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Chapter 1

“Nothing in the Temple is given. It is earned.” 

Farasee Esau Nakumba—one of the priests from the holiest temple in the empyrean—looked over the multitude of Ascendants floating before him. His expression was unimpressed. Almost bored.

“You have until dawn descends into twinight to make it inside Temple Efysis. Fail and you forfeit your Ascension.”

Slowly, I tipped my head back and looked up. Then frowned, narrowing my eyes at the sight ahead. It was absurd the distance we were expected to fly before the dawn ended. From where I was floating, I couldn’t even see the end of our destination. It went beyond the clouds.

“This is going to be a special kind of Hèls,” muttered Ellabeth from my right. 

I nodded at my best friend, eyes still glued to the treacherous waterfall we were supposed to fly not up but through. 

“We can do it. We just need to stick together.” 

Ellabeth sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than me. I looked at the rushing water, already picturing how I would handle the pressure beating against my wings, as I made my way through it. The water was thick, heavy, and cutting. There was no smoothness to it. It was violent and angry.

This was going to be brutal.

I sighed, lowering my head to look back at Farasee Esau. Wiping dripping sweat from my brow, I scooted closer to Ellabeth. Enough to where our wings—all seven pairs—ended up meshing together. I used the end of one wing to fan myself. It didn’t help much. The sweltering island heat was unbearable. But hot air was starting to feel better than no air at all.

I floated above the seafloor with Ellabeth, curling my arm through hers. Sweat formed at the nape of my neck and began slipping down my spine on the inside of my flying gown. I was starting to get annoyed. I didn’t do well with the heat, and this dawn was scorching hot.

“You will begin your flight one at a time,” Farasee Esau continued. “There will be no hand holding. No assisting one another. Yes, this will be one of the most difficult tasks you will be required to perform. No, we do not care.”

The priest glared at us with eyes glowing like molten amber. His sun-kissed skin glowed beneath the sunlight under his ivory robes. Most Farasees had tassels and other ornaments hanging from their robes to show they were a Farasee, and to prove their status among the Order itself. Not this one. He seemed to care less. The hardened planes of his chiseled face was warning enough. He was not the priest to mess with.

“The journey to the temple is simple: fly through the Starfelliel waterfall, then run, not fly, across the Goldstone Bridge. Spread your wings, and be prepared to shed your blood. When you finish your run across the bridge you will fly to the temple gates. Make it through the gates and you’ll find a clear path to the temple. Make it into the temple and you will have successfully completed the Starfellien Ascent.” 

He tilted his head, a small smile curling his lips. I shuddered at the sight.

“Then, and only then, will we begin to consider you as Ascendants. Once you complete your first trial in the temple, you will become Disciples.”

Angelic wings pulsed all around me. The majority of would-be Ascendants began fanning themselves. I relished in the beauty of all the different colors. Red and blue. Yellow and deep green. Every angel here was a Seraphim—the third highest rank of all twelve angelic ranks—and their feathered wings were as colorful as our vibrant island of Ouanaviel. 

I looked at the waterfall thinking through my strategy. It was a lot of water to climb without opportunity to get any air. None of us were Merriens—sea bound beings who could survive underwater without needing air to breathe—we’d all been born on land. But the Farasee Order wanted us to fly through a blasted waterfall. Stars. All of it was nonsensical. 

“Every generation of Disciples must go through the Starfellien Ascent,” Farasee Esau said. “I would assume your parentlings told you this, but in the case they didn’t, keep your whining to yourselves. You’re not the first to go through it, nor will you be the last. Ascend, or enlarge the Hèls.”  

I looked around at my fellows who were all seeking the same thing as me. The honor of Ascending as a Disciple who could one dawn join the Farasee Order. To serve our Great Infinite in the holiest temple. To dedicate our lives to the righteous morality of the empyrean. 

Selfishly, I also wanted to enter the Order so I could righteously hunt down the Fallen Prince and make him pay in blood for what he did to my Manmi. My mother would be alive this dawn if it wasn’t for him. I wouldn’t rest until I saw him broken, bleeding, and burning in the Hèls for what he’d done to her.

There was an electric charge in the air, filled with excitement and ambition. Ellabeth and I floated near the back of the gathered would-be Ascendants. The entire class who’d received acceptance scrolls looked to be around seven thousand strong. 

That made me nervous. Manmi always said the temple only accepted three thousand Disciples. Which meant she’d been warning me. The competition just to get in the temple would be fierce.

It wasn’t lost on me that the majority of the Ascendants were all males. Sporadically, spread among them I could make out the heads of those who were females. Almost all of them clung to their male counterparts who seemed to be familiar to them. 

I couldn’t blame them. Manmi had warned me about that. Male hostility in the temple was a known thing. They’d been indoctrinated with the stupidity that females didn’t belong in the Farasee Order. 

That never stopped us from trying to Ascend. 

