He nodded. “The dragons are never wrong.”
I glanced at him, a question on my brow.
“They only pick Ruby for the ones who dream big.” His meaningful look told me he knew I had dreams of my own. I thought of Bev’s words, that one day I’d want something badly enough that I’d be desperate to get it. I’d come here to change the future for my family, for everyone born to walk beneath the bridges of Treston. I was desperate to see my family free from the cage of poverty, my brother free from the chains of gambling that had dragged my father down, and my sister free to choose whatever future she wanted rather than the few that were open to us bottomsiders. As Clarence walked away, I wondered what his dreams were, and how many of us chosen for House Ruby would see our dreams fulfilled.
The next day, the lesson was short, over as soon as we successfully made our dragons walk in a slow circle in the yard behind the lair—a lesson in testing our dragon’s compliance. Most of the other kids laughed at the assignment and completed it with ease. Scarlett’s dragon, however, didn’t seem enthusiastic about the idea, and she had to raise her voice before the dragon complied. I tried to hide my smile.
“That’s right, Alcott,” shouted Prescott, his arms crossed. “You tell her.”
Covington and Clarence chuckled, and Scarlett cursed at them as she reentered the line of students watching. She swatted Covington’s arm, but as she turned to watch Vanya’s dragon, she was smiling contentedly.
Prescott could be annoying, but at least he treated everyone the same way.
After Vanya, it was my turn. Myth was still spinning in circles when Bryce came running over.
“He’s not a horse, for saint’s sake, Miro.” He lifted his hands to stop Myth’s endless circling.
Laughter crackled in my ears. I rescinded my thoughts about Prescott, who was chortling and pointing at me.
“I’m doing what you told me, sir. He just…I’m just…not very good at this.” Fairfax’s advice to win was sounding more and more ludicrous.
“Try asking him.” Bryce crossed his arms. When my mouth opened, he raised a hand. “Not like that.”
Lips turned down, I said in my head,Myth, walk in a circle like everyone else. Please.
Myth completed the circle.
I dismounted and caught Bryce giving me his equivalent of a grin, which was a slightly less intense frown.
“I didn’t think dragons could communicate telepathically,” I said as I led Myth back inside.
“They can’t. It’s not mind reading, Miro. It’s intention reading. He hears what you’re feeling and senses your body language and can interpret those things in ways humans can’t. I’ve found that speaking what I want my dragon to do always helps. It’suswe need to shape, and words are our best way to do that. You were giving him mixed signals until you focused your mind with words.”
“Thank you,” I said, a little sheepishly, before I led Myth back inside.
Two weeks sailed by, but I barely noticed. Staying on top of schoolwork was taking every minute of my time that wasn’t already absorbed in training at the lair.
An autumn breeze ruffled my hair as I trooped back from the lair to the main school building one afternoon. I swung by themail room, as I did every day on the way back from our physical conditioning.
A letter with my name on it sat in the pile of letters markedinbound.
Evie’s script made my heart leap.
I tore into her letter and read it as I walked back toward Ruby’s common room.
Dear Ari,
That’s amazing you can feel Myth’s emotions. It all sounds so incredible! I’m having fun picturing what it’s like for you at Cardan Lott. Mama is doing okay. She sends her thanks for the money your sponsor is sending. It’s more than we’ve ever had, Ari. Thank you. Mama even bought me a new dress and a hat. I look like a proper lady now.
I glanced up. Evie was not old enough to be aproper lady, no matter what she had on. And I wasn’t there to defend her from the wolves when they inevitably came. I kept reading.
I’ve decided it would be fun to start working.
My heart skipped and I stopped short, drawing the letter close to my face. “What?”
You always worked, and I feel like it’s time I learned a useful skill. Honestly, it’s hard being around Mama now that you’re not here for her to nag.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Mama was the one who was supposed to get a job.”
