I stepped away from him and met the major halfway, Kaelith’s presence behind me like a storm held in check.
“She seems… more,” Ledor said, eyes still trained on my dragon.
I followed his gaze to Kaelith. She was standing proud and luminous, her scales practically humming with restrained energy. Even Hein was keeping his distance now.
“I believe our bonding made her stronger,” I said carefully.
Ledor’s keen eyes cut to mine. “And you? Do you feel any changes in your magic?”
I shook my head. “No. Same magic. I haven’t developed any new powers, if that’s what you’re asking.”
His gaze lingered on me too long for comfort, assessing, dissecting. I didn’t flinch.
“I think we should test that,” he said finally. “Take the center of the grounds. With your dragon.”
A knot tightened in my stomach. “Is this a punishment?”
“No,” he said, already turning. “It’s a trial.”
Then he walked away, leaving me to stand in the gathering tension that buzzed like lightning beneath my skin.
Kaelith lifted her head, and her voice entered my mind like silk through steel.What does that annoying human want now?
A trial,I said, stepping toward her.But I’m guessing they don’t know what they’ve just asked for.
Kaelith’s tail twitched, and her violet eyes glowed.Then let’s show them.
Major Ledor’s voice rang out across the Ascension Grounds. “Iron Fang, you’re up. Engage Cadet Rebec. Treat them as if they were Blood Fae. Lethal force is not authorized.”
A wave of murmurs swept through the watching squads, but Iron Fang didn’t hesitate. Perin stepped forward, his smirk lazy, dagger already spinning between his fingers like he couldn’t wait to carve a victory.
Pretend they are Blood Fae,I relayed to Kaelith.
Oh,she purred into my mind, her tone practically gleeful.Can I kill just one?
No.I ground my teeth.Kaelith, do not kill them.
Just one,she insisted, and I felt her attention narrow in like a predator scenting blood. Perin.
He grinned up at me, clearly underestimating us.
“Begin!” Major Ledor barked.
They charged, but I was already calling the wind. My magic surged from Kaelith’s core through mine, flaring out with a sharp, commanding cry. I lifted my arms, and a concentrated funnel of air ripped across the ground like a cyclone compressed into a whip. It struck the advancing Iron Fang members mid-sprint—lifting them off their feet and flinging them back like dolls tossed by a tantrum.
Perin was quicker. He ducked under the blast, blade gleaming as he rolled and came up on one knee, only for Kaelith to rear back.
Kaelith—I warned, but the pulse of her power had already ignited.
A burst of fire roared from her throat, white-hot and furious. Perin barely managed to dive behind one of the ancient stone statues lining the edge of the grounds. The flames scorched the side of it, licking at the carved runes as smoke curled into the sky.
The crowd went silent.
Kaelith growled low and wicked in my mind.He moves well. Maybe I’ll try again.
Try it and I’ll tell Hein you’re planning to run off with Katama.
Her rumbling snort was amusement and defiance blended into one.