But I wasn’t stupid. I had to be careful. 

I looked at Farasee Esau. I wonder what he thought. Did he hate us, too? Did he think our attempts were futile? 

As if he could sense me, those ferocious eyes cut through the multitude of angels and looked directly at me.

Stars.

Exactly what I didn’t want.

Gradually every head turned to look back at me. I counted down from three waiting for them to notice the inevitable. 

Sure enough, as the angels looked and saw my eyes, their expressions started changing. In the blink of an eye, I was surrounded by a sea of enemies. I lifted my chin and squared my shoulders. 

“Safah Eloise Anathelle, I didn’t think you would make it. Good to see you’ve come to carry the torch of tradition.” 

Esau curled his lips. It looked more like a sneer than anything else. I said nothing. It was bait. Manmi had warned me about this, too.

Avoid speaking when spoken to, especially if it’s a Farasee. Chances are, they don’t want a response. They want an excuse to push your limits. And this, my fifi, always ends in blood.

I had too much pride to lower my eyes, but everyone staring was starting to make me itch. Ellabeth squeezed my arm as a cruel voice spoke out over the crowd, dripping with hatred.

“Here we go again. More Anathelle swine trying to pollute the Farasee Order.”

 

Chapter 2

I whipped my head around to find the source of the voice. I was ready to beat their wings in and see if they had the talons to say it again.

“Tharic Zamarien, don’t be so quick to forget your wings haven’t  been forged as an Ascendant yet. You will treat Safah, and every angel here, with respect.”

Okay, so maybe Farasee Esau wasn’t so bad. At least I could count on him treating us all equally. I scoured the clustering angels to find Tharic. The egotistical ashrat was towards the front of our numerous group. He floated above the sandy floor as if he were our king. 

I scowled. Tharic was tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular. His Papi made sure he’d been trained well. His pale skin looked luminescent under the sunlight. He stared at me with a strong jawline and piercing gold eyes that matched his golden hair and wings. Tharic Zamarien glared at me like I was the sea rot beneath his new sandals. I glared back wanting to peel his skin and let him roast.

Instantly I knew he was cut from the same cloth as the rest of his family. Zamariens were full of pride, wealth, and had the ear of the Empràr. I always wondered how they’d earn the ear and trust of the emperor. They were notorious for demanding the Farasee Order remove all its females since they thought we “tainted” the Order. Females were nothing more than playthings to a Zamarien. 

No one was louder on this front then Farasee Kaelthos Zamarien, Tharic’s Papi. Manmi taught me, according to him, females were to be seen and not heard. Our place were in our home villas as wingmates, bearing younglings and keeping the villa in order. The thought was so astronomically preposterous I nearly threw up on the spot.

“You don’t belong here, Anathelle,” Tharic spat. The angels had fallen silent. “You’re not fit. You’re only here because your Manmi is dead. A waste. A bag of bones even the Fallen dogs didn’t care to lick up themselves when they finished with her.”

I flinched, snapping my head back as if I’d been struck. Stars. That blow hit true. And it hurt. As a family, we Anathelles were still mourning Manmi’s loss. And this demon of a Zamarien decided to use the loss of her life as a weapon against me. 

Well, two could play that game. I was a grown female. Not some suckling child that couldn’t defend herself. If he wanted to go low, I would go straight to the Hèls.

“I’m here because I actually have a brain, sunburned ashrat.” I crossed my arms. “Or are you so slow you couldn’t take two seconds to read that I scored the highest marks as both a Spirit Filer and an Incense Fuser on my Ascendant exams. It’s pretty public knowledge.” 

I batted my lashes at him, smiling sweetly.  Like poison. 

“Unlike you who needed your Papi to convince the Order to let you in on…let me check my notes again…oh that’s right. On principle,” I said, and pointed to my temple. “Even though you’re dumber than a chest of seashells.”

Ellabeth wheezed. A male floating close to us, with pretty brown, hawkish eyes, grinned wide, eagerly looking between Tharic and I. 

Tharic scowled, his eyes flashing with fire. I watched him. The tightness of his breaths. The veins crawling up his neck. His hands turning into fists.  If he was going to attack, I would be ready for him. 

Manmi always said Zamariens had short tempers, long mouths, and cruel hearts. I could never let myself be caught by a Zamarien, especially alone. Their hatred for Anathelles ran long. Deep. It didn’t help I had over seven generations of Matriarchs serving as Farasees in the Temple, outside of Manmi who was killed by a Fallen attack at the Seal Gate—the portal between Hallowed and Fallen angelic realms. 

“Enough,” Esau cut in, stifling a yawn. He pinched the bridge of his nose as if he was developing a headache just from being in our presence for too long. “There will be no violence in your ascent. Am I clear?”

“As glass, Farasee.” I answered Esau, but I kept my eyes on Tharic.

Tharic didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. His eyes promised all I needed to know.

Violence.

