REONE
Reone stormed out of the conference room, jaw tight. He could feel Lyrian's glare burning into his back—silent, accusing. It took effort to ignore it. Once he was out of sight, he let out a huge, frustrated breath.
She refuses to see it, he thought, unpleasantly surprised. After everything Damon had done—after all the pain—how could she still hesitate? Damon deserved the severe punishment Mia and he had in store for him.
Reone shook off his frustration. After all, in the end, it wasn't up to Lyrian whether they did this or not. It was his decision. And he intended to stand with Mia and do what had to be done. Lyrian would just have to forgive him.
He rounded the corner toward the cabin, his thoughts still buzzing with the argument, when the jet suddenly lurched.
The floor tilted violently beneath his feet. He was thrown hard against the wall, the air punched from his lungs.
Screams echoed down the corridor.
A second later, another body slammed into him.
"Seren," Reone gasped.
Behind her, Diamond clung to Sire's arm. Nova and Mickey staggered, grabbing at the walls to keep from falling.
"Guys—what's happening?" Seren asked, panic cutting through her voice.
"Is this turbulence?" Primi asked.
Reone shook his head. "No. That didn't feel like turbulence." His voice tightened. "It felt like we were hit."
"Hit with what?" Nova demanded.
Before anyone could answer, the jet shuddered again—harder. The lights flickered. Alarms wailed as more screams tore through the jet.
Worry for Lyrian immediately filled Reone's being.
His chest tightened with fear for her.
Without thinking, he pushed forward, fighting the unsteady floor as he headed back toward the conference room.
"Where are you going?" Sire shouted after him.
"To check on Lyrian," Reone called back. "Anika and Primi too."
He barely slowed—
until the conference room doors burst open.
Lyrian stumbled out with Anika and Primi.
Relief hit Reone so hard it left him lightheaded.
Lyrian saw him at the same moment. Whatever tension had existed between them vanished instantly.
They rushed toward one another—but before they could reach each other—
—another violent jolt ripped through the jet.
Lyrian slammed a hand against the wall to stay upright. Reone staggered but forced himself forward, gripping her hand the moment he reached her.
"Hey," he said, in a breathless voice.
"I'm so glad you're okay," Lyrian said to him, locking eyes with him.
"You too," Reone said, meaning it.
"What's causing this?" Diamond cried.
"Not what," Primi said grimly.
Reone turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"It's the Sisterhood," Lyrian shouted over the alarms. "I saw Veyra, and I'm pretty sure she's conjuring up gusts of wind that are causing all this."
The words hit Reone like a blow. His stomach dropped.
"I'm guessing Nivara, Caelynn—and Damon—are here too?" Nova said.
Lyrian gave her a look that told her that this was exactly what was going through her mind.
At that moment, Mia emerged from the cabin, her face pale, eyes sharp with fear.
"Guys?" she called.
Everyone turned.
"What are you waiting for?" Mia snapped. "Get over here—now."
Lyrian and Reone exchanged a quick look before moving together toward the cabin.
The moment they reached it, a calm, mechanical voice echoed through the jet.
"Warning. Magical interference detected in navigation systems. Autopilot disengaging."
"What does that mean?" Anika asked, her voice tight with fear.
Caelynn's name immediately came to Lyrian's mind, but she didn't get to tell the others as the jet suddenly tilted downward—sharp and unmistakable.
Nova's voice rang out.
"We're losing altitude."
Most of them started screaming as the plane began its descent, clinging to a seat, a wall—anything they could grab.
Lyrian instinctively tightened her grip on Reone, and he wrapped an arm around her, bracing them both against the wall.
Another automated voice cut through the chaos.
"Warning. Terrain proximity critical. Impact imminent."
"Mickey, you need to get to the cockpit and fly this plane," Reone shouted, his voice tight with fear.
"I know—I'm heading over there!" Mickey yelled back, already stumbling down the aisle.
"Be careful!" Nova called as the jet bucked again.
Mickey didn't answer. He reached the cockpit door, slammed his hand against the panel, and it slid open. He nearly fell inside before the door sealed behind him.
Reone swallowed hard.
Please get there in time, he thought.
"Everyone—strap in!" Nova shouted. "This is going to get rough!"
