Page 77 of Under Restless Skies

“Hello?” I whisper, then take the lumos jar to get a better look at the bed, but she’s not there.

“This is not the time to hide.”

I look around some more, then find her in a corner on top of the drawer chest, her little wings curved around her. She looks at me, and I extend a hand to her, which she takes, then climbs over my arm and lands on my shoulder.

“Let’s try to find your brother.”

She chirps and stomps her little feet, and I crouch. “This is going to feel odd, but it’s for your safety.” I put her in the bucket, where she spins, as if to check that there’s really nowhere to move.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “It will be fast.”

I place a cloth on top of the bucket to cover it, but she squeaks loudly.

I lift the corner of the cloth and look at the little dragon. “Ava, you’ll need to be silent. It’s super, super important.”

She just stares and blinks, but at least she stops making any sounds. Hoping she remains quiet, I cover the bucket again, then leave the room and head to the stairs, wondering if I’ll even find her brother and if anyone is desperately looking for her.

And then I still can’t fathom who would have brought her here—or why.

The staircase is still empty, and I descend quickly. When I get downstairs, I hear voices and the sound of hammering.

Ava coos in the bucket, and I decide to go on, hoping at least to get a clue to where they are planning to move the little dragons, or if they’re missing Ava.

A carpenter is installing a new, fragile-looking wooden door in the hallway. Nearby, guards and academy officials stand watching, including Commander Mallor..

His eyes land on me—and Ava decides to chirp right at that time. I fake a cough, hoping nobody noticed it, then step back and turn around, meaning to rush up the stairs and hide.

“Recruit Mayara.” Mallor’s voice. I turn to face him, and he says, “I’ll meet you in a minute. You can wait in my office.” He doesn’t sound like he’s reprimanding me, which is odd. I doubt he’s happy to see me here.

“Of course.”

I lower my head in a sign of deference, then go up the stairs again, meaning to drop Ava in my room before heading to his office, but then I hear steps behind me.

It’s the commander.

“We can go right now,” he says. “Do you know the way?”

“I think so.” I raise the bucket. “Can I bring this to my room first?”

“There’s no need. We’ll be quick.” His voice is not harsh and yet it assaults me with a wave of dread.

I keep climbing, then stop by a door, unsure if it’s the right floor, and Mallor steps ahead of me.

“This way. Come.” His annoyed tone makes me shudder.

When we finally reach his office and he closes the door behind me, I feel like I’m about to throw up.

“Sit.” He points to a chair in front of his desk.

I place the bucket slowly on the floor, mentally begging Ava to be quiet, then pull the chair and do as he asked.

He leans forward, his interlaced fingers resting on the top of the desk, his forehead wrinkling deeper as he stares at me. “I’m rather busy, so I’ll be direct. I have a special skill, one that’s incredibly useful when dealing with recruits. I know when people lie.”

I blink. “That’s impressive.” My words sound wrong. “I’m not being sarcastic, I’m just⁠—”

“Your opinion about my ability does not concern me. Now, I want the truth.” He pulls a little bell and places it near his right hand. “I’ll ring this every time you lie. Three rings, and I’ll move you to a remote outpost, away from this academy.”

I sit straighter, oddly feeling calmer. He’s not threatening to expel me.