothing happened.

“How do you feel?” I called.

“Free.”

That wasn’t the answer I’d wanted, but it hurt more than I expected.

He continued walking until he was at least a hundred feet away. His skin remained grey and flexible rather than darkening into stone.

The blood was still protecting him.

I closed my eyes.

“Can you tell where he is?” Georgie asked.

I was about to say no when I felt it. A faint, warm pull drew me towards him. I lifted my arm and pointed.

“There.”

“Open your eyes.”

Sten stood exactly where I had indicated.

“That is unsettling,” I muttered.

“You’ll get used to it,” Georgie said. “I find it reassuring now. I always know where Cairn is.”

Cairn had moved several paces behind us. Without looking, Georgie reached back. He took her hand immediately.

They made it look simple. Natural.

I wasn’t there yet.

Sten spread his wings.