A lone Easterly swishes around me, and I focus on its song, searching for some clue to what happened.
It’s only singing one word, but it knocks me to my knees.
Sacrifice.
“No!” I scream, stumbling to my feet and tearing into the Maelstrom.
She wouldn’t do that.
She wouldn’t give up her life that way.
I won’t believe it.
There has to be another explanation.
“Hey!” Solana shouts over the screeching, grabbing my good hand as we stumble into the spinning tunnel. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m here if you need me.”
I know she is. And it’s nice to have something to hold on to.
But it’s the wrong girl.
The wrong girl.
Please tell me I didn’t save the wrong girl.
Especially since I’m the one who sent Audra here. If I’d listened to her . . .
I stop myself from finishing the thought.
Right now I need to focus on finding her.
A dim glow finally appears ahead, and I take off running, racing straight for Arella’s cell.
She doesn’t respond to my call, and when I peer through the mesh curtain, I can see her collapsed on the floor. Her skin is a freaky gray-blue and her arms and face are all twisted with pain and when I try to shove the curtain aside it won’t move, no matter how hard I try.
“Stop!” Solana tells me as I pound and kick and scream all kinds of things my mom would kill me for saying. “Os told me a word when we were up in the mountains and the Storms were closing in. He didn’t tell me what it meant or what it was for but . . .”
She whispers something I can’t understand, and the curtain of metal slides to the side.
I scan the small space, desperately searching for Audra or Gus. But no one’s here. Not in the other cell either.
“I think I feel a pulse,” Solana tells me, her legs shaking as she crouches beside Arella. “But it’s really weak. . . .”
“We have to get her back to the winds.”
Arella weighs almost nothing, so I could probably carry her even with my bum arm. But I let Solana help me, grabbing Arella’s feet while Solana grabs her shoulders and we haul her outside and stretch her out on the sand.
I didn’t expect her eyes to pop open with her first breath of air—though that would’ve been nice. But even when I wrap her up in Westerlies, she’s still not getting any better.
“Come on,” I whisper, crouching down beside her. “You have to wake up. You have to tell me what happened.”
I stare at her cracked gray-blue lips, trying to work up the courage to do CPR. But as I’m leaning down to try it, the Easterly from earlier tangles itself around Arella and starts to spin so quickly that it lifts Arella’s limp body off the ground.
Solana and I both back away as the wind spins even faster, turning Arella’s form to a blur.
“I think it’s helping,” Solana says.
I’m trying to figure out what she’s seeing when the wind unravels, streaking into the sky as Arella drops back to the sand, coughing and hacking.
“Liam,” she screams, flailing her pale arms as she pulls herself up. “Liam, I . . .”
Her voice trails off.
The wind is gone.
“Where are Gus and Audra?” I ask, grabbing her shoulder so she’ll look at me.
“It’s so much worse than I remember,” she groans, hugging herself and rocking back and forth.
I don’t have time for her games. “Where’s Audra? You called her here and now she’s gone—and Gus is too. Tell me what happened.”
“I called her here?” Arella asks, staring at the sky. “I don’t remember. I don’t . . .”
Shadows settle into her features.
“I had no choice,” she whispers.
I tighten my grip, feeling my fingers sink into her skin. “What does that mean?”
“Raiden.”
“What?” I scream, lunging for Arella’s throat. “I trusted you! I—”
Solana blocks me, and I’m shaking too hard to resist.
Audra was right.
I never should’ve asked her to come here. And now she’s . . .
“Where is she?” I whisper, afraid I already know the answer.
Arella stares at the sky. “Raiden took her—but I didn’t have a choice! He told me to call Audra or he’d . . .”
“Or he’d what? Kill you?” I ask, wishing Solana would step aside so I could strangle Arella myself. For once I think I’d be able to. “Looks like he tried to do that anyway.”
“There are some things worse than death, Vane. And I knew Audra had the power of four. I thought she’d be strong enough to fight Raiden. I didn’t think he’d be able to take her.”
“Take her where?” I yell as she closes her eyes, shivering again.
“I’m not sure. It feels like he built a pipeline right there”—she points to a dent in the sand about a hundred yards away—“and launched her and Gus somewhere very far away. I’m guessing his fortress in the mountains. That’s where he always took the others.”
I want to cry, scream, punch something really hard. But I don’t have time for a meltdown. If Gus and Audra are in Raiden’s prison, I have to go—now. “Where is his fortress?”
“You can’t go after her, Vane.”
“Tell me where it is!” My scream echoes off the foothills, but Arella doesn’t even blink.
“I can take you,” Solana offers quietly. “I know the way to that city better than anyone. We can leave as soon as you’re ready.”
“I’m ready.”
She touches my wounded arm—her fingers barely brushing the skin—and a sharp pain ripples through my body. “You’re hurt, Vane. You need to get treated.”
“I need to get to Audra.”
“She might not be in as much danger as you think,” Arella interrupts, and I swear if I had the energy I would drag her back down to her cell.
“She’s with Raiden!”
“Yes, but . . . I don’t think she has what he wants anymore.” She closes her eyes, waving her hands through the air. “Don’t you feel it?”
