The Tears of Unicorns

by Victoria Mercier

  ​Usually, Verax has her little monologue by the end of each year. Something must have changed the administration’s mind.

  ​“In the last couple of months, we have witnessed two disturbing events. Our fellow student, Elleria Pirsteel who had possessed one of the highest dragon’s blood ratios decided to turn against her friends and other students. She caused major disruption and though we avoided fatal casualties, it is clear now, that there is much ground to cover. Elleria Pirsteel let her rage take over. Her case shows us why, more than ever, we must ensure to devote ourselves and get rid of this lurking destructive fire inside us. And that takes us to the next event. Yesterday, present here, Flare was a subject to a malicious hoax, which almost killed her.”

  ​Every fucking head in the class swiveled. Every stinking pair of eyes looked at me. Their dumb gazes didn’t have the slightest clue that each word out this woman’s mouth was a complete lie.

  ​Fucking slut!

  ​Leave it, Flare. There is no point in fighting with the system.

  ​I had a different opinion about this, but I chose to not voice it.

  ​“The Head of Dragon House and I decided to change your classes in the second term. As of now, your classes are as follows; Controlling Inner Fire, Basic Spells for Dragons, Meditation, and the standard assortment of basic classes like math or geography,” she paused, gauging students’ stupid faces, then continued. “We believe that the first and most important thing for a dragon student is to overcome the rage. Therefore, with the beginning of the next term, you’ll no longer attend Basic Spells for Dragons and the assortment of basic spells will be greatly reduced time-wise.”

  ​Why?

  ​The silence in my head meant many things. Lotian watched Issa Verax. She stood before the class as if not finished with us. Haruka has already complained about dumbing down the material of his class. He had told me, after one of his classes, that the changes pushed by the administration lead to a disaster. Someone at the top was disarming dragons.

  ​“Today, we start the quarterly review, which for the first time, includes every single student. It may benefit everyone involved to get a better relationship with each other. I leave you now so you can contemplate the incoming changes.”

  ​The bitch left. She didn’t look my way on her way out.

  ​“This got out of hand,” Lotian murmured.

  ​“What do you mean?”

  ​“I need to go, Flare. Stay out of trouble for now.”

  ​His kiss came out of blue. I heard the air escaping the lungs of everyone in the class. I didn’t care. The sweetness of Lotian’s lips killed the pungent taste of Issa Verax’s words.

  Chapter 7

  Expectations rarely meet the truth. My case wasn’t special in any way. I hoped for the rumors to spread the story of our kiss. Well, this was mentioned too, but the hot topic was how it all was my fault: Elleria, quarterly reviews and even the change of the curriculum and rules.

  ​I was pissed off. Whoever has been spreading this bullshit wanted to be my mortal enemy. After the last class on Monday, I received a message through Rebecca that my quarterly review was going to be on Tuesday. I didn’t need to bother coming to the chamber on the fifth floor. Someone from the faculty team was going to pick me up. While at first I’d joked about this place being a prison, now I wasn’t so sure if it was a joke any longer.

  ​Every corridor and room had these new strange alcoves and mini trees inside them as well as the sequences of runes. Teachers have dismissed my questions about them, and the rest of the class only ‘booed’ each time I’d been raising a hand.

  ​My patience held on the last thread. These bitches and assholes had no idea what has been going on behind their backs. Elleria had been a taste of what could come. According to Nix, the military and the administration didn’t like each other. He didn’t need to say it for me to know that these were two different factions and now they camped within the walls of the Academy. This could not end well.

  ​I stopped by the entrance to the common room that bordered the Dragon and Elemental Houses. There wasn’t a direct connection between the Supernaturals and Dragon Houses.

  ​This one looked dim and dusty. Not every common room seemed to be equally popular. There were factors behind this like proximity of bars, shipping centers or a gym. While the Dragon House’s student number was only second to supernaturals, most common rooms within our section looked deserted. Dragon students who quenched their rage have changed. Their behavior looked more akin to the walls around me than living creatures. I saw something missing in their gazes as if they were only shadows of themselves. Were people blind? The Academy has been destroying us! The only exception was the first-year students. A bunch of fuckers, but at least they laughed and talked and possessed fire in their eyes.

