Max barreled down the hallway at full speed, grin wide enough to split his face in half. I barely had time to brace before he slammed into me with a hug that rattled my ribs, followed by the rest of the team. I wheezed. “Max—holy—easy—”
“You vanished for eleven hours!” he accused. “Eleven! Do you know how many times Dante threatened to set Coach's car on fire if he couldn't find you?”
A voice chimed in behind him. “That wasone time.” Dante—six foot three, brown hair, chaotic energy bundled into a rookie’s body—crossed his arms. “And it would’ve worked.”
Despite myself, despite everything, I laughed. It came out shaky, but it was real. Keegan clapped my shoulder. “Good to have you back, man.” Ash nodded once, the quietest approval he ever gave.
Then Ember stepped forward, eyes bright, practically vibrating out of his skin.
“LAST MAN IN!” he yelled like it was a war cry. “YOU MADE THE ALL-STAR TEAM!”
I stared. “How do you all know already?”
Ember scoffed. “Bro. You’ve been trending online since dawn. Max’s mom posted about you twice.”
Max groaned. “Don’t say it like that. Maman isimpossiblealready.”
Ash smirked. “She likes him more than you.”
Max clutched his heart, his accent adding to the dramatic flair. “I am mortally wounded.”
I blinked between them. “Wait. Trending?”
Keegan patted my back. “You crushed the vote, Cole. You didn’t just sneak in. You dominated.”
My throat tightened. “But—after everything—I didn’t think—”
“We,” a deep voice interrupted, “are proud of you.”
Taranis leaned against the wall, padded gloves hanging from one hand, long dark-silver hair tied back. He rarely smiled, but his eyes softened when he looked at me.
Something in my chest cracked open. I'd kept myself apart from these guys, terrified of what my father might do. “Thank you,” I whispered as more of the team crowded around.
He nodded once, then jerked his chin toward the medical wing. “Nancy’s ready for you.”
Right. Clearance.
My stomach clenched. I took a step—but Taranis gently caught my wrist. “Walk with me.”
I followed him down a quieter hallway, Phoenix watching as we got further away. When we were alone, Taranis stopped and folded his arms. “You’re surprised,” he said simply.
“I…” I exhaled. “I didn’t expect anything like this. After what happened.”
“Look, I don't know what happened. I can guess becauseI'm older than I look."
He paused to let that sink in. To work out what he was actually trying to tell me, and my breath stuttered at his confirmation.
Taranis leaned in slightly and placed two fingers gently against the center of my chest. Right over the dragon. "Let me know if you need help." I swallowed around the lump in my throat.
“And another thing,” Taranis added quietly. “Get a new agent. Your father tied the one he gave you into a leash.”
I nodded slowly. “Ignatius mentioned that.”
“My agent also handles Max and Keegan,” Taranis said. “He is honorable. If you choose to seek guidance…he won’t fail you, and I believe he is here today.”
My chest loosened. “Thank you.”
Cinder and Nancy were waiting for us. Nancy moved quickly and hugged me tight, then slapped my shoulder with considerable force. "Am I going to have to wrap you in bubble wrap?" She glanced at Phoenix and smiled. He smiled back.
