Page 184 of The Eye of the Fifth
Kyra had wielded her earth magic to escape, her desperation to get out written in the serrated edges of the opening to the chamber below.
Naal’s eyes were wide with unmistakable fear when she looked at him and whispered, ‘Find her.’
Gedeon jumped through the hole after Kyra without a second thought.
Chapter Forty Nine
A Joining Of Night And Day
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The Floating Mountains, Nythanor
Kyra
The stagnant quiet in the surrounding air was a welcome sound. It meant the Eternals had yet to realise she was gone.
At the top of the endless twisting stairwell, Kyra came to a stop, heart in her throat.
One more step and she’d be met with a squawk from a razor sharp beak, daring her to go any further. It was a stupid plan. And one that would probably get her eyes pecked out.
But no other option would get her away from the temple fast enough.
Gritting her teeth against the cold, she cleared the top step.
As expected, the hawk was before her instantly, its cry slicing the air, splaying its wings as it did every time she’d stepped foot on the Summit. But with no Eternal to call the bird off, she would have to do it herself.
The hawk stepped forward and squawked again, its clawed feet stamping the snow, the feathers on its great wings widening further.
Kyra refused to step back, instead mimicking the same sound she’d heard Mankar and Naal do countless times. Two high-pitched, clipped whistles.
The bird faltered slightly, its head cocking to one side.
But then the great beast opened its beak and screeched louder than ever before.
Kyra did step back then, but not far enough to be clear of its skull smashing under her chin so hard she tumbled halfway down the sculpted ice-steps, teeth vibrating in her jaw from the impact.
Body aching, she looked up to see it airborne, diving toward her with malicious intent.
It was going to run her off the mountain.
Stupid fucking plan. She’d have to kill it. There was no other choice.
Light shone from every pore as Kyra flung out a hand, ready to blind it, or obliterate it completely.
Two whistles sounded behind her.
The bird changed course. Instead of ramming its powerful body into hers, it swooped, and Kyra ducked as it soared overhead, landing still and stoic behind her, all interest in bowling her from the mountain completely lost.
Hand outstretched against its beak, looking as though he had a lifetime of experience with the damned beast, was Gedeon.
Obsidian eyes met hers. The bird peered over its shoulder at her, then haughtily looked away.
Kyra glowered.
Gedeon gave the hawk a small smile, then patted its shoulder. ‘I heard you attempt the call and took a gamble. Fortunately, it paid off,’ he said, then raised an eyebrow. ‘I am Eternal now. Remember?’
‘How could I forget,’ Kyra said coldly. ‘So, only the elite can control these beasts? That figures.’ The bird nudged Gedeon’s cheek with its beak, then took off, back to its post on the Summit. ‘Why are you following me?’