“All eyes on me.” Esau didn’t have to raise his voice. Every head snapped to attention. Even Tharic. 

I linked arms with Ellabeth again, trying to calm my racing hearts. All seven were beating like wild drums. I had to get through my first dawn without fighting. Just this first one. 

“I hope he chokes on the way up.”

I slid my gaze to her aquamarine ones. “Out for blood?”

“He ticked me off.”

I snorted. Same.

“Once complete, your results will be distributed throughout the Farasee Order across all twelve Sorellien Islands. It’s important for the temples across the Ouanaviel Empyrean to know about this generation of Ascendants aspiring to be Disciples. Those who excel, will also be noted by High Farasee Manazzra Ahabiah, and the Profèt of our empyrean, Profèt Samael.” 

Ellabeth and I gasped.

High Farasee Manazzra Ahabiah? The male was a Faraseeical legend. He’d been alive since the beginning of the Fifth Age. He’d seen the formation of the Ouanaviel Empyrean from its inception. There would be no Farasee Order if it wasn’t for him. Profèt Samael wouldn’t even be the leading voice of spirituality for the empyrean, if it wasn’t for Manazzra.

If I did well during my first season in the temple, he would know? 

Stars. 

I’d do whatever it took to make sure the High Farasee learned of me. My Matriarchs had paved the way. Now it was my turn.

“Do us all a favor,” Esau said. He crossed his arms. “Don’t die.”

My eyebrows shot to my hairline.

“I’m sorry,” Ellabeth said. “What did he just say?”

“Any questions?” Esau asked with a voice that suggested he didn’t actually want to answer any. Hands shot into the air. The Farasee sighed. He folded those battering rams he called arms and picked an angel close to him. 

The female had pink hair, tawny brown skin, and a little bounce in her float, her pink wings bouncing, too. I pressed my lips into a thin line. She was too cheery. Too excited. 

She was not making it in.

“When do the gates close?”

“Why do you care? Make it in before they do. Next?” Farasee Esau snapped.

“I swear, I hope he doesn’t become my Presbitari. I wouldn’t be able to deal with him as my professor,” grumbled the male with the pretty brown eyes. He was wrinkling his nose at Farasee Esau in annoyance. 

I laughed. “What if you do?”

The male looked at me.  “I’ll pluck my own wings out. No lie.”

Ellabeth and I laughed. 

“Safah,” I said, smiling up at him. 

“Daelun.”

“I’m Ellabeth,” Ellabeth said from around my shoulder, keeping her voice low. “Your eyes are really pretty. You could break some hearts with those.”

Daelun’s grin stretched, his brown eyes glittering. “I’m worse with my mouth.”

I grinned wide. I liked him already.

“If we survive this Hèls of a climb, friends?” I asked him.

“Who am I to deny an Anathelle?” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows. “Absolutely yes.”

Ellabeth and I laughed. He was funny and cute. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. We turned back to Esau. 

I was ready to Ascend. 

I’d been trained my entire life for this moment. Manmi had Ascended all the way into the Order as a Farasee. So did Granmanmi. So did Great-Granmanmi. And my Manmi before her. I would not be the first of our bloodline to fail.

“Let us begin. When my apprentice, Apprenti Assefah, calls your name, enter the waterfall. He will only call you once. So pay attention!” 

“Taraji Hoksa!” called Assefah, floating by Farasee Esau in his purple Apprenti robes.

I didn’t bother looking at who it was. I needed to concentrate. I took deep breaths, regulating my heartbeats. My hands pricked with needles, but I refused to give in to nerves. The time had come. I would Ascend.

“Marai Vithoria.”

“Anida Melin.”

“Kyree Forrest.”

“Ellabeth Riventhelle.”

Ellabeth squealed quietly. “I love you. I’ll see you inside!”

Ellabeth squeezed me, and I squeezed back. “I love you, too. Show them how it’s done!”

She beamed, and released me, cutting through the thick crowd with the grace of a dancer. Her light blonde hair shone prettily beneath the sun as her wintry colored wings flapped behind her. Her flight robes were loose around her limbs but still hugged her slender frame in a flattering way. 

I watched my best friend—for the entirety of my one thousand cycles—fly forward. Without hesitation, she spread all seven pairs of her wings and dove into the waterfall. Once she was fully submerged, I couldn’t see her any longer. I threw up a prayer to the Infinite, praying Ellabeth would be alright and make it successfully to the temple.

More names were called in rapid succession.

“Lavender eyes is all alone now.”

“Let’s see if she makes it like her weak Manmi.”

“Really. She died at the hands of Fallen. How pathetic.”

Jeers were hurled my way like bricks but I said nothing, ignoring them all. Manmi always said the biggest key to conquering entry into the temple was focus. Distraction meant death. These idiots would not be given the satisfaction.

“She’ll die before she makes it in.”

“I hope so. Tired of seeing these Anathelle bloodthorns among the Order.”

