As we walk into the hotel reception, I’m intercepted by Rocky, who has gone deathly pale. He looks like he’s seen a ghost.
“Are you okay?” I murmur, putting the bags down to hug him.
“Those people were hanging around. I was scared they’d got you...”
“No, we’re fine. I didn’t even see them.”
Marco stands awkwardly behind him, scuffing his feet on the floor. I hug my best friend next, but it doesn’t last long as Rocky quickly rips us apart. Throughout this Braith has been rummaging through the bags again, sorting through the underwear.
“Braith, out,” I sigh.
“Aww...” She stands up and crosses her arms sulkily as I pick up the bags once more.
“Did you get everything you needed?” my brother asks, taking a few of the bags off me, which I’m grateful for.
“Yep.”
“Her boobs are fucking great,” Braith giggles, turning to Marco and winking at him. “Bet you’re jealous you weren’t there to see.”
Rocky shoots Marco a glare, but chooses to ignore Braith’s comment. “Let’s go book you a room now then, yeah?”
We all lean against the empty desk and wait to be served. I spot Marco staring at my chest, so I jab him in the ribs. His face goes red and he mumbles a quick: “Sorry.”
A receptionist finally arrives, smiling at us. “What can I do for you?”
“A room for two for one night please,” my brother says.
“Okay. Are there any commoners staying in the room?”
Rocky is caught off guard for a few seconds before answering: “Yes, my sister. She’s sixteen.”
“Okay. That’s one hundred pounds in total with breakfast included. Because a commoner is staying she has to pay seventy.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Marco taps his hand on the table. “Why is she more expensive?”
The receptionist shoots Rocky and me a glare as if she hoped we would drop dead. “Too many undesirables were staying here, so we increased the price.”
That’s why Mum hasn’t come to see us...
My friend sighs irritably and throws her the money. “Here. That room better be in good condition.”
I knew it wouldn’t be.
As far as I’m aware, Braith and I got the shittiest room in the hotel. Despite asking for two beds, we got one tiny bed squeezed into a small space. The only other piece of furniture is a small table next to the bed with a lamp and a phone on it. The bathroom only contains a dirty toilet and a sink..
“We’ll make it work, Hazy.” Braith falls onto the bed, making it moan loudly. “Fucking hell, is this made of rocks?”
“How are Aqueous and Damayanti supposed to stay?”
We look at our companions, who are peering inside and looking concerned by the lack of room. Normie wastes no time in claiming the bed as his own, kneading the covers before deliberately stretching as far as he can to push Braith off the bed.
“Does the hotel know you’ve brought your pet?” She sends the little furball a glare when he rolls onto his back with his feet in the air. At least someone is comfortable.
“They charged double for me to stay,” I push the shopping bags under the bed to give us a bit more room. “So, they’ll have to deal with it.” Scanning the small space available, I sigh again. “Where can our partners stay, anyway? There’s barely enough room for us.”
“They can sleep on the floor, there’s room under the bed!” She ushers our companions inside, as if it wasn’t enough of a squash already.
My partner squeezes himself up between the wall and the bed, trying to offer more room. He looks at me sadly, his eyes dull and tired. Braith and I are pushed onto the bed, the room blocked by our companions.
This is a disaster.
“Braith-”
“Uh, uh!” She presses her finger against my lips. “It’s fine. It’s only for one night anyway!”
“Does the hotel not have stables?”
For a second she hesitates before nodding slowly. “No common dragons allowed.”
How mature.
Why is everyone acting as if I have some sort of disease? It’s just money!
Crossing my arms, I say through gritted teeth: “I should have guessed.”
Scratching underneath the door makes everyone go silent. Even Normie shoots up into a sitting position, his ears swivelling. Just over Damayanti’s tail I can see things being pushed under the door.
What now?
“Uh, sorry.” With a lot of effort and shuffling, I clamber over Damayanti, whose gaze is also locked on the door.
It’s a tiny brown envelope. It’s handwritten, with my name scrawled neatly on the front.
Who sent me this?
Or more importantly, how did they know where I was?
I open the letter, and a tiny, flat silver brooch falls into my hand. There’s no pattern on; it’s just plain. Curious, I read the letter to myself as Braith struggles to climb over her companion.
Dear Miss Adams,
Yet again, there has been a communication error with the school. We would like to apologise for this, as it has hindered your progress in education.
From now on, all commoners must wear this brooch to show their status. It makes it easier for teachers and instructors to mark work and see what trips are available to you. This brooch must be worn at all times when outside of your cabin: school, dragon training and even socialising.
We are very sorry if this late change has affected you, but we are trying our best to rectify it now. This change was introduced at the beginning of the academic year after complaints from teachers and instructors that records had to be sorted through to find any commoners and fit lessons around them.
You will still be able to approach teachers and instructors for advice or help as you used to, but if a student who is not a commoner asks for help at the same time, you will be seen to last.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Thank you.
This is crap.
I roll the brooch around in my palm, staring it in disgust. I’m advertising my low status so everyone will find it easier to pick on me.
