Page 75 of Of Flame and Fury

Kel’s nostrils flared. “I’m her tamer. How could it possibly be in my best interest?”

“Your safety is a higher priority to me than your obligations as a tamer,” Cristo said smoothly.

Kel’s nails dug deeper into her palms. “But you’re fine with me racing her?”

Cristo sighed. “As I’m sure you’ve suspected, Kelyn, Savita is nearing a rebirth.”

Kel kept her face blank as icy disbelief filled her. A part of her had still hoped Cristo hadn’t lied to her, hadn’t known.

Cristo continued, “I worried that you’d interfere with how we wish to handle her rebirth.”

“And how is that?” Coup demanded.

“Carefully,” Cristo said quickly. “It’s a dangerous process, and it’s best if you let my team help her through the transition. I am sorry, Kelyn. I was trying to protect you.”

The sincerity in his voice shocked Kel more than anything he’d said, and for a moment she hesitated. But she had to trust her instincts. She stepped toward Cristo. “What is yourprocess?”

If Cristo wanted to control Savita’s rebirth, why would he send Savita into another race?

Cristo gestured behind them, toThe Prism. “We’ll place Savita in a safe environment, where her rebirth won’t hurt anyone. But there’s still an unavoidable element of risk. That’s why I wished for only the most qualified on my team to have access to Savita’s vitals. I was going to tell you—but I didn’t want you to worry about Savita, as well as everything else.” His eyes flickered to Coup, then back to Kel. “I’ll make sure that your access is restored, and you can see all past records. You have my word.”

If you race.

She didn’t know if Cristo had left the words to hang in the air, or if she’d imagined them. Either way, they rang through her ears like temple bells: inescapable and unending.

“Okay. Count me in.”

Cristo nodded solemnly. Then he disappeared down the empty corridor, leaving Kel and Coup to collect the new truths splattered across the walls.

“What the hell, Varra!” Coup said, his voice uneven, as if trying to find the right words. “The tamer I knew in Fierorneverwould have agreed to something this reckless.”

“What choice do I have?” she threw back, struggling to keep her voice low. “Savita’s life’s on the line. Nothing else matters.”

Coup was right—something fiery and painful had changed her since they’d arrived in Vohre: a renewed desperation to save Savita. But that same fire refused to let her overthink her decision. Cristo was right, too. If she didn’t agree to the race, Savita’s dangerous reputation would only grow, and Cristo still had equal ownership of Savita.

“I’ve got this,” Kel added, warmed by the concern in Coup’s eyes. “I’ve raced Sav occasionally when we were in between riders.”

“I’m coming with the Howlers,” Coup said, lips pressed into aflat line. “Even if it’s just to fill in your brooding shoes and keep you from doing anything rash.”

“I bet you didn’t thinkyou’dever be saying that tome,” she said.

“I mean it, tamer,” he said, refusing to return her teasing. “Stay safe.”

Kel nodded, her lips twitching up. “I’ll try my best, Coupers.”

PART THREE

O’er years the rider and knight soared up high

Bound by true valor, legends of the sky

But below the tides, sea monsters dwelled deep

And dragged Ryker down, a trusting soul reaped

Above, Deja glimpsed his course ’neath the waves

She descended for his watery grave

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