My cheeks flushed. I didn’t give in to the bait. I’d been called a whore before. I wouldn’t let it throw me off my game now.

Focus, Safah.

“Safah Anathelle.”

Finally.

I flew into the air, above the remaining Ascendants. I reached the waterfall, took one deep, steadying breath, and dove in.

Stars. 

The water was heavy. At least it was as clear as the Ouanaviel Sea. I could see in front and above me, which was all that mattered. Every few strides there were pockets where I could duck my head in for air before I kept flying. 

Bracing myself, I spread my wings and began cutting through the water after the angel above me. While pressing through the heavy peals of water, I heard the call for the next angel to begin the ascent after me. Bone chilling terror spilled into my blood.

“Next. Tharic Zamarien!”

Chapter 3

I wasn’t going to die. Not this dawn. Not by the hands of a Zamarien no less. I turned my wings into an extension of my arms, using all seven pairs to scoop and push through the water. Each thrust of my wings allowed me to surge higher, creating distance behind me. I cut through layer after layer of water. I could not let Tharic catch up with me. 

I maneuvered through the waterfall with great effort, forcing my way through, pushing against each rushing wave. But the waterfall pushed back. Like a living force, water slammed into me, wave after wave, trying to drag me down. 

I found an open pocket, churning with water. Tucking in my wings, I aimed myself like a spear. Pulling on my starfire, I launched through the water. When my body hit the pocket, it shot me higher up the waterfall, like the explosion of a geyser. 

Thankful for some momentum, I whipped out my wings, and began meticulously climbing through this wretched waterfall, pushing higher. 

Stars. Ellabeth had been so right. 

This was a special kind of Hèls.

My muscles were already straining from the effort. I blinked droplets from my eyes. My chest squeezed. I wanted a break to catch my breath. Looking above, I counted six air pockets. When I made it to the sixth, I would let myself take a break. 

Just ahead of me was a brown-skinned male. He was colored like sand, with short-cropped brown hair, and a tall, muscular form. He navigated through the water as if he spent every waking moment swimming around the Ouanaviel Island. The male bent to look down at me. Then he focused on a spot further down, past me.

“Little prey,” Tharic called. My hearts seized. “I’m coming for you.” 

Trying not to panic, I cut through the water harder. Faster. I pushed my wings to their limits. Tharic was both taller and stronger. I was going to have to rely on my nimbleness if I was going to make it out of this waterfall alive. 

The male above looked at me and said, “Go. Pass me. I’ll distract him.”

I blinked. Was he helping me? But we weren’t supposed to help each other. He could forfeit Ascension.

“Hey, I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry.” He nudged his head. “Go. I’m not actually helping you. I’m just…slowing him down. Which also benefits me.” 

He winked and moved to the side, waiting for me to swim past him.

“Safah,” I called out, finding thanks insufficient. “I’m Safah…and thank you. Infinitely.”

“Omarion,” he called out, using his wings to swim down. “And I know who you are. The Wyliums love the Anathelles.” 

Omarion winked at me with those light green eyes of his, so light they looked hazel. I kept swimming as he headed for Tharic. The waterfall began to curve, the current flowing down through the columns of the Starfell Mountains. I followed the bend, enjoying the breather with the curve. My hearts pumped less which made reserving my air easier. 

Leaning to the side, I used my wings to fly through the water, instead of swim. I gained speed, aiming for the next air pocket. The moment I reached it, I took a deep gulp of air, flooding my internal air reserves, before the pocket launched me upwards.

Sneaking a peek below, I found Omarion already swimming away from Tharic, expertly maneuvering through the water. I searched for Tharic’s form, finding him multiple wingspans behind. Whatever Omarion had done had royally ticked him off. His pale cheeks were splotchy with crimson.

After Tharic, a female was swimming through her Ascent. She was pretty with wide silver eyes, deep umber skin, and long, ivory hair. 

“Stars, I’ve waited so long to finally Ascend,” she squealed.

Idiot. I wanted to throttle her for opening her mouth.

Tharic heard the female, turned, and rushed down to meet her. Before she could react, Tharic wrapped his wings around her petite frame, snapped her neck, and punctured her chest with one of his talons. He ripped the talon out, and slapped all seven pairs of his wings into her body, sending her hurling through the water until she collided, face first, into the waterfall’s side. 

I flinched as her body snapped against the rock, her golden blood seeping through the water, turning the waterfall into a grave. 

I blinked, conflicted. What about her spirit? Her body couldn’t just be left here. Her spirit had to be siphoned so it could be filed. Everything inside of me screamed to swim to her lifeless body and collect her abandoned spirit. 

“Safah, go,” Omarion called.

I blinked and realized he’d already reached me, and swam right past, headed for the next peak of the waterfall that would push out to the edge of the Goldstone Bridge. Tharic turned away from the female he’d just killed and looked up at me.