How did this letter even get to me? Surely it should have gone to my cabin?
“Is it a love letter?” Braith snatches the letter from me, quickly scanning the neat writing. It’s obvious when she’s finished, as her nose wrinkles in disgust. “This is bollocks!”
“I know.”
“How is this even fair? I think they just want you to be a target!”
“That’s the point. Commoners are undesirable, remember?”
“I disagree,” she smiles sweetly, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “I think you’re pretty hot.”
“Braith...”
“Fine.” She drops her arm and screws up the letter. “Just wear the stupid thing and if anyone gives you shit for it, tell Rocky. You know he’ll make them wish they were never born.”
If all commoners must wear them, then so will Rocky.
I wonder how he’s reacting to this.
“I’m aware. But he’s probably got one too.”
“Phst! He won’t care! As long as sweet baby sister is alright!” she teases in a high, child-like voice.
With a reddening face, I snap: “Shut up!” I climb over Damayanti again and lie on the bed, my blood boiling.
She doesn’t understand. I don’t want him to get hurt over me.
“Hazy?” She murmurs, sliding onto the bed next to me. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. It was only a joke...”
“It wasn’t funny. I don’t want my brother ending up in hospital because he was defending me!”
“He’s not stupid-”
“Yes! He is that stupid! Fuck off, I don’t want to talk to you!”
Recoiling as if she’s been stung, hurt crosses her face before being replaced by anger. “Fine! You can sleep on the floor!”
Before her words can sink in, she’s pushed me off the bed. On the way down I hit
my head on the edge of the small table, making a sickening thud. My head aches as I sit up, and it stings horribly when I touch it. Blood covers my fingers, and spasms wrack my body as I start crying.
The evening just gets worse and worse.
“Shut up! Stop being such a-” Braith freezes as she peers down at me, and her eyes quickly widen in panic. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Cradling me like a child, tears start running down her face too. “It was an accident. I’m so sorry...”
Between sniffles, I manage to mutter: “I’m sorry for snapping at you.”
“I know, I know. Let’s get you fixed up, yeah? I’m sure the hotel has a nurse.”
“Be careful. She might charge extra when she finds out I’m dirt poor,” I joke half-heartedly.
“We’ll charge it to Marco. He won’t care.”
29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
It turns out Rocky was sent a brooch too. He got the letter when he went home, we’re still not sure who delivered it to my hotel room. Apparently, Wes had been worried sick; he was terrified that Normie and I had been kidnapped. Why anyone would want to kidnap that furball is beyond me. Of course, my brother was unimpressed when I explained what happened with my injury; he gave Braith the worst death glare I’ve ever seen.
“You were supposed to be looking after her, not hurting her yourself!” my brother fumes.
“Rocky, please.” I grab his face to make him look at me. “It was an accident. The whole room was a safety hazard. It wasn’t her fault.” He tries to glare at Braith again, so I use a harsher tone. “Rocky.”
For a few seconds he says nothing, but then finally gives in. “Fine.”
“Good.” I let go of his face, and he starts rubbing one cheek painfully, trying to hide the red fingerprints.
He goes back to pawing at his breakfast, too unhappy with Braith to continue eating. Not that the food here is great anyway.
“How are you getting on with the brooch?” Braith asks timidly.
Rocky rolls his eyes. “Awful. Ciara teased me about it in front of her friends. They’re trying to convince her to dump me now.”
“Don’t listen to them,” I sigh, taking a bite of toast. “If she really loves you, she’ll ignore them.”
With a sigh, he smiles. “You’re right.”
It’s bad that a part of me wants them to break up. I still don’t think Ciara’s good enough for him. Whenever Marco’s around she forgets about Rocky and can’t stop flirting with him. He never flirts back, but just the thought is enough to piss my brother off. It isn’t helping him to be more civil with my best friend.
“Hey.” Speaking of Marco, my best friend wraps his arms around my neck from behind, squeezing me softly and brushing my hair out of my face.
“You finally crawled out of bed, huh?” I tease.
“Mm-hm. I wanted to get a lie-in before my exams.”
Now that school has finished for everyone, exams have officially started for the older Years. However, because I don’t have any academic exams, I just get an extra week off.
“Which ones?”
“I’ve got chemistry and physics back to back at one.”
“Ouch.”
He smirks. “I know. But to top that off, I’ve also got English at four.”
Rocky squirms uncomfortably in his seat. English must be his first exam. I really hope he does okay; it’s his worst subject.
My friend finally sits down opposite me, eyeing everyone up. “Why are you all so quiet?” His gaze moves down to my brooch. “Why are you wearing that?”
“You haven’t heard?” I sigh. “All commoners have to wear these from now on.”
“Bullshit!”
“It’s true,” Braith swirls her cereal around in the bowl. “I read the letter myself.”
“Well, if it makes you feel better I have to wear this-” he points to a gold brooch on his jacket “-to show that I’m a premier.”
What is the plan with this?
They are pointing out the commoners and the premiers, but for what reason? Is it so that people look up to the premiers and down upon the commoners?
