Page 67 of Stealing Embers
Giving them a few test pumps, a smile spreads on my face.
“I have an idea.”
“No way.” Steel’s clipped words do nothing to dampen my mood.
“You know what they say. One set of wings is as good as the next.”
“Nobody says that.”
“Well they should. I just need to figure out how exactly to work these things.” Using more force and quicker motions, I’m able to catch enough air to pull myself off the ground about a foot.
“Not gonna happen. You have no idea how to fly with those.”
I’m only half paying attention to him while I focus on trying to keep myself aloft. This is hard work. Beads of sweat form along my brow, my energy resources are almost completely tapped, but I’m determined.
“Just give me a few minutes. I’ll figure it out.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he shoots me a droll look. “Let’s say you do figure out how to get yourself more than a foot off the ground. How do you think you’re going to get us both up to the academy?”
I stop flapping and let myself float down to the pavement. “Um, I could hold you?”
Maybe I haven’t thought this through.
“Oh yeah?” Steel marches forward and plants himself directly in front of me. I try not to breathe in his spicy scent, but it’s impossible.
“Go ahead. Pick me up then,” he challenges and lifts his arms.
Fine. He has a point.
Even if I could fly us both, I don’t want to have to be pressed up against him the whole flight.
Steel drops his arms and pins me with a look. “We’re sitting ducks in this alley—pun intended.”
“I do not look like a duck.”
He cocks one of his eyebrows. “If the feathers fit.”
Jerk.
“Oh, whatever. You’re just trying to be smart.”
“That’s not something I have to try at, sweetheart, I just am.”
Eye roll. Could he be more arrogant?
“Listen—”
A drumbeat of pounding footsteps brings me up short. Steel’s head jerks to the left, his gaze glues to the alley’s entrance.
I grab the dagger at my leg. The weapon easily peels off the metal cuff when my fingers wrap around the smooth leather hilt.
Steel shifts so his body is blocking mine.
“I’ve got this. Stay back,” he commands.
I snort.
Bending my knees, I jump and give my wings a mighty flap. Launching myself over Steel, I land several feet in front of him with an ease that I can’t begin to explain—but I’m not complaining.