by M Guida
Dr. Greenwood helped me stand. “Do you think you can walk on your own?”
My legs wobbled, but I didn’t think I’d take a nosedive. “Yeah, I think so.”
I refused to act like a weakling under Montae’s watchful eye. I shuffled toward the infirmary door and then opened it. As if on cue, Anton was waiting for me.
He grinned. “Feeling better?”
“I can walk. Is the cafeteria opened? I need coffee with loads of cream.”
“The cafeteria is only opened when students are here, but you can get something to eat or drink at my home.”
I scanned the deserted courtyard––empty picnic tables, lonely trees, and unused trails––that should have been littered with students just like on any college campus.
Eating at Anton wasn’t high on my list. I missed sitting at the Royal table with the Defenders.
“I want to take a shower first. Is my old room available?”
“Your clothes are already unpacked.” He slipped his arm through mine and locked elbows. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“Thanks.” Normally, I would have argued, but I wasn’t sure if I could trust my unsteady legs.
I took small steps. “Who is here?”
“Just me and some of my staff.” Sadness flared in his eyes. “It seems so empty here without students.”
I hung my head, and the same misery squeezed my chest. “I’m sorry.”
Anton patted my arm. “You have nothing to apologize for Raven. The fault lies with Ryker, but don’t give up hope yet.”
I raised my head. “Is that why you sent the letter? You knew I would come here.”
“Of course.” He led me across the courtyard to Wyvern Tower. “We have much to do.”
We walked quietly on the cement path that wound around the green grass, trees, and flower gardens that led to a tall tower with a flag of a dragon hanging from the top window.
“Can you reach your old room on your own?”
“I think so.”
“Good. Meet me at my home in an hour.”
“Thanks for escorting me.”
He bowed slightly. “You’re welcome.”
I entered the tower. Usually girls were hanging out around the steps and coming and going, but it was eerily empty. I actually missed seeing Baron Germaine, but he was a dragon and loyal to the king and would probably never set foot back at Legacy.
But I learned never was an absolute word and usually wasn’t true.
My sandals echoed off the hardwood floor and made me break out in goosebumps. I held onto the railing as I climbed the stairs to the third floor and walked down the long hallway to mine and Mina’s room. I opened the door to find my empty bags at the foot of my bed. My bed was made and the dark comforter looked so inviting, but Mina’s was just a plain mattress.
Loneliness lodged in my gut and I missed the times Julie and I stayed up late in her room this past summer. Maybe I should have let Julie come along, but that was being selfish. Legacy wasn’t safe for any of us, especially a human.
I grabbed some clothes out of my bag and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I groaned. Medusa and I could be twins with my hair sticking out everywhere like snakes and smeared mascara underneath my eyes. Lucien had been the only one who hadn’t said anything about my appearance. Another reason I was in love with the guy. He accepted me as who I am. He’d seen me at my worse and still claimed to love me.
I didn’t bring much, just a couple of pairs of shorts, a pair of jeans, a Legacy sweatshirt, and some T-shirts. What I really missed were my uniforms, but there was no sense in wearing them.
In less than an hour, I had showered, done my hair, and was headed out the door. I was a person, and now my stomach demanded to be fed. Despite what Greenwood had said, his broth wasn’t cutting it. I didn’t care what Greenwood thought. Lucien was going to get something more than Forest Amaranth broth. I wasn’t going to let Lucien starve to death.
Bam Bam Bam
“Help me. Please.” A terrified female voice made me stop in the middle of the courtyard.
“They’re coming. Please, let me in.”
I recognized that loud, shrill voice. It was Mina. My arms and legs pumping, I rushed toward the front gate. I couldn’t run as fast as I usually did and felt like I was moving in slow motion. Lucien’s two goony guards stood in front of the portcullis and not making a move to open the gate.
“What… are you… doing?” I panted. “Let… her in.” I placed my palm on the brick wall to keep from falling down.
