Chapter Forty
There’s no water on the other side, and it’s bright—so bright that even with the visor, the sudden change momentarily blinds me.
When my eyes adjust, I see that our surroundings look like the inside of an active volcano—except even the sky is on fire.
Is this the firebird’s home world or the inspiration for the descriptions of fiery hells?
Whatever the answer, I break into a run, and so do my friends.
“We need to move faster, or we’ll risk igniting,” Itzel gasps out, taking the lead.
Ariel and I overtake her and leap into the next gate just as my skin starts to burn.
Felix and Itzel join us a moment later, with Itzel berating herself for ever agreeing to help us and Felix panting inside the helmet like a dog.
As I catch my breath, I look around warily. This is the las
