Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(107)

Two thousand warlocks and witches stood on the marble floor of the hall. Flaevynn and Cathbad would teleport their bloodthirsty Medb army only ten minutes after gryphon departure.

Flaevynn and Cathbad stood high above them on a dais. Flaevynn raised her hand, and rumbling murmurs quieted. “This is the day we take back the island that has been in the hands of the enemy for too long. After today, the Medb will rule Treoir and the mortal world. Every one of you who returns from this victory will be given a section of the world to call your own.”

Deafening cheers roared.

“Make me proud.”

Floating ten feet above the marble, Kizira approached the gryphons at eye level and well below the queen of T?μr Medb. Kizira spoke to them as a unit. “You all know your roles. I will be in telepathic communication once we are airborne and the entire time we’re in Treoir. You are compelled to follow my every command.”

Boomer and two other golden heads snarled, ready to go.

Evalle thought about rolling her eyes. She spoke to Conlan telepathically. I’m lifting the tip of my wing at Lanna, then she’ll come over to cloak you so you can both get on my back.

A minute later, she felt the weight of Lanna and Conlan. Lanna tugged on Evalle’s feathers. Make her stop that, Conlan.

I’ve got her.

Evalle stretched her neck to see if everyone was in place.

As agreed, Kizira stepped onto Tristan’s back, placing her feet between his two Rías friends who sat there in human form, shivering. Tristan said he’d told them to appear afraid, but that looked like real terror on their faces. Tristan had been outfitted with a gold-and-red harness with a leash that Kizira lifted as she stood on his back. She could teleport the entire group, but the gryphons needed a chance to fly as a unit before entering enemy airspace.

Kizira gave the signal to go airborne.

A wall vanished on one side of T?μr Medb, revealing an empty black sky.

Evalle flapped her wings and pushed off, sailing through the opening behind Tristan and Kizira. She’d never even been in an airplane and couldn’t believe the exhilaration of flying on her own. She wanted to share this with Storm.

Once the gryphons were all airborne, Kizira’s voice came into Evalle’s mind just as it would in the minds of the other nine. Be ready to teleport. The minute we come out, you’ll be flying low over the Irish Sea. We’ll enter an opening between two mountains. Once there, you know what to do.

Accustomed now to the swirling shift, Evalle relaxed as soon as the teleporting took over. She glided during the change. It lasted longer than usual, which might be due to Kizira having to teleport so many at one time.

Evalle knew the minute she entered the airspace above the Irish Sea.

Winds buffeted her sideways. She yelled at Conlan to hold on and felt someone grip her neck. Flapping hard, she fought to right herself. Boomer cartwheeled past her, and she was glad to see she wasn’t the only one struggling.

Maybe Flaevynn should have built in more flight training than the short time they had on the way here.

Bucking waves pounded twenty feet below her.

Salt air stung her eyes, but . . . she was flying in daylight without sunglasses. She’d never seen the world during the day. Her heart leaped at the joy.

Why couldn’t she share this moment with Storm?

No, she was glad he was safe in Atlanta. Tzader would never bring an outsider to Treoir purposely, especially now.

A mountain range with an obvious break between two of the peaks came into view.

Kizira stood with her soft-booted feet slightly apart, holding the leash in one hand and directing with the other. She called to the gryphons, Enter through there, then divide up and start the attack.

As soon as Evalle sailed through the dip in the mountains, the air calmed to Treoir’s normally peaceful state. She looked around, hoping to see the traitor, but with this spot in the security breached he was probably heading to the castle to be there when Kizira arrived.

Boomer led a group of gryphons to start burning a band of ground between the sea and the castle, separating the defenses. Another bunch broke off, heading toward strategic points where warlocks and witches would be teleported in.

Evalle warned Conlan, Get ready to bank left.

The hold on her neck tightened just before she leaned left and soared over mountains, then valleys, wondering if a jet fighter pilot felt this way. As soon as she located a spot inside the area that had been designated as the burn perimeter, Evalle landed a mile from the castle in the only opening she could find amid the trees.

Conlan and Lanna jumped off. He yelled, “I’ll get Lanna to the castle and keep her safe.”

Lanna added, “And I will sneak him inside.”

Evalle answered Conlan silently. Thank you. Tell Lanna I’m really proud of her and to please be careful. And tell Quinn I’m sorry she ended up at T?μr Medb.

Will do.

With a quick couple of flaps, Evalle lifted off. She hadn’t gone far when she heard Trey come into her mind. Evalle, where are you?

He sounded tired. Could she tell him, or would the compulsion spell kick in? I don’t think I can tell you, but if you look up, you’ll see me. I’m aqua with a golden head.

What . . . are you a dragon . . .

A gryphon.

She laughed, then her eyes blurred and vertigo sent her spinning. Her stomach turned into a washing machine with rusted gears. She lost altitude, waffling as she headed straight down.