I don’t really see the point in any of this.
“I guess it’s so that they can easily separate commoners from the premiers,” my friend leans back in his seat.
“What makes you say that?” I take another bite of toast.
“The guys in suits by the door.”
Everyone whips around to the door, where three people in grey suits stand, scanning the area. They know what they’re looking for.
And I’m sat right next to him.
My body stiffens as their gazes land on our table. They start making their way over, their companions moving to block the exit.
“Look what you’ve done!” Rocky pinches the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
“What? What did I do?” Marco snaps.
“You’ve led them right to us!” my brother snaps. “Everyone knows about how you’re best friends with Hazel! So, who do you think they’re coming for exactly?”
Realization dawns on my friend’s face, and he goes pale. “Haze, I didn’t know-”
Quickly I grab his hand and squeeze it as they get closer, more for my comfort than his. “I know. Just... Don’t let go of my hand, okay?”
“Rocky and Hazel Adams, I presume?” one says, smiling at us sweetly. “We’ve been hired by the school to protect the premiers. I know your letter didn’t go into detail, but I’ll explain this to you two now. Under no circumstances are commoners allowed to interact with the premiers. There’s a fine associated with it. Now you two-” He looks down at my hand locked in Marco’s “-have broken that rule.”
“She’s my friend,” Marco growls. “I’ve known her since she popped out of the womb.”
“That’s a lovely image, Marco,” Rocky sighs sarcastically, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
“We understand that, Mr White,” the second one says. “But it’s the rules.”
“Now.” The first man pulls a white ticket out of his pocket. “This is the fine: two hundred pounds.”
What?
For talking to Marco?
I can feel my friend’s grip tighten. “That’s ridiculous! She didn’t even know!”
The last one, a woman, sighs irritably. “We understand that. But we need to set an example.”
This is shit. But I can’t cause trouble when everyone has exams; they’re stressed enough. Rocky has enough on his plate without having to worry about some stupid fine.
“Who do I pay?” I ask venomously.
The second guy smirks victoriously. “The school reception. In cash.”
“Alright. If we’re done here you need to leave Mr White alone immediately.” The first guy shoots my brother, who has been unusually quiet, a suspicious glare. “Either return to your room or leave the premises. You are not to communicate with him, or any other premier, again. Do you understand?”
Yeah, like that’ll happen.
“Loud and clear. Come on, Braith, we need to check out anyway.”
Braith looks astonished at how easily I’m giving up. Everyone does. Aqueous gets up as I do, his mouth open in shock.
“No, don’t...” Marco yanks me back, his voice soft and pained.
Can’t you see what I’m doing?
My eyes sting as I stare into his wide eyes; I don’t want to give up and leave him like this. I try to pull my hand out of his grip, but he’s stubborn. At this point the three suited people look annoyed. One grabs my arm and yanks it out of his grip herself. Despite my head reeling over what’s happened and my arm aching, I manage to get around the corner with Braith before dropping my calm demeanour. Leaning back against the peeling wall, the tears finally flow. Aqueous nuzzles my hand softly and looks up at me with understanding eyes.
“We’ll get past this,” she murmurs, wiping a tear away from my eye. “We’ll find a way. I know for sure Marco won’t give up; he looked heartbroken.”
“This is shit,”
is all I can think to say.
With a small laugh, she replies: “Everything is shit now. But we’ll get past it, all of it.”
* * *
“I hate English. Do I have to go?” Rocky whines.
“Yes. You’ll do fine, honestly. I believe in you.”
My words seem to have a tiny impact as his shoulders relax a bit. “What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to go home. I haven’t seen Wes yet; he’s probably worried sick about me.”
My gaze travels to Marco, who is leaning on the reception desk, his eyes dull and distant. Suited people are everywhere; I think there’s one for each premier present. I couldn’t go over to him if I’d wanted to.
“Haze?” He follows my gaze, and his face quickly hardens. “Don’t.”
“Rocky, I’m not stupid.” I sigh, averting my gaze as my friend looks up at me.
“You are around him. I remember when he thought it would be a hilarious idea to climb onto the school roof. You both fell through and into the classroom below, he broke his wrist and your head almost cracked open; you still have the bloody scar. I think that’s quite stupid, don’t you think?”
“Alright, I get it,” I reply, self-consciously rubbing the large angry line stretching from my nose to my eye.
“No, you don’t.” He grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me slightly. “Being away from him could be good for you. You could make some new friends.”
“Oh? I’m sorry, who introduced you to Braith and Wes?”
“Apart from them. Some proper friends, ones who will actually be there for you.”
My heart thumps wildly at what he’s saying. How can he question my friends? Braith has been extremely supportive through the really bad times, and although Wes is grumpy I know he still cares about me and would be there if I ever needed him. They’re all there for me!
“Marco would dive off a cliff if I told him to,” I snap, pushing him back, but he barely stumbles. “And Braith is always around. So, you have no right to say I don’t have ‘proper’ friends.”
Elemental Dragons Book 1: Blood and Water Page 23
