I took a breath to answer, my head jerking up along with Al’s as a great shape sprang into existence above us in the empty night sky. “Etude!” I cried out, and he waved, great gaping holes in his wings looking painful as he spiraled down, Bis darting energetically around him.

“Mother pus bucket, he’s a big one,” Al said, making Treble blush a deep black.

“You’re alive!” I cried out, elated as he landed.

Bis alighted on his dad’s shoulder, looking proud. “My dad fought Ku’Sox!” he crowed. “They’re singing about him already!”

Etude snuck a glance at Treble, his gaze lingering on Al perched on her back. “I’m glad you’re alive as well,” he said, a heavy hand touching my shoulder to make me feel small. “My boy is safe. If you ever need anything—”

“She needs a mount,” Al said, interrupting him. “We are hunting the breaker of the lines. Interested?”

Etude stiffened, his eyes flicking to the sky. “Is that what I hear? Yes, I’d gladly take a pound of flesh for the pain we’ve endured. Rachel? Don’t mind my wings, I can still fly. We can be on them in moments. They are blazing a trail even humans can see and tremble at.”

Trent’s jaw clenched, and he looked at the sky.

“Not me,” I said, looking at Trent. “Take him.”

Shocked, Trent turned. “Me?”

I shrugged, ignoring Al’s heavy sigh to get on with it. “This is your kind of thing,” I said, remembering the baying of dogs and the fear. Maybe I was with my kin after all. “I’ve got stuff to do. Lines to fix.”

Etude nodded, looking disappointed as Trent seemed to grow three inches taller, eagerly accepting Etude’s helping hand to sit astride him. Then, unexpectedly, he leaned back down and extended a hand for me.

“This is your kind of thing, too,” he said, his eyes glowing with his need to ride, to chase, to hunt. “You can fix the lines later.”

“No,” I said, then slapped at Treble’s hands as she grabbed me about the waist and plopped me behind Trent. “Hey! Wait!” I shouted, then screamed as Etude jumped into the air, his wings beating fiercely. My arms flashed around Trent, and I could have smacked him for his laugh. A wash of ever-after coated us, an echo of a healing spell ringing in my head as Al mended Etude’s wings. Etude rumbled his thanks, then stole Treble’s wind, earning a screech and a mock dive from her.