Walking in the Light
an excerpt

The room collapsed into confusion, bright light wiping out my vision, haunting chants melting into chaotic noises, my sense of balance and direction fading until I wasn’t sure which way was up or whether I was standing on something solid or hovering in place.

Disorientation reigned for a few seconds, until my senses began to function again. Cold, rushing air was the first thing that registered, then, as the bright afterimage began to fade from my eyes, darkness. Presently I realized that I was falling, and falling rather quickly. My balance and vision still not restored, I struggled to find which way was up, to spread my wings so I could right myself and turn my fall into a glide, but with no reference point I was having trouble.

I began to fear what must be the momentary approach of the ground, when suddenly I hit something with thankfully more give than packed earth. My hands instinctively groped the surface for handholds; whatever I had landed on was slick, and I was still sliding. My fingers caught on a shallow ridge and I held on, bringing my descent to a halt.

Momentarily puzzled at the wind still rushing past my face, I pulled myself into an upright position, still holding on tightly. The last stars faded from my vision, and I saw beneath me luminous blue scales and, to each side, catching the night air, graceful wings spread wide.