“Feel what?”
It almost looks like she’s smiling as she tells me, “She broke your bond.”
I clutch my chest, trying not to believe her.
But I don’t feel any sort of pull.
Is that why her trace feels so weird in the air?
Tears stream down my cheeks before I can blink them away, and I realize I’m leaning on Solana way more than I want to. “Why would she do that? Why would she . . .”
But I know the answer.
“To protect the Westerlies,” I whisper.
Audra would never let the fourth language fall into Raiden’s hands. So if she was afraid she couldn’t protect it, she would just get rid of it.
“Does it even work that way? Can she forget it completely?” I whisper, not sure what answer I’m hoping for.
“I don’t know,” Arella admits, closing her eyes. “I didn’t know bonds could share languages. But it feels like it.”
Everything is spinning too fast and I . . .
“So, we’re not bonded anymore?” I ask as Solana helps me sit on the sand.
“She isn’t.”
“What does that mean?”
God—for once could she just answer a question completely?
“It means that you’re no longer a part of her. But she’s still a part of you. Unless you decide to let go. . . .”
She rubs the skin on her wrist, where her bracelet used to be.
Her link.
I always thought it was sad the way Arella clung to her connection to her husband, despite the fact that he was gone.
Now it gives me hope.
I’ll be holding on to Audra with every ounce of strength I have left.
I close my eyes, taking slow breaths.
I will get Audra back. And I’m going to bring Gus back t
oo.
But to do that we have to move fast.
Every second counts.
CHAPTER 44
AUDRA
It’s cold in the tower.
Chilled air seeping through the bars of my narrow window.
Thick frost coating everything I touch.
Raiden offered me a blanket when he tossed me onto the rough stone floor and barred the heavy iron door. But the only thing I want is my freedom, and since he’s not willing to give that, I’ll find a way to take it.
I’ve combed the walls for the guide Aston mentioned, but he must’ve carved it into a different cell. Maybe the one Gus is locked in. Wherever it is, I’ll find it.
In the meantime I keep my back to the wall, never sleeping—barely breathing. Listening to the mournful wails of the broken Northerlies and promising myself that when Raiden comes for me, I’ll be ready.
He doesn’t believe the secret is lost.
It’s why he’s kept me alive.
Why he’s kept Gus alive.
Waiting for the right time to break me.
But it’s gone.
Everything is gone.
Everything except the gentle breeze I can still feel brushing my skin. Wrapping around me. Still determined to shield me.
I don’t deserve its loyalty.
But in this dark, frozen place, far away from the warmth and peace and things that hurt too much to think about, it helps to have something to hold on to.
And even though I can’t understand the words it sings, I have a feeling I know the theme of its melody.
Hope.
CHAPTER 45
VANE
The Gales are declaring a victory, but it feels like a defeat.
The rescue workers are still pulling people from the rubble, and the entire valley is in a state of emergency.
Only seven guardians remained after Os eliminated the last Living Storm, and three had serious injuries. But it’s enough to hold down the base while they call for reinforcements.
I told them I don’t have time to wait.
Arella and Solana popped my elbow back into place—which sucked a whole lot more without Audra there to distract me.
But thinking about her hurts more. Way more.
Gus too.
I have no way of knowing if they’re okay, but I have to believe Raiden won’t do anything to them.
They don’t have the power he wants.
All he can use them for is bait to try to trap me.
And I’m heading out tonight.
I wanted to go alone, but with my arm down for the count, that probably wouldn’t be a good idea. So I’m bringing Solana and Arella.
Arella, because of her gift—and because every time I let her out of my sight, she manages to betray us.
And Solana to guide us to Raiden’s city—and because I need someone I can trust.
Os wanted to come too, but someone needs to stay here and figure out what to do about all the destruction in the valley. The people in the desert deserve our help and protection. We can’t make up for what they’ve lost, but we can make sure it never happens again.
It was the first real order I’ve given. The first time Os obeyed without question. First time it made sense to be called Your Highness.
It still felt weird.
But I think I’m ready.
I’ve bandaged my arm.
Texted my parents a quick update, followed by about fifty more texts answering all my mom’s questions—she wonders why I never text her.
All I have left to do is change.
The uniform the Gales gave me has gathered dust for too many weeks. It’s time to step into my role.
The pants aren’t so bad—but the jacket is just as itchy as I thought it would be, and it hurt like hell slipping it over my arm.
And I’m not growing out my hair so it can be in some ugly braid.
But I’m a Gale.
A guardian.
And I’m getting Audra back.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish I could thank every single person who’s supported me as I’ve worked to bring this series into the world. But since I don’t have the space for that, I want to start by thanking you—yes, you. The reader. If you’ve made it this far you’ve obviously read the story, and that is the greatest gift anyone could give me. I’m truly grateful that you’ve shared this piece of your time, and I hope you’ll continue on for the rest of Vane and Audra’s journey.
