The moment spatial travel collapsed, every pair leapt onto the rising platforms.
Lythrae's cushion glided in first. Sskavyrn and his partner bounded up jagged steps with reptilian ferocity. The monks floated in balance-perfect arcs.
Three pairs converged on Lilith and her partner from every direction.
Yet, she didn't even flinch.
"Let them come," she muttered.
Her horn ignited and her aura surged.
The entire ring braced... because a four-way midair war was about to detonate around her.
Meanwhile...
Lucien's fingers twitched.
His voice dropped low.
"Marie."
"I know," she breathed. "I'm ready."
His Perfect Calculation locked onto one razor-thin opening.
One path no one else could see.
Marie's tail thrashed with wolfish excitement.
"Let's steal destiny right out of their hands."
They didn't jump into the sky battle. They didn't fight for the keys. They didn't join the chaos.
Because Lucien already knew where another key would appear.
