𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 | ʟᴇᴏ ᴠᴀʟᴅᴇᴢ ¹

𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

THE EARLY MORNING SKY was painted with hues of pink and gold as Festus soared through the clouds, the rhythmic beating of his bronze wings a comforting sound in the aftermath of the battle. The cool breeze rushed past them, carrying away the acrid scent of smoke and leaving a sense of hard-won peace in its wake. Lavinia sat nestled between the metallic spines, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched into Festus' back, while Leo worked diligently at the controls, his face a mask of determined focus.

Lavinia glanced over at Leo, her heart still pounding from the adrenaline of their recent encounter with the Cyclopes. She could see the exhaustion etched into his features, the weight of their narrow escape settling on his shoulders. Her mind replayed the harrowing moments when Ma Gasket had tried to set them ablaze, and Leo had unleashed his fire, protecting her with an intensity that left her both awed and deeply grateful.

I'd be lying if I said losing you was something I could handle, she thought, the memory of his fierce determination searing into her mind.

"Leo," she called out softly, her voice barely audible over the wind. He turned slightly, meeting her gaze with a tired but reassuring smile.

"Hey, Vinnie," he replied, his tone light despite the weariness in his eyes. "How're you holding up?"

Lavinia managed a weak smile in return. "Better now that we're out of there," she admitted, her fingers still tracing the patterns on Festus' back. "I was really worried about you back there."

Leo chuckled, though it was tinged with a hint of strain. "I'm tougher than I look," he quipped, though his eyes softened with gratitude. "But thanks for having my back."

She felt a warmth spread through her at his words. "Same here, Fireboy," she replied, using the nickname he'd teased her for using earlier. "Just try not to pass out on me again, okay?"

Leo grinned, the familiar spark of mischief returning to his eyes. "No promises, but I'll do my best," he said, his voice filled with playful determination.

Just then, Piper's voice broke through the moment, drawing their attention. "Hey, you two lovebirds done flirting up there?" she teased, a sly smile playing on her lips as she leaned against Jason.

Jason chuckled, wrapping an arm around Piper's shoulders. "Yeah, seriously. We need to figure out our next move," he added, though his tone was light.

Lavinia blushed, shooting a mock glare at Piper. "We're not—it's not like that," she stammered, though she couldn't help but smile.

Piper laughed, shaking her head. "Sure, sure. Just keep telling yourself that."

"Alright, enough," Leo interjected, still grinning. "Let's focus on getting to the next safe spot."

Lavinia nodded, her expression turning serious. "Any idea where that might be? We've been flying for a while now."

"Chicago," Jason said.

***

"One problem down," Leo said. "We got here alive. Now, how do we find the storm spirits?"

Lavinia saw a flash of movement below them. At first she thought it was a small plane, but it was too small, too dark and fast. The thing spiraled toward the sky-scrapers, weaving and changing shape and, just for a moment it became the smoky figure of a horse.

"How about we follow that one," Jason suggested, "and see where it goes?"

Leo adjusted Festus's controls, urging the bronze dragon to speed up. "Hang on, everyone! This is gonna get bumpy!"

Piper clung to Jason, her hair whipping around her face. "Just keep us steady, Leo. We can't let them get away this time!"

The storm spirits zigzagged through the air, trying to evade the pursuing dragon. Lavinia, her eyes fixed on their targets, called out, "They're splitting up! Jason, which way do we go?"