Free Wings of Lomay by Devri Walls Page A

wouldn’t it? Alcander strolling around Meros.”
    “That’s not what I was really asking.”
    Kiora glanced sideways. Drustan was leaning up on his elbow, looking at her curiously, his face mostly in shadow. “Then what are you asking?”
    “He is bonded with you. Are you bonded with him?”
    She slid down the trunk and pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. “I think I am.”
    Drustan smiled. “Good. Someone deserves to be happy.” He shrugged and rolled onto his back. “Even if that means it has to be Alcander.”
    Kiora chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Will you be glad to go home?”
    “Yes, I will. There are some Shifters I miss very much. And my waterfall,” he mumbled, resting his head on his arm. “I miss my waterfall.”
    ***
    EMANE TOOK THE LAST watch. He shook Kiora awake as the sun rose. “Let’s go.”
    Kiora pushed herself up, looking around camp. “Any problems?” she whispered.
    Emane shook his head. “Nope. They are definitely planning on getting into the city.”
    “Let’s get this over with,” she groaned.
    The flight back seemed longer as she anticipated what was to come. Drustan landed outside the entrance that Kiora had instructed be manned from the inside.
    She pulled the bubble that was currently concealing their group up and over the perimeter of the entrance, ensuring that none of their threads escaped. Emane dismounted and causally strolled to the side of the stone door, facing the Shifters. He prepared his bow and arrow, but left it by his side—looking as causal as possible.
    Kiora walked past him to touch the entrance. Magic flared out, running up and around the edges—the sign to open it.
    The stone slab rumbled as it slid to the side. The Shifters’ attention immediately fixated on the sheeting magical protection. Nobody moved.
    Drustan, having shifted to human form, pushed to the front. “I will go first to show you what to expect,” he said. As he passed through, the magic seized him. It poured around him, searching, and then released its hold.
    Killian stepped forward. He clenched and unclenched his fists as he walked. His breathing was labored, but he bravely stepped into the magic. It reacted the same as it had for Drustan. Once he was safely inside, a collective sigh of relief moved through the new rebels. They relaxed, smiling at each other and gripping one another’s hands.
    The next Shifter boldly stepped forward, one of the three in question. The smile on his face was closer to a smirk and his chin was pulled up in the most confident of poses. The barrier stopped him. The colors immediately changed from pinks and blues to blood red.
    Kiora cursed—she had truly hoped they were wrong. She turned her head away as the magic melted flesh from bone.
    The Shifters cried out, looking about in alarm. The mood changed instantly.
    Kiora dismally looked back at them. “I warned you what would happen to any who weren’t really with us.”
    Two Shifters near the middle of the group began to change, sprouting wings as they turned to flee. Emane pulled up his bow. His first arrow exploded forward and caught one of the fleeing Shifters in the back. The second arrow was dispatched close behind. The Shifter it was aimed at threw a bubble, but it was too late—Emane’s arrow found its target. The Shifter’s bubble dropped almost as soon as it went up and he collapsed to the ground with a thud , an arrow protruding from his neck.
    Erina, who had warned them of the trio of traitors, turned to face the jittery group. “You know as well as I do the magic spoke true. If you are truly here for the Solus, you have nothing to fear.” Turning, she smiled at Kiora. She threw her shoulders back and walked into the magic. It searched her, and she walked unharmed into the city.
    The rest of the Shifters were allowed into the city, much to Kiora’s relief. Once everyone was through, she looked back at the two dead bodies sprawled across the