I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the sight of Lila and Tahir flying in tight, controlled formations above the clearing. Leilani had to do it for me, by stepping in front of me. Her eyes were the same deep brown that they were in her human form and I recognized the impatient, annoyed look she was giving me.

“I’m sorry,” I said breathlessly. I was suddenly feeling far more pained than I had been when I first made it out of the cave. The adrenaline must be wearing ...