  ​The circular common room was furnished simply without much imagination. Ten sets of oval tables surrounded by deep armchairs. Most of the walls were draped with old wallpapers which represented the events from before the Titan War. A few shelves stuffed with books, and panels for food and drink shopping. Usually, the food ordered this way was horrible.

  ​My steps sounded soft on the patterned carpet.

  ​Simona’s head spun. Rust raised. Not much of an expert at sneaking it seemed.

  ​“Oh, fuck, Flare,” Simona rushed toward me. Her embrace was strong as ever. “This entire Shard-thing. It got us scared. Are you sure everything is okay?”

  ​“Yes. I’m glad you two weren’t targeted. This place is a mess. I should leave.” My previous resolve to stay here has been deteriorating. In light of the recent events, hanging out with me has become dangerous. I couldn’t risk their lives.

  ​Simona shook her head. Rust’s attention was drawn by the Dragon Soldier who has been following me all day.

  ​“Who is that?” Rust’s voice always made me shiver. He has spoken so rarely. “A City Guard?”

  ​I didn’t know if there was a difference between the City Guards or the Dragon Soldiers and so I said, “it looks like Nix wants to keep an eye on me.”

  ​“I heard stories about him. They call him the Iron Head. I can’t imagine why… so, is he a friend or a foe or… something more?” She added the last words with a cheeky smile. I punched her, which evoked more smiles. Once again there were only three of us.

  ​“We have to do something. We aren’t like the rest of the first-years. We lived in the Wastelands when they had nannies to wipe their asses.”

  ​I picked the cleanest armchair by the table. The room had four main routes out and in, and there should be emergency exits somewhere as well. A feeling of being prepared made me calmer.

  ​“I want you to know something,” I said when they sat down. “Nix doesn’t trust Vesalius and Oceania.”

  ​My words worked instantly. The look in Simona’s eyes was very clear. “Say anything bad about Vesalius and you’ll regret.” I understood her sentiment. Lotian and I… and Dramer and even Saaron. The attraction compelled us toward each other. The biggest lesson? Feelings weren’t exclusive. They didn’t exclude one another. I found myself in a pretty shit because of that.

  ​“Listen,” I emphasized the importance of my words. “Nix told me that Vesalius countered the Shard of Delirium with a spell and the Green Midnights I had drunk beforehand, saved my ass.”

  ​Simona perked up because this sounded positive. If Vesalius or Oceania were behind the attack, why bother saving me at the last moment? A sudden change of heart? Not a chance.

  ​Rust squinted at Simona then he muttered quietly, “but how could anyone know the way?”

  ​Simona’s sharp look quieted him. Yes, I saw it now. My friend was ears-deep in the shit called love. She wasn’t rational any more.

  ​“Aren’t there prophetic spells or something? This place is full of insane magic.”

  ​Yeah, so much of it was insane, literally, and still, they’ve failed at removing dust from the less-frequented rooms like this.


  ​“How can I know? I don’t have access to any spellbooks beyond a few basic ones which suck. Ignelion, who promised to train me, hasn’t contacted me ever since our first meeting. Lotian’s always busy and comes mostly for other things.” I fought a blush. “There is no one else. I guess you have access to stronger magical books than me. Someone is after dragons. They want to cut off our rage.”

  ​The silence, which followed my words told me enough.

  ​“What do you know?” I hissed.

  ​Rust and Simona exchanged looks. They knew something.

  ​“Well,” Simona admitted reluctantly. “When we returned yesterday, we managed to overhear a conversation between people from Fargo’s group. They were gossiping about someone powerful backing up their agenda, but they didn’t seem to know about the accident, yet.”

  ​Fargo didn’t strike me as someone capable of using the Shard of Delirium not to mention attune it to one person. That damned Shard must have been work of some as strong as… a demi-dragon or a demi-unicorn. It had to be Selene. Naturally, demi-dragons were out of the question. Even Saaron. I knew that Selene had a sister or two, but forgot to ask Rebecca for more. She knew all the useless stuff.

