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Chapter Sixteen

AS DARON HELPED Sian into position Nesha couldn't help himself and he called out to the other griffons. 'Guess what. Sian's about to try free-falling.'

The other griffons got excited and Nesha suddenly thought to add, 'But don't mention it to the other women, we want to surprise them.'

'THIS SHOULD CHEER Loi up,' thought Tomiar. 'Then she can try it next.'

'Not a bad idea.' Sabyn sat up straighter in the saddle and looked around for Nesha. 'Make sure we're in a good spot to see her.'

NESHA FLEW UP to a height which would allow Sian a decent dive. Everyone's eyes followed him and the girls watched curiously while the men grinned in anticipation.

'Ready?' Daron shouted against the wind to Sian, the currents stronger at this height. Sian clung to Nesha's rump. Not exactly the place you want to be when trying to impress the guy you're crushing on, but oh well.

'Ready!' she yelled.

'WHAT'S NESHA DOING?' Loi twisted to look up at Sabyn. Wow, his eyes are gorgeous, she noticed; a real glacial blue. He started to speak then stopped, staring at something beyond her. Loi turned back just in time to see Sian plummet past them.

I FELT THE breath whoosh out of my chest. Sian, her arms outstretched, had just hurtled past us at an immense speed and, unlike on Earth, without a parachute attached.

Oh holy Goddess!

Terror flooded my limbs making them heavy and useless while everything appeared red to my eyes.

KASSIE WHIMPERED IN horror at the sight of Sian falling to her certain death. She could feel a strange rushing sensation through her limbs and the outer edge of her vision glowed yellow.

LOI GASPED, HER body trembled in anxiety and shock while an immense feeling grew within, her eyes seeing things in a green light.

THE THREE WOMEN glowed with energy and the effect on the griffons was electric. Tomiar, Loushka and Kerak all screamed in alarm at the energy swell they felt.

'MAKE THEM STOP!' They screeched at the men in unison.

GREDEL AND PHROMA watched in astonishment at the glowing women and the men, who shook the women and shouted at them.

'Where's Sian?' Gredel suddenly thought to Phroma.

'Daron and Nesha just grabbed her, she's glowing blue!'

'CATHERINE!' ALEK ROARED at the woman glowing an intense red, she got hotter to the touch with every moment.

'Hurry Alek. Or I'm going to have to drop her.'

Loushka knew that an energy pulse like the last one Cat had thrown out would knock her unconscious. It'd be better to drop the woman and snatch her back after she'd released. Loushka hoped it wouldn't come to that.

'I'm sorry, Cat,' Alek hissed through clenched teeth. He gave her a swift slap across the face.

THE BLOW JERKED my mind back like I'd been dashed with cold water and I gaped at Alek, one hand to my stinging cheek.

'IT WORKED!' EXULTED Loushka. She let the others know.

A collective sigh of relief rose from the men and griffons when the women returned to their normal colors. Each of them slumped in the saddles, exhausted from the sudden, immense swell of energy they'd created. A sudden vibration from the metal cuff he wore made Alek jolt in shock, then Elena's voice burst into his mind.