The Open Sky

For three terrifying seconds, there was nothing but the rush of freezing wind. Then, Jin yanked the rip-cord. The silk glider snapped open with a sharp *crack*, catching the thermal updrafts from the city’s massive exhaust vents below.

Their descent slowed, transforming into a sweeping, terrifyingly fast glide over the rooftops of Xin-Jing.

All around them, the city was erupting in celebration. Massive clockwork dragons wove through the streets below, and thousands of red and gold aether-fireworks exploded in the sky, illuminating the smog in brilliant, flashing colors.

Mei clung to Jin’s neck, her white silk dress whipping wildly in the wind. She looked back toward the Imperial Barge, shrinking in the distance, surrounded by flashing red security lights.

"I am completely ruined!" Mei shouted over the rushing wind. "Shen will seize my family's estate! We are outlaws! We have nothing!"

Jin looked down at her. His face was covered in soot, his hair was a disaster, and his beloved steam-erhu was nothing but a scorched piece of wood strapped to his back.

"I know!" Jin yelled back, a fierce, unapologetic grin splitting his face. "It's terrifying, isn't it?"

Mei stared at him, at the chaotic, brilliant street rat who had just blown up her entire life. She thought about the sterile Conservatory. She thought about the gilded cage.

Then, she looked out at the massive, sprawling, dirty, beautiful city stretching out below them, bursting with light and noise and infinite possibilities.

Mei tightened her grip around Jin’s neck. And as a massive, golden firecracker exploded right above them, ringing in the first seconds of the Lunar New Year, the aristocratic prodigy and the runaway street musician threw their heads back and laughed.

They were falling toward the Sump. They had no money, no plan, and the entire Imperial Guard would be hunting them by morning.

But for the first time in their lives, they were perfectly in tune.