Looking over my shoulder, I take in the glow of the Warriors’ Hall one last time. From the reflection pool and earthy foliage of the Underbelly to the glass rooftop and every proud archway in between, I love the Hall. I’ve worked so hard to get here, to earn a place for myself. Skies willing, I’ll be back in just a matter of days. But it still feels like I am leaving so much behind.

“Thank you,” I say, touching a hand reverently to the wall. “I’ll see you soon.”

Then I turn to the east.

I don’t know the flight paths the warriors had been assigned, but Noam said Ramsgate is due east, so that’s where I’ll fly. I cradle my determination like a candle flame—I have to protect it, or I’d lose my nerve. Just get to Balmora, I tell myself. Once I’m there, I’ll feel better.

The sun lingers above the west, but the first diamonds of stars are beginning to appear overhead.

The entire sky is mine. Taking my lioness form, I rise to meet her.

On the first day of training, one of the older warriors instructed us to fly into the frigid sea. Then he called us back up to the Heliana to dry in the sunlight. Then he sent us back to the water.

It went on for an hour: sun and sea, warmth and icy cold, until our spirits broke and our skin forgot how to mend. I remember vomiting onto the grass, hating every bone in my body and swearing I would never feel so low again.

Deserting feels a lot like that.

I fly straight down from the city, until I’m skimming the sea’s surface. A quiet thrill thrums through me like a harp string finally played. It has been years since I rebelled in any way, let alone in an enormous way like this. My first weeks of training were spent doing extra drills and cleaning dishes as part of numerous reprimands. I had a smart mouth, as my mother was quick to remind me. Years of training had helped instill a deep sense of respect for the warrior ways, but even now I have to actively hold back when an instructor’s tone rubs me the wrong way. It feels good to have this little piece of myself back, especially now that I know what the sentinels did and are still doing.

The sight of the ocean rushing past me as I fly brings my mind back to the glowing waters of the grotto. I miss Callen so much, more than I expected to. He would have helped me think this out step by step. Would he have sided with me, maybe even come with me? Of course he would have, my heart whispers. I know that now. Ox would have said yes, too. At least I think he would have.