“Two Guardians dead. The healer says the other may never regain consciousness. Its mind was shredded.”
“And the travelers?” he asks.
“Only traces were left behind. Whatever crossed over certainly made it into Hyrax.”
“And you have no idea what they are? Or where they came from?”
“No, Captain, I have my spies searching along the Hyraxian border, but for them to have taken on the Guardians…they must be creatures with an unnatural amount of power. Hyrax is sending a watch to stand in for them.”
Jack is silent for a moment.
“Ready a troupe for tonight. Bring the hounds. I’ll not risk those creatures making their way into Aegar.”
His footsteps grow closer as I scoot away from the wall,feigning busy with my task. He stops a few feet away upon seeing me. I dare a glance in his direction. Disgust addles his features as he slowly approaches.
“I could hear you, you know.” He circles me leisurely, hands behind his back. “As if that weren’t enough, I could smell you.” He wrinkles his nose.
“We can’t all have the privilege of daily baths, especially those of us with ‘no magic of their own.’” My smile is a sneer.
He chuckles.
“Is it my fault you’re a defective witch with no power of her own? Besides, I figured it wouldn’t hurt for you to learn a little discipline.” He jerks his chin toward the broom in my hand.
“Yet you seem to have no regard for it yourself.”
He stops to look at me.
“You expect me to produce magic without knowing the first thing about it. I need to be taught. Otherwise, I’m just wasting my time here.”
“You’re mistaken in thinking you have a choice in the matter.”
“I’m not part of your court or your kingdom. I’m not your prisoner.”
He prowls closer, his face a mask of calm cruelty.
“As long as your feet are on Aegean soil, you are a subject of this kingdom. And you will abide the orders of the king, or you will face death.”
“Could you stop being an ass for one second and listen?” I ask. “There are things we need to talk about. You, me, the king. I know you need me. But you have to be willing to help me help you. Help your kingdom. And I can’t do that if you just shove me down in the servant’s quarters, out of sight with no direction, and expect me to prove myself. Don’t you see how unfair that is?”
He chews the inside of his bottom lip, eyeing me with quiet rancor. I dare a step closer.
“I’ll put it this way. If you don’t help me to be the one you so desperately want, then you’ll never get your Dragon Rider.”
I hope he doesn’t call my bluff. Because for all my big talk, I myself am not fully convinced that I’m the one they want. The one they need. That I could ever sit on top of a living, fire-breathing dragon and fly it like a chopper. I wait for the captain’s answer. I expect him to either give me a yes or no. Instead, he imparts me with one more dirty look, turns on his heel, and disappears down the hall.
My temper flares as I stare after him in disbelief.
“Fuck this.”
I throw the broom on the ground. It clatters loudly as I stomp all the way back to my room. I’ve already slammed the door behind me and begun stripping off my bodice when Zadyn transforms before me.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“I’m going home,” I say sharply.
“Serena,” he starts.
“No, Zadyn. Don’t try to calm me down—don’t try to convince me otherwise. I am leaving this place. I tried. I really did. I tried to stay for them, but I don’t belong here.”
