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"How many?"

"Six."

"Locations?" The map. Six outer points. Two inside active combat zones. One near the western collapse.

One— dragon grounds. Theryn. Wonderful.

The Headmaster looks toward the Chiefs. There. Command. Dax takes north. Soren east. Maelis south. Caelen western collapse. Two professors remaining.

Dragon grounds— I step forward. "I'll take—"

"No." Caelen.

I glare. "Don't."

"Absolutely not."

"Why."

"Theryn."

"I know."

"You're not—"

Dax interrupts. "Vaelith." Both of us look. He means me. "You can read the dragons." Yes. "Take Kaelis."

Professor Kaelis already moving. Good. Decision made. Caelen hates it. No time.

"Everyone reaches anchors." The Headmaster says.

"Wait for signal."

"What signal?"

"Three bells."

My stomach twists. Not those bells. Fine.

We go.

The dragon grounds are hell. There is no better word.

Fire burns through two equipment structures. One dragon lies dead near the eastern fence. Another stands over a wounded Rider, wings spread, refusing to let anyone close. Two more fight controlled soldiers near the lower wall. And Theryn— Theryn is in the center.

She looks worse. Much worse. Blood covers her chest.

One wing torn. White veins of stolen magic crawling beneath scales. Her breathing ragged. Every movement violent. Unnatural. But somewhere inside it— I see her. A hesitation. A head movement I recognize. Pain.

Kaelis stops beside me. "She's failing."

"What?"

"Body." His voice breaks slightly. "The corruption is forcing her past what she can survive."

Oh gods. Theryn turns. White eyes lock on us.

Kaelis whispers "Don't run." I know.