“There’s my little prey.” He grinned. I felt sick. “You’re next.”

I whipped around, cutting through the water faster than before. Omarion was swift. One moment, I was pushing through the water after him. The next, he was gone. 

Blessed lights. 

The bloodshed had already started. 

The waterfall curved from the center of the Starfelliel Mountains, and through an ivory cave lit up with chromatic light. I rushed through, taking in bits of the beauty. Ivory rock stacked atop each other, while the water flowed down each step like a rushing river. At the center was a rocky step way that led all the way to the top. At the base of each step, the rock was also lit with chromatic light. In here, the trees were ivory with golden leaves and iridescent colored fruit. It was a magical sight. 

I quickly looked away and pushed through the water. The waterfall curved again. Angling my body, I chose to fly. Swimming was too slow. Not with Tharic gaining on my heels. 

I took the bend of the upcoming curve, thrusting myself toward the next air pocket. I snapped my wings, the sound like a thunderclap. Loud and jarring, a wave of water rushed down as the motion propelled me upward. 

Now it was a straight shot. I’d reached the part of the waterfall that rose into the clouds. Here was where the Ouanaviel Island joined to the the islet above where Temple Efysis was rooted. I repeated the motion, needing to create more distance between me and Tharic. 

I navigated through a new rush of water, begging for this infernal stretch of the Ascent to end. With another thrust of my wings through hardened water, I saw the shining edge of the Goldstone Bridge. Propelling myself upward, I raced for the bridge, desperate to be free of this hèllish waterfall. Then:

“Gotcha, little prey.”

No.

I whipped around just as Tharic slammed his wings into my spine. I went hurling through and out of the waterfall. I barreled onto the platform of the Goldstone Bridge, rolling over three times before coming to a stop. I screamed, agonizing pain flooding my water-logged body. 

Focus, Safah.

I opened my eyes, breathing through my teeth past the stinging heat licking my bones. I’d made it onto the bridge. 

MOVE.

I rolled to my stomach, pushed to my feet, and ran. 

“For Infinite’s sake! Just die!” Tharic roared, coming up behind me, running after me at full speed.

“How about you piss off, first,” I called back, racing across the bridge.

If I wasn’t trying to avoid certain death, I would take time to admire the beauty of the Goldstone Bridge. It was long, elongating across a pathway cut straight through the clouds. 

On either side, all you could see were the billows. There was no telling just how high we were. There were no rails on the bridge, and each golden brick was three times the size of my head.

I swallowed past the beating drums in my chest. I pushed Tharic to the recesses of my mind. I needed to concentrate. One foot in front of the other. Run. 

Up ahead were two females. They looked like sisters. As I neared them, I couldn’t help but feel sorry. One of them had slipped. The other was trying to pull her up over the side of the bridge. 

Both were losing the battle. 

Where the one was pulling, it looked like the bricks beneath her sandals were lifting. If they pushed up any further, she’d go sliding off the side of the bridge, too. I stormed past, screaming at them breathless.

“Tharic…behind me…hates females. He’ll kill you…RUN!”

I didn’t look back once I passed them. They could do with my warning what they wanted. As for me, I was crossing this bridge alive. 

I ran until I neared a layer of brick that rose up like steps. I ran up the steps without a thought. Only to find a dead end on the other side. And a wide chasm across to the other side. To cross, I’d have to jump. 

Merciful Infinite, help me.

I didn’t dare slow down. I raced across at full speed. And jumped.

For a moment, I was weightless. Then my body began hurling towards the bridge floor. When I landed, I rolled twice, pushed to my feet, and kept running. I kept my wings snapped into my spine so I could go faster. Behind me, I heard endless screaming. 

Then a snap. A crunch.  Another set of screaming. 

Something whizzed past my head, landing several paces ahead.  When I ran past the object, I saw it was three talons, ripped from the jointed points of wings.

Burning Tharic Zamarien. 

What a barbarian.

I didn’t let myself think about the females. About how he’d surely tossed them over like a bag of feathers. All I could do was run or else the next one he’d toss over the side of this bridge would be me.

Chapter 4

“You will not make it into the temple, little prey.”

I ignored him, racing like a pegasus across the bridge.

“You Zamariens don’t know when to shut up, do you?” 

Tharic’s sandals sounded closer. No matter how hard I tried, the distance between us kept narrowing. One moment. I just needed one moment to see how close he was. 

I chanced it, whipping my head back. The instant our eyes connected, I regretted my decision. Pure hatred colored his eyes like flaming fire. Tharic snarled, throwing sunbolts at my back. 

I whipped around. Drawing on my starfire, I created a shield. It glittered like a million stars. I pounded across the brick needing to catch my breath. I was still tired from the swim. Tharic on the other hand was running like the swim up the waterfall was a warm up.   

“Just give in, little prey. I’ll keep it short.”

“Is that what you tell every female knowing you can’t make it longer even if you tried?”

