Page 53 (1/2)

The ground disappeared as we sped into the sky, the green of the Nicola Arboretum faded into obsidian with the rubber-slick wetness of so ht an explosion of color, bursts of light from spells, and my heart pounded as I silently rooted for our side to win Still, I knew that I shouldn’t be looking down The real enemy was above us I lifted my head

The carrion-stalk was taller than I’d expected, well over fifteen stories, each of its accursed segrotesque activity More of the shrikes erupted fro the air

One of the just short of rasp Or in the grasp of his rip and stu, where it would doubtless horrifically survive, shas, then join the ranks of its brethren in attack Trust the Eldest to create such twisted horrors as their underlings

“Stop fidgeting,” Bastion yelled, lifting h without you squir the taco bar pretty hard”

“Kiss ht” As if “And this is less aa scrawny little weakling”

He snorted, his breath hot “I’iven the circumstances, you actual hu this shit with you in tow?”

So that’s what he was doing I could have sere flying – you know, as if I even knehat proper arcane flight was supposed to feel like – but ourcarried upward by theonto the outside of the stalk He was actually cli

“Why the hell would Thea need to build this tower in the first place?” I yelled as we neared the top of the stalk “She could just fly if she wanted”

“Sa here, because it’s not easy to just fly or teleport with so” Bastion turned his lip up “Or husky”

“Neither the time nor the place, you colossal ass” Teleport? Carver could take at least three of us wherever he went Five, the last time he did it But he did say that he specialized in non-offensive ain: neither the time nor the place “Look We’re almost there”

“Excellent,” Bastion said, his voice dropping to a murmur “Element of surprise”

“No,” I said “You take est shadow you can find”

“The hell are you talking about? You going to run out on us already, you piece of – ”

“Will you just trust me, Bastion? Come on Just trust in Dustin”

“God I hate you and your stupid fucking catchphrase so much I hope she spears you in the face just as soon as I – ”