Fly?! I was not flying, I was falling!
As I plummeted toward the churning flames below, the wind screamed past my ears. My stomach lurched into my throat, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst.
"FLY!" Solarys's voice roared through my mind.
Panic clawed at my chest. I flailed, reaching desperately for my fire—
And failed.
The flames sputtered at my fingertips but refused to take shape. The ground rushed up to meet me—
Ember shot past in a streak of gold, her tiny body slamming into mine with surprising force. The impact spun me midair, buying precious seconds.
"Focus!" my phoenix spirit cried. "The fire is part of you! Stop fighting it!"
I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to breathe.
I can do this, I must do this, or else I'm going to end like a freaking pancake