*pauses for a group hug*
My acknowledgments also wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t call out a few people who really go above and beyond to inspire me and guide me every day. I’m sure I’m probably forgetting some of you (and if I am, blame deadline brain!), but for now I’ll say:
To Miles (a.k.a. The Most Patient Guy in the Universe), thank you for bearing with me through all the long drafting days (and even longer drafting nights), for pretending not to notice how many times I wore the same frumpy sweatpants, and for never complaining about being left alone with the cats. I truly have the best husband ever.
To my parents (a.k.a. The Dream Team), thank you for loving these books as much as I do, for the plethora of rides to and from the airport, and—most important—for understanding when I disappear down the drafting rabbit hole. I’m so glad you’re always there when I resurface.
To Laura Rennert (a.k.a. Super Agent Extraordinaire), thank you for helping make this dream come true, and for guiding me through the many complicated realities that come with it. I am so grateful you’re only an e-mail away. Thank you for always replying.
I also must thank Taryn Fagerness (a.k.a. Co-Conspirator in My Plan to Take Over the World) for bringing this series to so many amazing countries, Lara Perkins (a.k.a. The One Who Helped Me Discover Haboobs) for inspiring me in surprising and hilarious ways, and the rest of the Andrea Brown Literary team for being an awesome support group.
To Liesa Abrams Mignogna (a.k.a. the *real* Batgirl), thank you for the constant support, the lightning-fast reads, and for being Vane and Audra’s number one advocate. I don’t know how I would ever survive these deadlines without you. Thank you for making this job fun.
I also want to thank the amazing people at Simon & Schuster (a.k.a. Team Awesome) who work so hard to prepare and promote my books, especially Katherine Devendorf, Regina Flath, Bethany Buck, Mara Anastas, Paul Crichton, Siena Koncsol, Carolyn Swerdloff, Emma Sector, Julie Christopher, Mike Rosamilia, Michelle Fadlalla, Venessa Carson, Anthony Parisi, Ebony LaDelle, Matt Pantoliano, Michael Strother, Lucille Rettino, Mary Marotta, and the entire sales team. Massive thanks also go to Angela Goddard for designing my breathtakingly beautiful cover and to Brian Oldham for his gorgeous photography.
To Kari Olson (a.k.a. Number One Drafting Cheerleader), thank you for giving me the confidence to keep going and the guidance to keep me on course. I also greatly appreciate how very many inappropriate jokes you resisted making. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you. ;)
To Sara McClung and Sarah Wylie (a.k.a. The Sara[h]s), and to C.J. Redwine (a.k.a. Queen of Wisdom and Absurdity), thank you for being you. Life gets busy and sometimes months slip by, but somehow you’re always there when I need you most. I will do my best to return the favor.
To Faith Hochhalter (a.k.a. The BookBabe—because there really is no better title), thank you for the apparently unlimited supply of knowledge, encouragement, and general brilliance. I’m grateful for every second of Faith-time I get.
To Heather Brewer (a.k.a. The Rock Star), thank you for coming through with a hilarious interview when I needed it, and for all the ways you prove your overall awesomeness. To Kiersten White (a.k.a. The Voice of Reason), thank you for always pointing out the many ways I make things so much harder than they should be—and for all the awesome lunches. To Debra Driza, Kasie West, and Amy Tintera (a.k.a. Two Blondes and an Introvert), thank you for going on an adventure with me in Texas, and for restoring my faith in events and promotion. To Lisa Mantchev (a.k.a. Agent Sister #1), th
ank you for regularly checking on me and always finding a way to make me smile. To the brilliant and inspiring ladies of Friday the Thirteeners (a.k.a. My Safe Place), thank you for being a constant sounding board and steady support group to lean on. To Lisa Cannon, Kirsten Hubbard, Nikki Katz, Andrea Ortega, and Cindy Pon (a.k.a. Brunch Buddies!), thank you for the fun times and the unfailing encouragement. And to Katie Bartow (a.k.a. Goddess of Blogging), thank you for the countless ways you’ve given your time, energy, and platform to champion my books.
I also want to give a special thank-you to all the amazing booksellers, teachers, and librarians (a.k.a. The Best People Anyone Will Ever Meet) who’ve helped me get my books in the hands of readers. The longer I’m around this business, the more I realize just how much your support and enthusiasm truly means. You are the heart and soul of this industry, and I am eternally grateful to have you on my side. And to all the bloggers, BookTubers, and any other people who go online and talk about books they love (a.k.a. The Cool People), thank you for helping me spread the word about this series.
And last, but definitely not least, I have to thank everyone who takes the time to follow or subscribe to any of the places I cause shenanigans on the Internet. Thank you for putting up with my randomness, for giving me an excuse to procrastinate, and for patiently wading through all my haboob jokes. Now you finally know what they mean!
© DEVENDE PHOTOHRAPHY
SHANNON MESSENGER grew up among the sandstorms and giant bugs of the desert and was not sad at all when her family finally escaped the heat. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and television production, but realized her real passion is writing for kids and teens. She is also the author of the middle-grade series Keeper of the Lost Cities, and she lives in Southern California with her wonderful husband and an embarrassing number of cats. Find her online at shannonmessenger.com.
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