  ​For this meeting, I sent her away. I didn’t want Saaron to get wind of my plans.

  ​“My bet is on Selene.”

  ​“That’s a dangerous thing to ponder.”

  ​Our trio spun. Simona half shifted into her panther form. Rust’s hands gripped the hilts of his knives he has been carrying with him. I held my fire from incinerating the newcomer because I knew the voice.

  ​“Ignelion,” I whispered. My tone didn’t possess a grain of niceness. “What the fuck are you doing here? This is a private meeting.”

  ​How the hell he managed to sneak on us three? It’s never happened, otherwise, we wouldn’t sit here. It galled me to be this much unaware.

  ​Ignelion’s finger traced dust on the header of the armchair. He looked magnificent in the red coat and sharply cut hair. His eyes regarded me with intensity, I hadn’t remembered earlier. Both, Rust and Simona, started to raise. Ignelion’s gaze flicked toward them. He gestured something, which made them relax. I blinked sensing the flavor of his magic. It spread outward.

  ​While Simona fell under Ignelion’s spell, Rust remained unaffected. He had a unique ability to resist magic. Ignelion didn’t know it. And so, Rust decided to play along. Smart.

  ​My thoughts extended trying to find Lotian, but they found a barrier there. Ignelion, you bastard!

  ​“My apologies for the trespassing, but I needed a word with you before your tomorrow’s quarterly review.”

  ​Simona’s head lolled on the side of the armchair. Ignelion’s spell must had been potent to put her out so fast. Rust mimicked her. The Dragon Soldier in his shiny silver-red armor slid down and remained unmoving.

  ​“And why is that?” I snapped at him. I felt betrayed by him. He had promised to train me, how much his words were worth now? “I have no reason to listen to you! It was you who brought Elleria into my life! It’s all your fault.”

  ​Ignelion nodded.

  ​“We all make mistakes. I’m not omnipotent… far from it,” he said in a conversational tone like there was no need to explain anything. “But many things are on you, Flare. Your intimate moment with Saaron had exposed me, which brought Mirenne’s attention on my head. Do you know how it is to be controlled twenty-four hour a day?” He raised a hand when I wanted to tell him. I had Rebecca.

  ​“I will tell you,” he continued. “It’s a death sentence and I’m alive only by the sheer magnitude of luck. Or should I say, Elleria going rogue? Her stupidity saved my ass. If Mirenne and her minions weren’t watching me all the time, Elleria’s attack would have been linked with me… anyway, that’s over. Though there are things I finally start to understand. Back then in the library, I sensed strong unicorn magic inside you. But we made a mistake assuming it had been put there by Selene. She wouldn’t do that.”

  ​“Then who?” It must have been her there on the roof. That feeling of losing my integrity as if my body was falling apart. A sharp shiver shot through me.

  ​“I have no idea, Flare,” Ignelion turned his back to me. I saw Rust’s eyes awaiting a confirmation. “Among the faculty, there is a strong downward current. The top doesn’t want teachers to concern themselves with you. While at the same time, the Heads and the board including Mirenne, are practically obsessed with you. You’re a walking mystery. Why do you think the military is here? To keep the Academy safe? No. This place survived Saaron and Dramer without their interventions. The Shard here might be worrying, but it doesn’t warrant their response.”

  ​Ignelion’s soft voice played on my nerves. He behaved as if everything was perfectly okay.

  ​“Is that all?” I said as I gently shook my head. Something was telling me that Ignelion sensed Rust’s resistance and pushed more magic onto my friend. I didn’t know Ignelion that well. No one in this place could be trusted.

  ​“No. Tomorrow’s quarterly review will be monitored. Closely. They’ll seek a pretext to have you. Heads. Board. Military. At the moment, there is a stalemate. No one will make a move with others just waiting to react. Your mystery burns their guts. They want to know who you are. Not the cheap story about the orphaned kid from the Wastelands. No one buys this anymore. Don’t let them provoke you tomorrow.”

  ​He started to walk away.

  ​“Wait. What about you? What is there for you?”

