Tessa exchanged an uneasy look with Kieran. “They’ll be okay. It’s only been a couple of days,” she answered slowly. “We’re running a little tight on space in the nursery and children’s wing, but there’s plenty of room in the upper towers. And I think a few will be ready for reintegration soon.”
“Everett told me this most recent group is taking longer to adjust,” Kieran cut in. “There seem to be more mental barriers for him to work through. The young ones in particular are easily distressed.”
“Has anything happened?”
“There’s one seven-year-old who Scarven manipulated to shift prematurely, and she breaks a couple of bones every time she does,” Tessa said.
I closed my eyes and fought back a wave of rage, silver and molten. Shifters didn’t naturally shift until early teenage years, as their bodies weren’t equipped to handle it at such a young age.
“And a teenager he made into a Strider and Lightbender hybrid, who can’t conjure light without burning himself,” Tessa continued. “Silas is working on a remedy for that. A potion of some sort.”
I should be used to reports like this by now. Fates, I saw things much worse during my time in those very labs. It still made me sick to think of them suffering, though. And it was even worse knowing I had to play my part. That I had toanswerto him.
I may have been freed from his cells, but I was still his prisoner.Scarven wouldn’t simply let me, his preciousdragon Shifter,off his leash for good.
As long as he had my sister under his control, I never would be.
“What abouther?” I asked, quieter this time.
Tessa’s throat bobbed. “Nothing. I’m sorry, Nox. We don’t know where he’s keeping her.”
I nodded curtly and took a seat in the tall chair behind my desk. It was the same every time. No news. Scarven’s word alone was the only proof that Vera still lived. That my sister, whom I hadn’t seen in five years, was still breathing somewhere deep in his hold.
Thatwas what kept me in line all this time.
I’d only ever tried to openly defy him once, and it ended with the woman I had loved dead at my feet. I learned my lesson quickly: do whatever he wanted without question.
Perhaps this refugee program I’d started five years ago was a subconscious way to appease the guilt I carried for being in his pocket. When he said “fetch,” I ran. When he said “jump,” I said, “how high.” The things I’d done for him, the things I’dseen…maybe there was no number of good deeds in existence to counteract what I’d done in the name of protecting my sister. And now, in the name of keeping him fromeverfinding out about this operation.
I was toeing a dangerous line, keeping his loyalty while still lying to him with every breath. But I’d keep doing it until the day I died. It was worth it. These people were worth it.
“Thank you for the update.” My eyes stayed trained on the piles of notes on my desk, refusing to meet Tessa and Kieran’s stares. “I have to meet Scarven soon. I should be back late tonight.”
Tessa put her palms on my desk, forcing me to look up at her. “Nox, what you’re doing here is nothing short of miraculous. Do you know how many people we’ve rescued this yearalone?”
“Fifty-two,” I said instantly.Not enough.
“Fifty-two people who would still be stuck in those labs if it wasn’t for you. Fifty-two people who’d be dead by now, for all weknow. Fifty-two people who can rejoin their families.” Tessa paused, letting her words sink in. “You’ve created this safehouse for them, and I know how much you sacrifice just to keep it hidden and give them the best chance for survival. None of us blame you for what you have to do. You’re twice the man and leader I’d ever be.”
“I don’t know about that, Tessa. I think you’d knock any man flat on their back.” I offered her a small smile.
“Obviously.” She tossed her braids over her shoulder. “Fine, you’re twice the manKieranwill ever be.”
“Ah, yes. Always the brunt of your jokes,” Kieran said with a heavy sigh. The coils in my chest slowly began to unwind as he joined Tessa at the front of my desk. “She is correct, however.”
“Tattoo that on my forehead,” Tessa interjected.
Kieran ignored her. “You are relentlessly in pursuit of atonement, Nox Duma, and yet fail to see that you have become that very salvation for so many. We follow you not because you are the infamous dragon Shifter of legend, but because you areworthyof it.”
“Through flame and ash,” Tessa said softly, repeating what had become the mantra of my Ashen Order.
I shifted the tip of my finger into one of my claws and gently ran it along the top of the desk, feeling grooves catch beneath my talon. These two knew me better than I knew myself. It was unnerving. And a bit annoying.
And exactly the kind of people I needed at my side.
“You’re more than a couple of pretty faces. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” I drawled. I swallowed hard and tipped my head at them. “Thank you,” I added, my voice suddenly rough. “I wouldn’t be here without either of you.”
“Are we going to make the big, bad dragon cry?” Tessa crooned, backing away from the desk with a laugh.
