ARIA POV
I gasped for air as we crashed into the churning water below. The silver light from my skin wrapped around us like a protection bubble, slowing our fall just enough. We hit the water hard, but we were alive.
"Swim!" Lucien shouted as we surfaced.
I clung to Mira, pulling her toward the shore while the triplets fought against the current. Arrows splashed around us. Wolves howled from both riverbanks. We were stuck.
Suddenly, a bright flash of fire erupted on the shoreline, sending our pursuers fleeing. A woman stood there, her hands glowing with flames.
"This way!" she called. "Quickly!"
We swam toward her. As we reached the shore, she threw something that exploded in a cloud of purple smoke, hiding us from the dogs on the other side.
"Follow me," she ordered, already running into the forest.
We stumbled after her, soaking wet and tired. She led us to a secret cave behind a waterfall, gesturing us inside.