  ​He stopped looking nowhere in particular. Was he considering an answer or simply buying more time? What kind of business do you have in telling me this?

  ​“It’s my way of saying sorry. I promised you something. I failed. I wish I could make better amends, but if I keep close to you, my head will roll. Farewell.”

  ​Ignelion turned to dust.

  ​Simona’s eyes snapped open. She jumped to her feet, disoriented and confused.

  ​“What… where is he?”

  ​Steps. The Dragon Soldier rushed into the chamber. He looked as shocked as Simona. His movements betrayed desperation. On his watch, an intruder walked into the chamber, could do anything he wanted while the Dragon Soldier slept. It was going to look bad for him. Unless no one learned about this.

  ​“Relax. He’s gone.”

  ​The Dragon Soldier thought I spoke to him and halted his erratic search.

  ​“What did you say?” he asked in a crabby manner. “Who is gone? Who was here?”

  ​Simona rose.

  ​“Sit down, girl,” the soldier snapped. “I remember you three. Demi-dragon Dramer found and brought you to the Great York City.”

  ​“No shit,” I replied also raising. Rust followed me. “For now, forget this, soldier. But if you start causing us problems, then I’ll make sure Nix will learn about this evening. What about that?”

  ​I couldn’t see his face, hidden by the visor, but his shame showed outwardly. He looked unsure now that I’d threatened him. I bet that rumors about my closeness to Dramer and Nix have reached him so he should know I didn’t lie.

  ​Without a word, he took a seat two tables from us. Close enough to overhear our conversation in the empty common room.

  ​“What did he want?” Simona meant Ignelion.

  ​“A warning before tomorrow’s quarterly review. Apparently, everyone wants me. Fantastic,” I whispered. “If this continues, I’m leaving this place.”

  Chapter 8

  Ignelion’s visit put many things in a new perspective. If he’d said the truth, it meant that there must be another powerful fairy helping Elleria. This also confirmed many of my fears. Heads wanted me for some reason. I could understand Waterman, but Saaron? What for? Selene didn’t make much sense either. And yet, Selene and Saaron tried to intercept me for their ‘made up’ investigation. I still don’t understand, why Selene defended me from Watermane? She could have me while she dealt with the Dual Mind spell. Something must
have happened that changed her mind.

  ​The Evergreen Eyes potion wore off by the evening. It hit me harder than a hammer’s blow. I barely walked out of the bathroom, a couple of seconds later sleep got me.

  ​I hadn’t dreaded Tuesday morning until it arrived. Ignelion’s words echoed in my head. “Don’t let them provoke you.” Cool. For the fucking six months at the Academy of fucking Dragons, I’ve made every effort to stay out of trouble and keep my emotions in check. Has it helped? Not really.

  ​And the thing was, I’ve gotten tired of playing to other people’s tunes. For once, I gave up on the proper uniform and put on a pastel yellow skirt, it matched well with coal-black stockings and white long sleeve shirt. No jacket this time.

  ​Rebecca alarmed squeaky voice hardly filtered through my ears. She talked about losing behavior points, attracting attention and so on. Maybe, the time has come to give the quarterly review of the Academy?

  ​From the moment my heavy boots scrapped the marbled floor, students glared at me with a mix of curiosity and hostility.

  ​“This is going to end badly.”

  ​“Perhaps.” As I answered I realized something. If I was going to fail or lose, or whatever the bad outcome I’d meet, it must happen on my terms. First of all, demi-whatever could do anything they wanted. And so far, they failed to bend me to their will. My heart was a different story.

  ​The chamber on the fifth floor was almost empty. Only a few lone students sneaked about. Yes, I know, I meant to wait for someone to pick me up, but I won’t be their plaything.

  ​My classes started later on that day. History, math, and more bullshit about abandoning our rage. Watch me, how I lose my identity. Retards.

  ​I pushed the golden door. It only slightly resisted. At the end of the long reception sat the same dragoness who had welcomed me three months ago at the same place. She looked immaculate and bored. Her eyes lifted slightly, her brows kept going up until her perfect forehead creased.

  ​“Your review is scheduled in a half hour. Any other matter should be contacted via your personal assistant.”