The eagles led them along a swaying walkway of woven branches and feathers, the platforms creaking gently underfoot like living things. Wind chimes made from hollow bones and polished talons sang overhead, and everywhere Alex looked, harpy eyes watched them—curious, wary, some openly hostile.
The snakelings, for once, seemed to sense the gravity of the moment.
Jade sat tall on Naga's shoulders, hood half-flared in quiet warning. Ripple pressed himself tighter against Alex's side. Siddy actually stayed in his carrier without fighting the straps (a miracle).
Sterling stopped trying to climb Leo's head and simply peered around with wide silver eyes. Onyx woke up long enough to flick his tongue once, then went back to sleep. Only River remained perfectly serene, coiled around Alex's wrist like a living bracelet, ocean-blue eyes blinking slowly at the new world above the clouds.
