Jyx! She wanted to cry. She tried to shout: “Jyx, we’re here!” But then the clouds lit white, as lightning struck farther away from them, followed by the clap of thunder that swallowed her words.

She tried again: “Jyx! Chauda! Here!” She dangled from Pixit’s leg as he flapped, desperately trying to stay aloft. Rain smashed into her. Pain throbbed in her shoulder.

Through the purple-and-black clouds, she saw a shape—​and then Jyx and Chauda burst into view. “Mina! What are you doing? Can’t you follow a simple order?” Flying beneath her, Jyx reached up to grab her, and Mina let go of Pixit’s leg. She flopped down onto Jyx.

Chauda instantly sank.

“Stay with your partner,” Jyx said. “That’s what they told us! But I couldn’t find you! I looked. I called for you. Couldn’t you hear me? Why didn’t you call back? Mina, you’re bleeding! Your shoulder! Chauda, we have to land. Mina’s hurt.” Another flash, closer. “What do you mean you can’t hold us both? This is not optional, Chauda.”

Mina began to sit up. She had to get back on Pixit—​

“Whoa! Stay still!”

But Chauda was off balance. She tipped, and Mina slid. Jyx grabbed for her, and the shift in weight knocked Chauda all the way sideways. Her wings slapped together and she began falling. With a cry, Pixit shot after her, and then all four of them were tangled—​a knot of arms, legs, and wings—​falling through the storm.

They plummeted.

Thunder cracked around them, and in the next flash of lightning Mina saw the ground, the jagged rocks of the mountain racing toward them. She flung herself at Pixit, her arms around his neck, and the four of them broke apart: Jyx with Chauda, and Mina with Pixit.

Pixit stretched his wings out, slowing their fall, and they crashed down and tumbled, knocking rocks free, falling with the rocks, until at last they stopped.

The rain slackened.

She heard the thunder, more distant.

Lying on the side of the mountain, Mina felt as if every inch of her skin were bruised. Her shoulder throbbed. Pixit?

«I’m here.»

“Jyx?” she croaked.

“Over here!”

In the darkness, Mina could only tell that Jyx was somewhere above her. “Are you all right?”

“Keep talking—​we’ll find you by your voice.”

Mina felt a laugh bubble into her throat, and she swallowed it back. She knew this wasn’t the time for laughing, but she still felt like she was about to burst into unstoppable giggles. Or cry. Or both. They need me to talk. Me. “That wasn’t how the first storm was supposed to go,” Mina said. She wasn’t sure what else she should say, but Jyx needed more words to follow. “I’m sorry you were paired with me. It’s not fair to you. You deserve someone who’s better at this.”