He held out his hand for Tavia’s and she took it quicker than Saxony expected. She wasn’t sure when they’d climbed the invisible barrier that had been keeping them apart for years, caught between furtive glances and stolen seconds, but Saxony could see the change in them now. For once, Tavia didn’t hesitate to take Wesley’s hand or seem at all unnerved by it, and neither of them tried their best to avoid looking at each other anymore.

That’s good, she thought. Better late than never.

Saxony threaded her hand into Karam’s and then took Tavia’s, too. It seemed to be the safer option than trying to hold Wesley’s and ignoring the awkwardness that might bring.

With the four of them hand in hand, Saxony and Wesley jumped.

The wind whirled across Saxony’s ankles, blowing her hair wildly into her face, sucking her clothes tight to her stomach. It took little time to reach the top, but Saxony still marveled at the view as they soared above the city they were trying to save.

She didn’t need to look at Tavia to know that her friend’s eyes were squeezed tightly shut.

In less than a minute they were at the top of the central tower, their feet slamming into the observation balcony. Tavia all but collapsed onto the ground the minute they made contact.

“Oh, sweet safety,” she said, lying flat on her back with a deep sigh. “Praise the person who invented ground.”

Saxony snorted.

“How did you grow to become the best busker this city has to offer?” Karam asked.

From the ground, Tavia glared. “We don’t usually conduct magic shows from the stars.”

Wesley set up the six Star Eggs at the opposite end of the balcony, lining them in a neat row like they were charms on display, rather than deadly devices that would preserve Creije in a moment.

“We’re ready,” he said. “Let’s get this show started.”

Karam pulled Tavia from the ground as Saxony made her way over to Wesley.

“You sure this will work?” she asked him.

“I’m always sure,” he said. “And if not, it’ll still work out.”

“You might have nine lives,” Tavia said, saddling up beside them. “But the rest of us were only blessed with one.”

Wesley laughed.

Saxony clicked her fingers.

Her fire magic sprouted at the base of each of the fuses that twirled from the Star Eggs, hissing its way to the top.

They took a step back.

Moments later it began.

The explosives hit the sky like lightning, cracking across the face of the moon. It broke the night in pieces, cascades of color raining across the city in a mirror of the Everglow. As though the phenomenon had broken free of its abiding nature and exploded into new being.