No one needed to be told twice.
Lyrian and Reone hurried to the nearest seats. Reone pulled her down beside him, hands shaking as he secured her harness, then his own.
The automated voice returned, colder than before.
"Warning. Brace for impact. Warning. Warning."
Shut up, Reone thought angrily.
Lyrian clutched his arm, pressing close. Her head rested against his chest as the jet shuddered violently.
For one terrifying second, Reone was sure this was it.
He didn't want to die, he thought. And definitely not like this—when he hadn't gotten around to telling her that he loved her. Not when he and Lyrian weren't on the best of terms. Damn.
The jet suddenly tilted again—but this time it wasn't a free fall. The angle shifted, hard and controlled.
Groans rippled through the cabin as the engines roared unevenly.
Reone didn't know what it meant, but just in case it wasn't good news, he pulled back slightly and looked down at Lyrian, locking eyes with her.
"Lyrian, I—"
The jet slammed into something—jarring, brutal.
Reone grunted, cut off, while Lyrian squeezed her eyes shut as the impact rattled through the frame.
Reone wrapped both arms around her, holding her tight as the jet lurched again, then skidded.
Metal screamed. The cabin shook. Loose items flew.
Then, slowly—
they stopped.
"Is it over?" Anika asked, breathless, her face buried in Primi's chest.
Primi looked around slowly, then let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Yeah," he said. "I think so."
"Mickey did it," Reone said, awe and relief mixing in his voice.
"I—I'll go check on him," Nova said, still sounding a little shaken. She snapped herself out of it and hurried toward the cockpit.
"I don't know about you guys," Diamond said, her voice trembling, "but I am getting out of this plane. Like, right now."
"Alright, babe. Calm down—we'll get off," Sire said gently. He unstrapped himself and offered his hand. Diamond took it without hesitation, her fingers cold and shaking.
Reone turned to Lyrian. She looked shaken, her breath was still uneven, but Reone surmised that she was okay.
"Wait," he said, finally turning to Diamond and Sire. "Damon and the Sisterhood could still be out there."
"Reone's right," Primi agreed, meeting his gaze. "We need to be smart about this."
"Or we could just go get them," Mia said through gritted teeth.
"That would be reckless, considering our position," Primi said.
"What other choice do we have?" Mia shot back. "We can't stay here forever."
Primi opened his mouth to argue—but Reone cut in, turning to the window.
"Guys," he said slowly, scanning the surroundings, "I don't see Damon or the Sisterhood. I think they're gone."
"How can they be gone?" Mia demanded, clearly unimpressed.
"Who cares?" Anika said, relief flooding her voice as she stood. "Let's just get out of here."
Primi followed her, then Sire and Diamond.
Reone stood too—but hesitated. "Wait, I could be wrong , guys.They could be hiding."
"Reone," Diamond said, already moving, "there's really only one way to find out."
Reone sighed, seeing the determination on their faces. "Remember that we're being cautious."
"Yeah," Diamond said, nodding, stepping out first.
Reone offered Lyrian his hand and helped her up. He kept an arm protectively around her as they exited.
Diamond was followed by Anika, Primi, Mia, Sire, and Seren. Reone and Lyrian came out last.
A blast of icy air hit them immediately.
"Damn," Lyrian muttered, instinctively moving closer to Reone.
She scanned the area. Snow blanketed the ground and trees—a dense, frozen forest stretching in every direction.
Lyrian wondered which part of Volaria they were in.
"I thought you said flying in this thing was very safe," Primi said accusingly, her gaze fixed on Reone.
"I never said it didn't come without risks. And technically," Reone added, shifting slightly, "you are still… safe."
If looks could kill, the one Primi leveled at him would have made Reone drop dead on the spot.
"Where are we in this... Volaria?" Anika asked, her voice cutting through the tension and easing it—just a little.
"No idea," Sire said, rubbing his arms, "but I bet my boy Mickey does."
"Wait," Lyrian said. "Where are Mickey and Nova?"
"I'll go check," Seren said, her teeth chattering.
Before she could move, Nova's voice rang out from behind the jet.
"Guys—help!"
They all turned sharply.
"What's wrong?" Mia demanded.
"It's Mickey. He's unconscious," Nova said.