With Odin’s mob taken care of, Conrad adds the finishing touches to our evening, whispering for Erivan to expand into a colossal form, the turquoise creature spreading its wings to signal the fury it’s about to unleash.
Erivan’s roar is enough to snap Odin into action, the frightened look on his face turning to surprise as Conrad falls from his Williynx, spinning towards the stranded Domitus with no protective curtain or active charm: a blatant statement of superiority designed to test the level of venom buried in Odin.
Domitus are soldiers haunted by war, after all, recuperating in Drandok until they recover or falter, Odin’s raised arm putting him in the latter category. He’s fallen into Conrad’s trap, yelling in fury as he shouts ‘SALIX’: the first and last time he’ll use an unauthorised curse on active duty.
As the energy changes around us, I whip the Leverin charm into a more furious rhythm, ensuring the two malevs in my grasp get the most out of the unforgiving waterfall they’re trapped in. They’ll live to tell the tale in The Velynx.
With Lucy doing the same, I glance back to see Conrad vanishing in the air … a step ahead of Odin who tries to catch his disappearing figure, but he’s trapped in ways he doesn’t understand yet, too consumed by his anger to notice Erivan shape-shifting above him … the turquoise Williynx breathing flumes of white mist that signal the conclusion to this dance.
As Odin spins around, shouting for Conrad to show himself, Erivan flutters into a tiny form, releasing a flurry of feathers nears the Domitus’s feet … feathers that turn into spirals of light, wrapping around Odin’s body. He tries to whip out the curse again, realising he’s instigated his own demise seconds later … the Salix curse rebounding and ripping through his body, sending him collapsing to the earth.
Erivan releases a second flurry of feathers, guiding them over the gaping wound almost detaching Odin’s right shoulder from his body. With his crew floating unconscious in the surge of water, I watch as Odin’s wound heals: another touch of magic from our feathered friends.
As Odin grunts in pain, I fire a Promesiun charm into the air, twisting my wrist as it rises to ensure the blue light washes the sky: a call to the sleeping soldiers tasked with transporting targets to The Velynx.
Thankfully, crossing Quibbs Causeway isn’t part of our remit, meaning we can leave a party with the Mantzils to our comrades — comrades conditioned to cope with the mind-piercing screech of the Mantzils: one Society creature I don’t miss.
25
Healing Visits
We return to The Society Sphere after a group of sleeping soldiers arrive to take care of Odin and his crew. Our duty as Night Rangers is done so it’s time to squeeze the final bit of life out of the evening, my thoughts returning to Noah’s date with Zoe. Part of me hopes it’s gone well with the other part still uncertain of Zoe’s motives.
From never giving Noah any signs of interest to suddenly agreeing to go on a date still seems a bit odd, but people can be odd, including me. I also need to remember that it took me a while to recognise my bond with Conrad was more than friendship, so this could be what’s playing out between Noah and Zoe.
If we fly past The Winter Quarter, we’ll know how the date’s gone, but I don’t want to bring this up. I’ve grown out of my impulsive phase, realising where it can lead, which doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with a desire to jump into things without thinking them through.
Surprisingly, it’s Lucy who brings up the idea of flying over The Winter Quarter, suggesting we should check on Noah. We all know what ‘checking on Noah’ means but I see it as a good sign: at least she’s not out for Zoe’s blood.
“If Noah’s had any luck, they should be on The Sinking Bridge by now,” Conrad says, moving his attention from Lucy’s needs to Noah’s.
Noah’s one of Conrad’s closest friends so it’s natural for him to hope for the best, choosing his words carefully to avoid upsetting Lucy.
“Or they could still be in Velerin’s,” I add, patting Laieya in recognition of her tiredness.
“I’ve never seen Zoe out after midnight,” Lucy comments, “so they’ll be on The Sinking Bridge or heading back to The Singing Quarter.”
“Well, let’s go and find out,” I add, tapping my ankles to signal a need for speed.
I’m keen to end the night with a bit of fun, wishing Sianna Follygrin well in her hideaway in The Royisin Heights. Maybe that will be me one day, checking out quieter realms, but there’s way too much fun to still be had, starting with the lowdown on Noah’s date and whether he’s managed to sneak in the long-hoped for kiss.
We find Noah on The Sinking Bridge but not in the company of Zoe who, he says, had to leave early.
“What do you mean early?” Conrad asks, checking on his friend as Lucy and I give them some space.
“Straight after the meal,” Noah replies, looking handsome in his purple suit, the gold pocket watch open in his hand.
He’s using the watch to avoid eye contact with us — a sign he’s struggling with his emotions. Noah’s not much of a crier but goes silent when he’s upset, meaning we need to tread carefully.
“Did it go well?” I ask, sensing the answer.
“It went fine,” Noah replies, but his tone suggests it didn’t. “We mainly talked about night ranging. You know, what we get up to.”
“Did you talk about you?” Lucy asks. “I mean, the two of you.”
Noah shakes his head, rubbing the edges of the gold pocket watch. “I’ve been an idiot.”
“Easy, Noah,” Conrad offers, placing an arm