Tharic cursed. I leapt forward, landing hard on a brick just as he whipped out a wing to jab at my spine. 

The bridge rumbled. Swayed. 

The bricks shifted beneath my feet. 

I yelped, tumbling to the ground, rolling with the bridge. To my utter embarrassment, Tharic was still on his two feet bracing himself with his arms spread out. I drew up my knees. Through the cloudy fog, an enormous slide sprang out of the bridge, sliding down into the clouds.

I had a choice. Take the slide or let Tharic kill me. I chose the slide. 

Without caution, I shot for the edge of the bridge, pushed off the end, and slid.

The slide was carved entirely of gold, looping down into a curl that encircled three times before swirling into a rise that disappeared beyond the clouds. The moment I slid down, my hearts leapt into my throat. 

A headiness overwhelmed me. I was utterly mesmerized, and terrified, all at the same time. I couldn’t breathe for excitement. For fear. Adrenaline coursed through my veins. Thankfully my flight robes had an under legging component that kept me covered. The further down I slid, the faster I went. 

Tharic dove after me. 

I silently screamed at his tenacity.

Looking down, I jerked all my wings forward and yanked on the sides of the slide. An instant rush of speed sent me flying down. I curved with the bend, letting the momentum propel me forward. Tucking in my arms, my body rushed through the loop, soaring overhead as I spun upside down, rushed through the loop and was sent racing down the next leg of the slide. 

For a moment, it felt as if it was just me and the clouds. This far out, I couldn’t even see the Goldstone Bridge. Couldn’t see the other Ascendants running for their lives. I could barely even make out Tharic on the slide through the thickness of the clouds. 

I felt weightless. Free. In control.

Then the slide swirled into a zigzagging pattern that sent my body reeling from side to side. I rammed to one side, then I was tossed to the other, before being shot once again into the air. 

Except this time, the slide had no end. I blinked. 

Stars.

I was going to have to jump.

Hearts thrumming, I squinted through the press of billowy clouds, desperately searching for any inkling of where the bridge was. 

I caught a twinkling of gold in the distance. 

The momentum of the slide sent me careening into the air. I floated into the clouds, weightless, before my body weight shifted, and began yanking me down. I looked down, only seeing endless clouds. There was no bridge in sight. Panic flittered in my chest. 

This could not be where I died.

Still tumbling through the air, I jerked. I itched to snap out my wings, but I didn’t dare. Bricks of gold rushed into view, crumbling on either side for several long stretches. Ignoring my rising fear, I tucked my knees in. As the bridge rose, and my body descended, I let out my wings just enough to help me tuck and roll. 

I collided with the bridge and went sprawling. I’d landed too hard. Too fast. I spun, out of control, unable to stop myself.

“No,” I squealed. 

I tried clinging to the brick. My hands were as slippery as water. I gripped on to nothing. My body nearly slid off the side of the bridge. Jerking my wings, and gripping the edge, I snapped my body to the side against the momentum and threw myself back to the middle of the bridge. 

Finally at a place where I could get control of my balance, I shot to my feet and ran.

And not a moment too soon.

Tharic landed at the center of the bridge. Perfectly. On the balls of his feet, already in a full sprint after me. 

My sandals slapped the brick as I raced across the next stretch. It wound into curves and loops. Squinting, I gauged the distance between each gap. As I neared the first set of winding bridge-way, instead of following the loop, I leapt over them altogether.

“At least you’re not a complete idiot,” Tharic called from behind me.

I turned in time to see him leaping just like I’d just done. I turned back around, breathing opened mouth, gasping for air. My ribs burned. My muscles ached. I needed water so bad.

There were several Ascendants before me running for dear life, all of us trying to beat an invisible clock. The male at the very front leapt off the bridge, tumbling into endless clouds, headed for the temple gates. Then a female followed him. And then another. I envied their progress, forcing my own feet to move faster.

Ahead of me was a male. His gait had slowed. He was limping. He’d been wounded. He had his wings out to help him with balance. That was great and all, but they were taking up all the room on the bridge. Not daring to see how close Tharic got, I rushed ahead and shoved the male out of my way.

“What in the stars—”

“I’m sorry…but…gotta…go,” I called over my shoulder, running faster.

“You can’t just push angels out of the way like that, Anathelle! You need to—”

Then the angel was screaming. 

“All that blasted talking,” Tharic snarled. “Burning useless.”

I turned my head to the side. The male Tharic had thrown tumbled down, down, down. 

Then he spread his wings.

No.

I wanted to scream. To tell him to not fight it. 

But it was too late. 

He opened his wings, starting to fly back to the bridge. Three stareagles surged out of the cloudy heavens. The stareagles rushed him, tearing into his flesh with their talons. They shredded his wings, tore at his skin, and ripped him apart. Then they dragged him away as he screamed. 

Focus, Safah.

