11
Lianna
Maxon and I walk along a warm Australian beach, searching for the right spot to summon the Water Palace. Foamy surf laps at my toes. Overhead, the night sky is bright with more stars than I ever thought possible. A warm and secure sensation seeps through my torso. For once, I’m not checking for wind and worrying if Zephyr’ll show up. It seems impossible for anything bad to happen while Maxon’s holding my hand.
“Something on your mind?” he asks.
“This is a sweet beach. How’d you find it?”
“Me and the guys came here to play as kids. You know, kick the can. Truth or dare. Capture the house flag. That kind of stuff. We were twelve and thought we were so badass for sneaking out of Antrum.” He leans in conspiratorially. “My parents were tracking us the whole time, of course.”
“Th
