Tyr would never forget the bolt of lightning that killed Adaline. It wasn’t just white like lightning should be. It was lined in the red of blood and fury. He ran to her, his feet pounding in the silence with his heartbeat. He didn’t even see the long white dragon diving down from the grey dome above. He didn’t hear the shouts. He didn’t know he was going to die.

Kensei dove after him to intercept the Fatalis, but he was alone in his charge. His speed was astounding, but he was no longer the young hunter he used to be. The odds of his outrunning the descending white beast were less than zero.

Orion had already stumbled over himself. His feet stuttering with his words, and his fearless façade broken forever. If he could have found his voice, he might have screamed, but instead his armor clanged for him as he fell backwards down the stairs.

Kean was desperately forming a plan. He knew nothing about the Fatalis or its abilities, but the way that it picked up Tyr like a ragdoll in it s mouth while simultaneously batting aside the Sword Saint’s assault with its tail was a terrifying display of power. Rushing in wasn’t his style, but if it had been, he would have died that day too.

The Fatalis tossed Tyr’s body to the side, and it rolled dangerously close to the far edge. The Elder Dragon roared, and the clouds chorused with lightning strikes across the platform.

Sarah didn’t bother with her bow. She ran for Tyr. Each step took her too long. She could see the stonework crumbling beneath Tyr’s bleeding body. There was a voice shouting for her, but it wasn’t his voice, so she didn’t listen. When Kensei flew past her from the force of another hit. He couldn’t catch his footing, and he knocked Tyr off the edge while reaching out for something to grab onto.

She didn’t reach for him. She reached the edge and leapt into the clouds after Tyr.

End of Book 1