On the fifth day, Professor Dano described the period when their country withdrew from the rest of the world. Before the discovery of storm-beast powers, Alorria had been part of a much larger world. “Isolationism—​defined as caring only about your own country—​had the benefit of limiting the area that the early storm beasts and guardians had to protect. Here’s the important bit to understand: all the world’s weather is connected, and more complex than you can comprehend. By solely focusing on the land within the mountains, the first storm guardians and their beasts were able to focus on controlling only a localized weather pattern. That’s what made it possible for the early Alorrians to achieve perfection—​by limiting the range of their control.”

That sounded selfish, especially compared to the (literally) sunny tales Mina knew. She wanted to know more. What about those who fail to control the weather? And what about those who can’t? And what about those who live beyond the mountains?

«Ask,» Pixit urged.

Mina glanced at Jyx, wondering if she was considering the same questions.

“Sooooo,” Jyx drawled, “when do we get to play with lightning?”

Chapter
Eight

It took only three weeks (and a lot of potatoes) for Pixit to grow to his full size. Mina noticed it the day that he failed to fit through the door, a week after Chauda had switched to using the window.

«Oof!»

Looking up from the book she’d been reading—​A History of Alorrian Agriculture, written by a sun guardian who had coaxed twenty-six sun beasts into creating a tropical rainforest in southeastern Alorria—​Mina saw Pixit crammed into the doorway. His head and front legs were wiggling ineffectively in the air, while his body, puffed with scales and feathers, filled every available space. He looked as if he’d become rectangular.

Mina giggled.

«Not helpful.»

Sorry. Closing her book, she jumped to her feet and hurried to him. She gripped his front paws and pulled.

He didn’t budge.

Mina heard a whomp sound behind her as Chauda flew in through the window. The other lightning beast gave a snort that Mina had learned to interpret as I told you so. Chauda had a dozen different snorts, all of which meant approximately the same thing. And then, from the hallway, on the other side of Pixit, she heard Jyx’s voice. “He grew! This is great!”

It would be great if Jyx would help.

“Tell her she could push,” Mina said to Chauda.

She heard feet shuffle, and then Jyx shouted, “Okay, on three! One . . . two . . . three!”

Leaning back, Mina pulled with all her strength. She heard Jyx grunting on the other side, and then . . .

Pop​—Pixit flew out of the doorjamb.

Thump​—Pixit landed sprawled on the floor.

Jyx, who had belly-flopped forward on top of him, pushed herself up. She had a huge grin on her face. “Mina, do you think this means what I think this means?”