Though the Aether wasn’t visible, Perry could sense it prickling on his skin. He wondered if the currents were coiling into funnels behind those clouds, and if the red flares had appeared. Would they see a rainstorm and an Aether storm in the morning?

Brooke and Aria returned, and they all took their positions. Soren and Jupiter stayed by the Belswan with Aria. Brooke, Perry, and Roar waited in the woods, ready to surround the Dragonwing as it came to the rescue. When Perry signaled, they moved in and rehearsed how they would overpower the Guardians, down to who would speak and what they’d say.

They spent time coordinating how to take down the Guardians unharmed. A regular Dragonwing crew consisted of four men, trained pilots all, and they’d need every one of them in order to steal Hovers from Sable and Hess.

Four pilots meant four Belswans. Added to the one already in their possession, they would have enough capacity to carry all the Tides to the Still Blue.

“No bloodshed,” Perry said, after they’d run through every detail a few times. “We do this just as planned.”

Agreement all around. Nods from everyone.

They’d done all they could do.

They were ready.

11. Aria

11

ARIA

So . . .” Soren waved a shaky hand at the pilot seat. In his other hand, he gripped the Smarteye tightly. “I’m going to sit so we can get started and everything.”

“Go ahead,” Aria said.

“Thanks.” Soren dropped into the chair, and his leg began to bounce.

Last night during rehearsal, he’d been calm. Everything had been calm. But now, rain pelted the windshield of the cockpit. Outside, in the gray early morning, the trees tossed back and forth and the wind howled through the bay doors.

It wasn’t an Aether storm, but it was enough to make Aria’s stomach buzz with nerves.

“Let’s get this going,” Perry said.

Roar and Brooke had taken their positions outside, waiting for the mission to begin.

They weren’t altering their plan because of the storm. Aria had really never understood rain until she’d come to the outside. In the Realms, it was poetic. Ambience for a night with friends in a mountain cabin. For a day studying in a café. But in the real, it streamed into your eyes and chilled your muscles to the bone. It had a biting side, and they hoped the Guardians who came in the Dragonwing would be thrown off because of it.

“I’m ready,” Soren said. “It’s all set. I did this in Reverie once. Remember, Jup?”

In the other pilot seat, Jupiter sat up, almost straightening out of his usual slouch. “Yeah, I remember. You got us out of history exams that one time.”

Soren’s lip curled. “Right . . . exams.”