One of the guards glanced over his shoulder. “We are here to protect the prince. If we let her in, shadow demons could cross into these grounds.”
“Fools.” Out of nowhere, Anton reached the gate. “My wards wouldn’t let the demons inside. It’s outside that people could be murdered.”
He shoved one of the guards and lifted the gate. Shadow demons rushed toward us. Naked and her eyes huge, Mina rushed inside and landed on one knee. Her purple and white hair hung in front of her face. She was a dragon shifter like me.
The gate slammed behind her. Loud hisses echoed outside.
Anton glared at the two guards. His red eyes burned with fury. “I would like a word with you two.”
I hope he chewed the guards’ asses off.
I knelt. “Mina.”
She looked up and then gave me a huge grizzly bear hug.
“Oh, God. They almost had me.” She sobbed into my shoulder.
I held her just as tight. “Mina, did they shoot you?”
She sniffed and shook her head. “No.”
I leaned back and search her pale face. “Can you walk?”
“Yeah.”
I forced myself to stand onto my shaky leg.
Mina came up alongside me. “You don’t look very good.”
“I’m much better.” I wrapped my arm around her waist, trying to shield her from the guards’ curious gaze with my body. “What are you doing here? You’re so cold and you’re shaking. Come on, let’s get you back to our room.”
She gasped. “I couldn’t stay there anymore.”
I frowned. “Where?”
“Darwaeton Castle. It’s the dragon’s… stronghold.”
“No clothes?”
“When the demons attacked, I dropped my bag.”
“I’ve got something you can wear.”
“Thanks.”
“We’re definitely going to have to get some more clothes.”
She gave me a small smile. “It’s not like we can go shopping at the Silverton Outlet stores.”
Another loss, another fun time taken away from us. I used to like to go with my friends to the outlet stores and go shopping, but thanks to Ryker, that wasn’t possible. “Maybe Anton can help.”
We were back in our room and I gave Mina what little clothes I had.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Do you want to take a shower and then we’ll go to Anton’s to eat something?”
“God. Yes. I have loads to tell you.” By her somber tone, I’m sure it wasn’t good.
At Darwaeton Castle, my name would definitely be dragged through the mud. She disappeared into the bathroom.
Someone softly knocked on the door. “Raven?”
I opened the door to see Professor Soto, holding some bedding. Her blond hair was piled into a loose bun, and she had on what looked like jogging clothes. “Anton said we had another visitor, and I brought you a comforter and sheets for Mina.”
“Thank you.” I gladly took the items. “Would you like to come in?”
She pushed the hair out of her hair. “No, but thank you. I just finished my daily workout and need to freshen up.” She clasped my arm. “I’m glad you’re here. We need to rally the troops.”
“You mean the Defenders?”
“Don’t give up on them. Mina is only the first to return. They are loyal to you. Something that Ryker can’t destroy. No matter how hard he tries.”
“He killed two of
us,” I mumbled.
“I know. I’m sorry, Raven, but unfortunately, war is cruel, and there are causalities. It’s especially hard when it’s people we love.”
She didn’t elaborate and turned. I wasn’t the only one who lost people I cared about. Professor Soto had lost her mate. Bo had been bad enough, but losing Lucien would tear me apart.
Trying not to cry, I quickly made Mina’s bed.
She opened the door. “Oh, my god. Where did you get the bedding?”
“If you can believe it, Professor Soto brought it. Since Baron Germaine and the other Barons aren’t here, I guess the professors are picking up extra duties.”
She patted her belly. “I hope that means cooking. I’m starving.”
I smiled. “Are you feeling better?”
“I am.”
I opened the door to head out to Anton’s. “So, what was it you wanted to tell me?”
“It’s not good, Raven. The king blames you for Bo’s death.”
“I figured that.”
“And Vivian isn’t helping matters. She’s telling stories about how you toyed with Bo and broke his heart.”
Vivian had been in love with Bo and had been with him before I came to the academy. She had always thought she’d be the next queen of the dragons. Maybe Bo would have been better off with her. I wiped away a tear. “Sometimes I wonder if that’s true.”
