Volume 6! I have lots of plans for this one, so let's get into it.

PROLOGUE

Winter Light

Eight years ago …

The car pulled into the driveway, gravel cracking under the wheels like candy popping between teeth. Aeron clenched his fists over his thighs, trying his best to breathe deeply.

"Aer," said Caroline, looking over at him from the front seat. "You okay?"

Aeron nodded curtly. "Just nervous."

She reached over to cover one of his hands with her own. "If it becomes more than nerves, let me know."

"I will."

Klaus pulled the car to a halt out the front of the Armory. Aeron could see Josie and the boys bouncing with excitement, Keelin eyeing the boys to make sure they stayed clear of the car, and Lizzie, stoic and untouchable, standing separate from them all. Klaus beat him to opening the door, giving him space to hop out. He did, heart pounding against his rib cage.

Josie was unable to contain herself, pitching forward and throwing her arms around his shoulders. Aeron saw Caroline frown, ready to intervene, but he hugged Josie back, choking back tears all the while.

Josie laughed in his ear. "I missed you, you dick."

"Josette Louise."

"Mom," Josie shot back, pulling away from Aeron.

"I missed you too." Aeron meant it, though he hadn't realised quite how much until then.

Josie beamed. "Welcome home."

Now …

Frigid air whipped at Hope's face, dragging the ends of her hair over her skin like tiny knives. She burrowed deeper into her scarf, letting her breath warm her neck as she closed her eyes against the cold.

"Ready to head down?" Lyn yelled into her ear, beginning to duck down lower in the sky.

Hope nodded, reluctant to pull down her scarf and answer. Lyn carried them down further, her grip on Hope shifting a little to allow Hope the space to unhook their packs from atop her belly.

The rest of their landing went as they'd practiced: Hope dropped the packs onto the snow-laden ground, Lyn dropped Hope, and Hope caught Lyn. Simple.

"Stop grabbing my ribs like that," Lyn grumbled as Hope set her on her feet.

"Then aim for my arms better."

Lyn glared at her without malice, her lips almost twisting into a smirk. "We'll camp here for the night." She shook out her wings. "I don't think I can fly any further, anyway."

"Sounds good to me." Hope surveyed the area, the naked trees and thick blanket of snow. There weren't any of the icicles from hell here, which had to be a good thing.

And then in the distance, though some of the thickest fog she'd ever seen, Hope saw green.

"The Middle?" she asked Lyn, who nodded. "I don't remember it being that foggy."

"The air turns to steam where it hits the heated pocket past the border. Makes for some heavy mist."

Hope watched the steam curl into the evening sky in wisps, entranced. "It's beautiful."

"It would be more beautiful if we had a fire to warm us. Come on and help me."

Hope rolled her eyes, tearing them away from the sight. "Yes, ma'am."

Act I should be around sometime next week!