Dark Flame (Flame 3)

Yes, it does. Want to have a good look?

You mean as in take in more of the land?

Yep.

Honestly, I’d love it. And she meant it.

He turned slightly to face due north, then slowly moved in the direction of what they called the U.S. Border, even though it was in the middle of Phoenix. The entire outer boundary of Five Bridges was locked down tight with more barbed wire than she’d ever thought to see in her entire life.

Searchlights also rimmed the border area, hunting for drug-runners who foolishly tried to make their way across the pitted landscape. The same lights tracked the skies constantly, hunting for those with the ability to levitate. The shoot-on-sight outside of Five Bridges was a real deterrent.

She still couldn’t believe that she lived in a geographical area that used to be the north central part of Phoenix. But after the alter species had been segregated into a ghetto some time ago, the U.S. finally resolved a lot of governing issues by cordoning off large areas in the major cities across the country, complete with tens of thousands of linear feet of barbed wire. Formal U.S borders were created in order to keep the alter species from being part of the normal human population.

Can you take me up higher?

His husky masculine voice rolled through her mind. You sure you’re up for it?

I am. I think because I’m with you.

Holding her secure, he rose swiftly, then stopped to hover in the air. Before we move forward, I need to check the airspace.

She understood why. Many species could levitate, and he would need to know who was out and about in Crescent right now.

He slowly spun in a circle, but the air was clear. She could see other species in the far distance, small dots moving across the night like unmarked aircraft. She had the odd thought that the Tribunal government should establish a law requiring identification lights on anyone levitating.

The thought made her smile, not just because it would be out-of-place to see flashing lights on Brannick’s head or his boots. But the Tribunal could barely enforce its most basic laws so she’d love to see them try to regulate what happened during levitated flight. It was a cynical thought, of course, but then she’d lived in the province for four long difficult years. As for the U.S. Government, Five Bridges was a no-fly zone for human aircraft and easily seen from the air because of all the searchlights surrounding the area.

He drew close to Del Muerto Bridge, which connected Crescent to the dead-talkers of Shadow Territory. A lot of superstition ran rampant about Del Muerto Bridge, and as a result, it saw the least amount of traffic. Shadow Territory also described the land in this section of Five Bridges pretty well

. Shadow had the fewest street lights of any of the territories and a fairly low number of raunchy sex clubs. Humans who came to shadow were looking for a connection to loved ones who’d passed. Of course, this meant that a lot of businesses thrived by playing on the grief of unsuspecting visitors. Juliet had often thought there was absolutely nothing sacred in Five Bridges.

She felt a measure of relief when Brannick reached the border between her fae territory of Revel and the dead-talker land. Ventana Bridge was also one of the five main bridges that gave their province its name.

Brannick flew over the bridge and into Revel. He’d been to her home in their dreamglide world, but she had no idea how much he remembered. Do you know where you’re going?

I gave up following landmarks a mile ago and have been using my instincts since. Everything is oddly familiar.

When he made a turn to head east, she huffed a sigh. This is definitely the right direction.

Wait a minute. I’m remembering something from one of the dreamglides. You live in the Lotus Tree development, don’t you?

I do. But I may have told you where I lived the night we met at the White Flame.

Maybe. I don’t know. But I definitely feel like I’ve been here before. He made his descent.

In many ways, it was like flying in a plane since the streetlights suddenly grew brighter and she could see the form of people moving on the sidewalks. The cars had stopped looking like something she could buy in a toy store.

He flew without hesitation, heading straight toward Lotus Bridge.

When it came into view, she asked him to fly north to where the main canal branched off to Lotus Stream. She’d often wanted to take a helicopter ride just to see this particular view.

Reaching the ‘T’ where the canal intersected with Lotus Stream, she asked him to drop even lower but to go slow. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to see this from a point of levitation. I think it’s one of the prettiest places in all of Five Bridges. She laughed. Of course, that isn’t saying much.

No, it really isn’t. We have a lot of work to do.

Brannick made a wide, slow turn, and his arm kept her secure the entire time. Her feet were perched on his right boot, which helped.

Brannick said, I’ve never been to this part of Revel before, but my God it’s beautiful. He flew even lower, just ten feet above the mini-canal.