A gasping sound came from the crowd.
“I would never,” Kellan said so convincingly. His expression twisted with hurt and shock at her accusation. “Is this really what you think of me? Or is this what your new ‘mates’ have made you think? Iraisedyou.”
“Youpoisonedme.” Nix bared her teeth, seething. “With Evernell. Since I was ten fucking years old.”
Little creaks echoed around, from the foldable auditorium chairs, as the students stiffened. The mention of Evernell wasmore horrible than any curse word. If given the right dose, any shifter—no matter how powerful—could die from it.
Shifters desired only respectable deaths, from battles or something equally as passionate. Poison was what measly humans used—an embarrassing death for a paranormal creature.
Kellan’s lips twitched on his frown as he murmured, “Now, how would you know that?”
Did the mention of Evernell reveal that she had time-traveled? How else would she have the knowledge?
Nix ignored his inquiry and shot back her own. “Why use something like that on me? Do you have any idea what it has done to me over the years?”
Kellan’s hands rose to stop her. “This seems like a private, family conversation.”
“Are you scared to admit you used it on me in front of everyone?Breakinga council rule to weaken a teenage girl.”
Kellan pressed his lips together in a thin line, his eyes analyzing everything in the moment and assessing. Was he running through scenarios of denying it? “I did break the rule,” Kellan said.
More gasps.
But Nix remained expressionless as she waited for more.Sometimes there is strength in silence. Because a man with an ego will always fill silence.
Kellan added, having the audacity toshrug, “It watered down her strength, controlled her dragon abilities—”
“And watered down my personality. My energy,” she told him. “I spent years clumsily stumbling in hallways, feeling dizzy from prolonged standing, all because of what you—”
“Nix, do not forget what dragons are capable of,” Kellan snapped. “They killed your parents. They kill prey shifters without a second thought. They killed your classmate. Wehad no idea when you might start displaying the impulsive, dangerous traits. You could have hurt someone.”
“So, you poisoned me?”Ten years. “You didn’t monitor my behavior or talk to me about the risks; you just took my choice away?”
Kellan displayed a comfortable smile to the audience. “I made a decision that was best for everyone. She grew up without the ability to hurt others, and shedidn’t. I have no regrets about my decision.”
“Because you don’t have to live with the repercussions,” she shot back.
Because of that elixir, she had been weak in her past life. Just before graduation, she had been captured. If she had known she was a phoenix, if she had been strong like she was now, could she have ever been taken and tortured?
Four years of torture.
Because of whathedid to me.
Weakened me. Kept me docile.
“I’ve been told that poison might permanently prevent my ability to shift. Did you know that would happen?”
Kellan sighed. “A dragon shifter who cannot shift into a dragon sounds like a better member of our society than—”
“It’smybody.” Her flames heightened, some leaping from her skin and singeing the cart. “You permanently altered me without my permission,” she snarled at him.
Mr. Oadess looked at the fire encasing her body but showed no fear. “Try to hurt me, and you will be proving me right,” he said calmly. As if her flamesboredhim.
Nix’s eyes flashed a burnt red color, and Bael released a soft, “Oh shit,” from behind her.
Nix’s eyebrows scrunched over her forehead as she asked challengingly, “You think you have power?”
The ground began to rumble.
