Dovetailed by Rashelle Workman

him the most worried. “How am I supposed to take some of the leader’s blood without getting killed?” And the next most important question: “How do I get the blood into the Illeyse?”
    My child, you’re going to have to figure that out. I’m sorry I don’t have the answer.
    Any ideas? Michael asked the Sisters.
    The Kelvieri in you will allow you to get close.
    The Ferether in you can subdue his soul.
    Strike .
    The words of the Sisters inspired him. At the mention of tasting the Leviathan’s soul, his heartbeat increased. It’d been a while, and he suddenly craved the Leviathan leader’s essence.
    Can you tell me how to make myself invisible to them? Michael asked the Sisters.
    Think about what you want.
    It’s simple.
    Believe .
    Michael snorted. Fine. He shut his eyes and imagined himself invisible, hidden from his enemies’ eyes. He imagined he had no scent, that he was nothing but an apparition. As he thought, he felt his body change; it no longer held the form of a corporeal being. He glanced down. His body was gone, only an outline or an impression, like a black shade, remained.
    The true form of a Ferether.
    A being without a soul.
    Shadow .
    Sadraden roared. You’ve changed.
    “Yes, I most definitely have.” Michael hoped he could change back. He felt unattached, as though a brisk wind would blow him apart, scattering him to pieces.
    “Let’s go. You find me the leader. I know what to do.”
    In answer, Sadraden pressed her wings against her back. They shot like a rocket toward the planet. Michael tried to hang on, but it wasn’t necessary. He stayed with her effortlessly.
    They passed through the atmosphere. Leviathans were everywhere.
    He’d gone on a fieldtrip to an aquarium in junior high where he’d seen a tank filled with jellyfish. That’s what the Leviathans reminded him of: jellyfish in a tank. Only these creatures had one giant eye and an even more giant mouth filled with pointed teeth.
    Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. Stay invisible.
    Michael understood. The creatures were large and frightening, and they reeked. The whole planet stank like vomit. If he’d still had his human form the smell would’ve made him gag.
    There didn’t’ seem to be any kind of structures. It was just an aquarium of darkness and liquid gold filled with Leviathans that made Sadraden look small and Michael feel even smaller.
    The Leviathan closest to them swiped a tentacle at them, but Sadraden spun out of the way.
    “How will we know which one is the leader? They all look the same.”
    I know . Another Leviathan’s tentacle slashed at the air. Sadraden barely avoided it. She kept flying, getting closer to the ground. Michael searched the dark landscape. Their leader had to be around somewhere.

 
     
     
     
     

    Dervinias used Britorent to follow after the ambulance. He knew he needed to get back to Kelari, but first he had to make sure Chev was all right—and that she didn’t remember him.
    Even though he wanted her to. Badly.
    He’d been alone for most of his life but, now that Chev was gone, for the first time he felt lonely.
    Chev’s parents checked her in.
    Dervinias hung out in the waiting room and listened as the doctor talked to Chev’s mom and dad. He ordered tests and then they wheeled her away. It took some maneuvering, but he found her room and checked in on her.
    Chev was hooked up to an IV. He ran a hand through her hair. It was soft and smooth and extremely beautiful.
    “Chev. Can you hear me?”
    She moaned. Her eyelashes fluttered, but they didn’t open.
    “It’s okay.” He pushed hair off her forehead. “Just rest. Get better. When the time is right I’ll come back for you.”
    “My baby,” she murmured.
    Dervinias choked on his words. Tears welled up in his eyes. “Yes, she’s alive.”
    “Harmony,” she whispered.
    “Is that what you wanted to name her? I like it.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Hold on to her. I’m going to find her and the three