Lillibeth Tripp's Arc

Chapter 8 of 9

Lillibeth followed Tala out past the dome's mouth and stopped short. A metal platform jutted from the cliff, its railings catching the dawn. Beyond it, only sky. But at its center stood a tall fountain of spiraling pipes, and inside the glass core, a crystal gear spun bright pink and blue. Tala's vest caught that light and threw it back twice as hard. "You can't wear that out there," Lillibeth said. Her own suit, dimmed under her cloak, looked like a candle next to a bonfire. "Anything with teeth will see us a mile off." Tala touched the gear at her collar. "I need it. It's how I steer the wind near the edge." She did not argue further. She just waited, watching Lillibeth the way she watched everything — like the answer was already forming. Lillibeth thought. Then she crossed back to Tala's workbench and pulled down a folded black cloth she had seen there — heavy, layered panels, the kind of weave that drank light instead of letting it pass. She shook it out and held it up. "Wrap over the vest. Gear tucked under. We test it before we step off." Tala pulled the dark wrap on. The pink glow softened, then vanished beneath the folds. Lillibeth circled her once, checking every seam. Not a spark leaked. The sack at her hip gave a sleepy kick as the small pink rabbit shifted inside, unbothered. "Good," Lillibeth said, quiet. She stepped onto the grated floor of the platform. The drop yawned under her boots. They were dim now, both of them — two shadows at the threshold. But the wrap was Tala's only cover, and if it tore, or slipped, there would be nothing left to hide behind. Lillibeth opened her wings and jumped.