I started leaping to gain speed and distance. To outmatch Tharic. But the burning asheater still kept gaining on me. Kept taunting me. I thought about Manmi. I thought of all the Matriarchs that made it into the temple before me. 

I had to make it.

I gained some speed, passing another male. Moments later he was tossed off the bridge by Tharic. 

I caught up to, and passed, a female. I heard the snap of her neck, then her wings, before I caught the whoosh of wind as her lifeless body went hurling off the side of the bridge.

So, brutality against females was sport to Zamariens. I made a mental note and cleared more of the bridge.

I ran past three more males, all of whom were tossed off. None got a chance to put up a fight. Nearing the end of the bridge, I threw up a silent prayer of thanks to the Infinite. I ran two more paces.

Then Tharic was on me.

One moment my feet were slapping against brick. The next, I was being body slammed from behind like a bloodhyena into the side of a mountain. 

I went hurtling through the air, soaring over the bridge. I landed on the stones with a definitive crack. I couldn’t even tell what was broken. I hurt everywhere. I rolled over to get up. But Tharic was on me again. He bashed a wing into my side. Then another. A sandaled foot collided into my face. Then it stomped into my neck. My stomach.

Brutality.

He didn’t plan to make this quick. Which meant I had time to get away. Tharic came in for another kick, but I rolled, shot back to my feet, and ran.

“What in the rot?” Tharic screamed. “You Anathelles just don’t know how to die! Well, except for your Manmi.”

Oh, how I wished to turn around and slap the taste out of his mouth. But I had no time. I was close to the end of the bridge. This jungle-raised baboon wasn’t going to make me miss it. 

I ran with all my might, ignoring the dripping blood. The searing pain. The ache in my body. I had a legacy to uphold. I had a family to make proud. I had an empyrean to defend. 

I would Ascend.

I ran for the end of the bridge, tasting victory. I slammed my feet into the bricks. Then an explosion erupted beneath the stones. And the bridge beneath us collapsed.

Chapter 5

Fear coiled its scaly hide around my throat like a sandviper and squeezed. I had never been afraid of heights—always flying into the clouds where I didn’t belong and flying to heights most angels didn’t dare. I’d always felt the safest, the calmest, on high ground. Falling didn’t easily scare me, either.

But falling while forbidden to fly? That was something even Manmi hadn’t prepared me for.

My stomach rolled, twisting in knots, as I tumbled weightlessly through layered billows and clouds. Had I passed the bridge? Could I fly now? What if I chanced it and forfeited Ascension?

I tumbled, gaining speed the further I descended. I blinked away tears as my body remained in an awkward tangle while I struggled with what to do. My mind was frazzled. I had to think. 

Tuck and roll.

I strained against the wind, twisting the full length of my body so I could bring in my knees. I spread out two pairs of wings, curling them over my form. I spread out another pair so they could be used to push off the ground. The remaining four pairs I kept loose, in case I needed to grip or climb.

Clapping sounds—like shifting rock and thunder—sounded above. I kept my hands out before me, trying to brace for whatever would come. Blinking through the haze of clouds, I saw something shining. It was ivory. Smooth in a few places, but jagged rock in most. There were glittering stars littered all over it. As I squinted, trying to make sense of what I was seeing, the image cleared. 

I gasped.

It was the Efysien rock base that upheld the entire islet. 

I shifted my weight, preparing for a hard collision. The clouds began to clear. The mountain came into view. And the fast-approaching rocky ground was rushing to meet me.

“Rot,” I hissed. 

This was going to hurt. Like everything else in this cursed ascent. 

I calculated the drop. To the left, the rocky base sloped out into nothing but cloud. I assumed that end led straight to the Ouanaviel Sea far below. Certain death. 

To the right was a high slab of white. Very few ridges were on the sides of the mountain. The bridge collapsed before I could make it on the platform which meant I still couldn’t fly. I’d have to climb the side of this mountain.

I was growing enraged. I was dirty. Hungry. Tired. Wounded. And for stars sake, I now had to scale this mountain rock to get into the temple? 

Hot tears prickled the back of my eyes. How in the stars would I make it into the temple on time? How was I going to carry on what Manmi died to uphold? Fatigue flooded my body, making my wings droop, and my head hang.

I neared the rocky platform. A sudden gust of wind sent me hurtling into the rock. I jut out my wings, keeping my arms locked around my knees. I hit the rock, hard, my wings taking the brunt. The two pairs kept me rolling over the landing. I found myself skidding to a halt, right at the very edge of the rock. With the other pair of wings, I pushed off, rolling into a run. 

The ground beneath me was deceiving. It looked jagged in many places. But it was actually soft.

Too soft.

I slipped, and fell, slamming my shoulder into the ground.

“Burning stars!” I cried. “What kind of torment is this?”

“Ready to give up yet, little prey?”

I wanted to scream.

I’d forgotten all about Tharic.

