“Wait. Why haven’t you told me this before?” she demanded as the idea finally flared into life within her.
“Are you really asking me that?” Jason snapped. “Between getting roasted by the sun, nearly fainting from lack of oxygen, and severe dehydration, the internal running of the Atmospheric College simply didn’t come up.”
She ignored him, closing her eyes, and reached for the yellow threads of the Air Element, forcing and molding them into an invisible bubble around her head. The normally insignificant use of her Gift now felt like an insurmountable task, and she nearly yielded under the effort. Trembling like a sapling in a storm, she eventually managed to force the bubble closed, and then she pulled more and more Air into it, increasing the pressure until it was like a massive brass diving helmet of old.
Allyra sucked in the wonderful, thick, syrupy air, and instantly her head cleared, and her senses sharpened. It was like waking up from a bad dream.
She turned to Jason and gave him a brilliant smile.
“What?” he demanded, instantly suspicious.
Allyra reached for the threads again, forming a bubble around Jason’s head. Now that she was breathing air thick with oxygen, the effort seemed insignificant.
Jason’s eyes brightened as she pushed more and more air around his head. Allyra reached into the backpack and grabbed the two apples in it, tossing one to Jason.
“Get up,” she told him. “We’re finishing this thing today.”
Jason raised his eyebrows. “Eighty-odd kilometers? In one night?”
“Unless you think you can’t keep up,” Allyra shot back.
Jason laughed—a rich and happy sound. “Let’s go then.”
Chapter 17 – Allyra
Under a vast sky filled with an infinite number of glittering stars, Allyra and Jason ran through the night, covering the distance almost effortlessly in the cool air.
The sun was just starting to rise when the Atmospheric College came into view. The day dawned, painting the sky in delicate shades of pink and casting a warm glow over the domed buildings of the Atmospheric College.
Allyra thought she’d never seen anything quite as wonderful. And in a final burst of energy, she lengthened her strides into a sprint and turned to give Jason a quick grin over her shoulder, the challenge clear in her eyes.
The corners of Jason’s lips quirked up in answer to her challenge, and he raced after her. They matched each other, stride for stride, and tumbled, exhausted, into the foyer of the Atmospheric College.
As soon as she was in the cool shade of the building, Allyra doubled over, resting her hands on her knees as she fought to catch her breath. Jason simply dropped to the ground, stretching his tall frame along the cool tiled floor. For a few moments, the air was filled with nothing but the sound of their harsh breathing.
A side door clicked open, and High Master Radebe walked through, his expressive face crinkled into a kind smile. At his appearance, Allyra straightened, wincing at the stitch in her side. She nudged Jason with her foot, and with a groan, he got to his feet.
“Welcome to the Atmospheric College,” High Master Radebe said. “Congratulations, you are the first ones to finish the Second Final.”
Allyra’s eyes widened, and she exchanged a quick look with Jason, finding him wearing a similarly stunned expression. For the first time since the start of The Five Finals, Allyra felt belief bloom into life within her.
Perhaps they might win this thing after all.
“I’m sure you’re hungry and thirsty—there’s food and drink waiting for you in the Masters’ dining room, and afterwards, a room has been prepared for you to rest in,” High Master Radebe explained. He nodded at an awaiting Cleaner to show them the way.
As they walked away, High Master Radebe congratulated them once more and gave Allyra a quick, but firm, squeeze of support on her shoulder.
* * *
The Masters’ dining room had a number of tables scattered around the room, and at the front of it was a banquet table laden with food. As hungry as she was, thirst won out. Allyra ignored the food and headed for the pitchers of ice-cold water, draining two glasses in quick succession, following them up with a glass of orange juice. It was only once her thirst had been quenched that she turned her attention to the food.
She piled one plate with waffles and fruit, drenching the lot with sweet, golden honey, and then filled another plate with eggs and bacon. With a sigh, she dropped into a seat across the table from Jason, who didn’t even bother looking up as she sat down, his attention fully occupied by his similarly full plates of food.
He ate with studied concentration, and impressive efficiency, clearing a whole plate of pancakes before she’d even gotten her first bite in. She hurried to catch up.
* * *
Allyra stirred awake, feeling human again having slept through most of the day. The room they’d been given was small and sparsely furnished, mostly filled by the two twin beds. Allyra glanced at the other bed and found it empty, filled only with rumpled bed sheets that indicated it had been occupied at some point.
Enjoying the rare moment of solitude, Allyra lingered in bed, considering whether she was tired enough for another nap. In the end, the rumbling of her stomach drove her to get up and find her way back to the Masters’ dining room.
Dinner had been laid out on the banquet table, but the room was empty except for Jason. After some dithering over the extensive choice of food, Allyra filled her plate and joined him.
He had already finished his food, but he waved an open bottle of white wine at her. She nodded and as he poured
