<b>CHAPTER </b><b>129 </b>
The ne hummed steadily beneath them, a low vibration that threaded through the soles of Saphira’s boots and settled in her chest like a second heartbeat. She leaned forward, elbows braced on her knees, the map spread across the tray table crinkling slightly beneath her fingers. Her thumb traced the worn crease between two regions–again and again–though her eyes weren’t really seeing it anymore. <i>Too </i><i>many </i>variables. <i>Too </i><i>many </i><i>ways </i>this could <i>fall </i>
apart.
She inhaled slowly, then she spoke, her voice slicing through the stillness like a de. “We don’t need a hundred different ns,” she said, lifting her gaze. “We need roles. Clear ones. Anything could go wrong–finding Asher, Talia, and Sam… Finn not being able to get out… us being spotted. We can’t n for every possibility, but we can prepare for who we are in each one.”
Her words hung in the air, taut and deliberate.
Raven nodded, her posture straight, hands folded neatly in herp. “I can use my magic in each situation,” she said, her tone calm but firm. “Locator spells to track them. Defensive if we’re attacked. Protective if we need shielding. I’ll adapt to what’s needed.”
Saphira gave a small nod, her gaze locking with Raven’s. That’s <i>exactly </i>what we need. <i>Flexibility</i>. <i>Precision</i><i>. </i><i>Someone </i><i>who </i>doesn’t <i>flinch </i>when the unknown <i>hits</i>.
Jasper shifted forward, forearms resting on his thighs, his fingers curling loosely as if already preparing to move. “I’m our strength,” he said, voice low and steady. “I’m fast–I can be in and out before they know I’m there. And I’m stronger than most wolves. If someone needs taking out, I’ll do it.”
Saphira met his eyes, searching for bravado and finding none. Just quiet certainty. <i>He’s </i><i>not </i><i>just </i>muscle. <i>He’s </i><i>control</i><i>. </i><i>He </i><i>knows </i>what he’s capable of–and he’s not afraid <i>to </i><i>use </i><i>it</i>.
Finn moved slightly, his shoulder brushing Amara’s. His hand found hers, fingers grazing her knuckles before curling around them. “We’re limited,” he said, ncing toward the window. “But we have each other. That’s our advantage. We know how to move together. And if ites to it–we’re prepared to fight.”
Amara nodded, her grip tightening. “We’ll do what we have to.”
Saphira’s chest tightened. She looked at each of them–Raven, Jasper, Finn<b>, </b>Amara–and felt the weight of their trust settle on her shoulders. <i>They’re </i><i>ready</i>. <i>They’re </i>willing<i>. </i>
She sat up straighter, spine aligning like a drawn bowstring. Her voice was calm, but there was heat beneath it. “I’m still new. Still learning. But I have a dragon. And that dragon wants revenge.”
The cabin went still. Even the hum of the ne seemed to fade for a moment.
Raven’s gaze flicked to her, thoughtful. “Hopefully it doesn’te to that,” she said gently.
Saphira nodded once, her jaw tight. <i>But </i><i>if </i>it <i>does</i>… <i>they’ll </i>see <i>what </i>I’m <i>capable </i>of. <i>What </i>we’re capable of.
Silence settled again, but this time it wasn’t hollow. It was dense with purpose. With resolve.
Not fear. Not doubt<i>. </i>
Just readiness<b>. </b>
The pilot’s voice crackled through the <b>cabin </b>speakers, calm and clipped. “We’ll bending shortly. Please remain seated and prepare for descent.”
Sephire’s fingers tightened around the armrest. Her heart gave a small jolt–not feat exactly, but something close. This is it. No more nning. No more rehearsing We’re bere
Jasper leaned back into his seat, stretching his legs slightly and rolling his shoulders. “Here we go,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
The ne dipped, she bum of the engines shifting as the ground rose to meet them Saphira nced out the window, catching glimpses of dense forest and jagged terrain.
Theynded with a soft thud, the ns ruiling to a stop on a narrow strip of tarmac surrounded by trees One by one, they unbuckled and grabbed their gear. Saphira slung her backpack over her shoulder, her fingers brushing the map tucked tuside
They exited the ne, boots hitting the ground with quiet purpose. Each of them murmured a thank you to the pilot as they passed. When Saphira reached
him, he gave her a nod.
“We’ll be here as long as you need us,” he said.
She paused, meeting his eyes. “Thank you. That means everything.”
He nodded again, then tuned back to the cockpit.
The group gathered beside the ne, the wind tugging gently at their clothes. Saphira crouched down and pulled the map from her <b>bag</b>, spreading it across a t rock nearby. Her fingers moved quickly, pinpointing their current location.
“We’re here,” she said, tapping the edge of the forest. “We’ll move together until this ridge–then Finn and Amara will break off toward the front entrance. The rest of us will head toward the waterfall. There’s a blind spot there. We’ll have cover and a vantage point.”
Finn leaned over the map, nodding. “Let’s go.”
They started walking, the forest swallowing them quickly. Saphira led the way, her boots crunching softly against the underbrush. Her breath was steady, but bet chest felt tight. Every step <i>is </i>closer. Every step is real.
Jasper came up beside her, his stride matching hers. After a few minutes, he nced her way. “How are you holding up? Now that we’re close?”
Saphira didn’t answer right away. She kept her eyes forward, watching the terrain. “Better than I thought,” she said finally. “But I need to be strong. I don’t get to fall apart.”
Jasper nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “You’ve got this. I’ve been keeping tabs on your progress. It’s been incredible. You’ll be just as good in this live situation.”
Saphira turned slightly, offering him a quiet smile. “Thanks.”
Then her voice dropped. “Will you be able to keep your cool… if something goes wrong with Talia?”
Jasper stopped mid–step, blinking at her. “What?”
She smiled again–soft, knowing. “I see it. You care about her.”
He looked away for a moment, then back at her. “I will. One thing above all–I’m trained. I can keep my emotions at bay.”
“Good,” Saphira said, her voice steady. “We’ll need that.”
They fell into silence again, the only sound behind them the low murmur of Finn and Amara talking quietly.
Eventually<b>, </b>they reached the first checkpoint–a clearing just before the ridge. Saphira raised a hand, signalling the group to stop.
“<b>This </b>is where we split,” she said, her voice low.
They hovered <i>for </i><b><i>a </i></b>moment, the weight of the moment settling over them. Finn stepped forward and hugged her tightly.
“Be sale he said.
Saphire held him for a best kanger than she meard to. “Be careful walking into the wolves‘ den
They released each other, and the others Fachanged quiet goodbyes Finn and Amare turned, beading toward the front of the pack
Saphire watched them go, ber heart thudding Now’s real. No more times to rehearse No more distance there in t