I shot to my feet, using my wings to walk. I bent low enough so my talons could punch holes into the ground and help propel me forward. I slipped three more times, but kept my footing. Once I reached the rocky side of the mountain base, I looked up. And up. And up.

I sighed, my shoulders sagging like weights. Reeling myself, I took a long gulp of air and began to climb. Smooth as glass, there was almost no hold to cling to. I noticed in random places where small punctures in the rock had been made. 

So. That’s how the angels before me made it up. 

Gathering my nerves, I placed hands in the holes and began pulling myself up. It took several minutes of trial and error to figure it out, but I managed. It was painstakingly slow, but I climbed. I heard Tharic through the clouds, slipping and falling, cursing each time he lost the progress he made. 

I almost smiled. 

Almost.

I wasn’t willing to test fate just yet, lest I slip and end up right by him.

The breeze of the clouds carried a soothing chill. Sweat crawled across my brow and slipped down my spine inside my flight robes. Twice my feet slipped. But I kept my hold. A familiar hum of tension in my muscles began to sing. I fell into the rhythm of the climb. Pushing through, I rose higher, until I could start making out the edge of the platform above.

The clouds began thickening the closer I got, making it hard to see the edge clearly. The air smelled light. Like it always did in my home garden at the cool of dawn. 

I was getting close to the temple.

Excitement filled my blood. I picked up the pace until I finally made it. I crested the rocky side and pulled up onto a perfect, even marble surface. The golden platform spilled out in every direction. Much like the Goldstone Bridge. 

The moment I gained my footing, I spread my wings and took flight. My side throbbed but I couldn’t stop to feel it now. I had to make it into the temple. I flew with all my might, beating all seven wing pairs against the rushing wind around me. The harder I flew, the harder the wind pushed against me. But I didn’t care, I wasn’t going to give up. 

Curving through layers of clouds, slicing through the billows, I pulsed my wings. Then the sprawling glory of Temple Efysis came into view. 

The obelisk was higher than I could see in full view, even if I craned my neck. It was wider than any building in Ouanaviel. 

Twelve angels—one from each rank—hovered above the golden floors by ethèr—innate, supernatural, angelic power—carved out of crystal and glass, sculpted to absolute perfection. Every detail that differentiated their rank could be seen. They each had open mouths, and between each mouth, a ball of iridescent fire burned. 

Dripping, curling vines of crystal twisted beautifully around Temple Efysis itself like vines in a garden. Staggering steps led up to the open doors that framed the entrance. 

The temple seemed broken up into sections and layers. The higher the levels, the more glass and golden stones could be seen. At the very top was a golden dome with ivory fire surrounding it. A massive sunlion perched on either side, roaring as they watched all of us Ascendants racing for the temple. 

That had to be the living quarters of Profèt Samael. No one, except for High Farasee Manazzra, could visit with the Profèt. I gaped in awe, jaw hanging at the opulence, the grandeur, the absolute resplendence of it all. 

I looked at the grand moat around the Temple, with pristine blue waters like the Ouanaviel Sea and swirling, ivory platforms curling through them, covered in an array of large, sculpted, golden bowls. On either side of the long path winding up to the temple, statues of high towering angels stood. Between the angels were the Pagali—Pegasikind, sunlions, and stareagles. 

I flew toward the temple in awe. And almost flew straight into the gates…and the creatures guarding them.

I came to a screeching halt, slapping my wings into the golden floor, bringing myself to stop just in time. I had no words for what I saw before me. Stunned, I floated back a few paces. 

Without thought, I bowed low, bending my knees, then folding my wings over my body, extending them forward in reverence. The beasts rumbled, pleased at the honor. 

They felt familiar to me. I couldn’t dishonor them by simply flying by them. 

I finally lifted my head and found the seven sunlions with their heads lowered, as they blinked at me. My jaw dropped. Each sunlion had the brightest and most beautiful lavender eyes. Just like me. It was like looking into a mirror.

“Wings high,” I whispered to them all, looking each in turn in their eyes.

Stars bless me! All of their eyes twinkled, glittering in the dimming sunlight as they looked back.

“Star of the Age. We are waiting for you.”

I blinked. “Don’t you mean ‘We have been waiting’?”

“No. We still are.”

My throat clenched, emotion filling my chest. As one, each sunlion tilted back their head, their ivory fur gleaming beneath the seven suns, and roared. It sounded like a clarion call. Like a summons. Like the ringing of bells to signal someone was home. 

The gates behind them widened. 

I felt a tug, an urge, to fly through. 

So I did. 

I was mesmerized at this invisible force that called me forward. Pulled me ahead and through the gates. The moment I crossed, they sealed shut. I kept flying, as if in a daze. I flew up the numerous steps to the temple doors. My chest squeezed as I neared the entrance. Then I crossed inside.

The moment my feet crossed the threshold, the sunlions stopped roaring. Then the temple doors slammed shut.