“It’s not.” She clasped my hand. “Don’t do that to yourself. But you have friends there, Raven. Friends that are loyal to you because of Bo.”
My eyes widened. “I do?” My voice was full of doubt. I couldn’t believe that any dragon would trust me after I let Bo die.
She nodded. “Vivian’s just jealous that Bo’s heart belonged to you. You had a difficult choice between Bo and Lucien, Raven. Bo sacrificed himself, because he loved you. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I won’t. He was very special to me.”
“I know.” She wiped a tear. “That’s not all. I’m back to being a bottom feeder there. Vivian has stirred up rumors about my dad, and it’s been a living hell.”
Anger stirred in my blood at Vivian’s treachery, but it wasn’t unexpected. Bo was the one who used to keep her in line and now he was gone, so her ugliness would spread like wildfire.
I gave her a bear hug. “I’m so sorry. I should have had you come stay with me at Julie’s.”
She laughed. “Kinda hard when I had no way to contact you or knew where Julie lived.”
I tilted my head. “Let’s go pig out at Anton’s.”
“Anton’s?”
“Cafeteria’s not open.”
“That’s a bummer. I’ll miss the Royal table.”
“Me, too.”
“By the way, is Lucien here?”
“Yeah, he’s here, but he’s in the infirmary.”
“Oh, no.” Her brows furrowed. “What happened?”
I quickly caught her up to speed.
“Blood spell? That’s a new one on me.”
“Anton. What can I say?”
We reached Anton’s tower, and I knocked on the door. I wasn’t about to walk in as if I owned the place.
The door opened, and my jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe it. My dad smiled at me and he looked like he hadn’t a care in the world. His brown hair had streaks and his skin was tan, as if he’d been out lying on the beach somewhere.
I could barely speak until Mina elbowed my ribs.
“Dad? You’re here.” My whispering words echoed the hollow tone of the final note of a funeral hymn.
Chapter 7
My dad looked something right out of a travel magazine with his brown streaked hair, khaki cargo shorts, and blue Hawaiian shirt. Had he been to the islands sunning himself?
He was the Golden Phoenix and other supernaturals looked at him as being a superhero, but to me, he was a deadbeat dad–the man who had abandoned me, time and time again.
The scent of fried bacon and eggs lofted behind him. If I wasn’t so hungry, I’d turned my back on him. Besides, I needed to sneak some real food to Lucien.
My dad smiled sheepishly. “Surprised?”
“Surprised isn’t the word,” I mumbled. I brushed past him with Mina right on my heels.
Anton’s table didn’t disappoint. Metal trays of fried bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits, and sausage and gravy, and fresh fruit tempted me. My mouth watered.
Trying to ignore the delicious spread, I folded my arms and glared at my dad. “What are you doing here?”
“Taking a break from the fighting and checking on you.”
I frowned. “Me?”
“Your little diversion to the country club and the attack of the shadow demons reached my ears. You’re my daughter and I needed to know if you were okay. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you or Ebony.”
Ebony was my sister that I didn’t even know I had until recently.
“Oh.” I slowly unfolded my arms. “Have you found out where Ryker is holding Mom?”
Sorrow glistened in his eyes. “No. But we haven’t given up yet. I promise we’ll find her.”
I wanted to believe him, but he’d been saying that for so long and nothing had changed. I’d almost given up hope in ever seeing my mom alive again.
He pulled out a chair. “Are you two hungry?”
Mina clasped my arm. “I don’t know about you, but I am.”
He flashed a sunny smile that made his eyes crinkle. “Sit here, Mina.”
“Thank you.” She nodded shyly and slid into the chair.
My stomach let out a loud growl.
My dad winked and pulled out another chair. “You might be stubborn, but your stomach has other plans.”
I hesitated, but if I didn’t eat something more than Forest Amaranth broth, I wouldn’t be much help to anyone, including Lucien.
I sat down, and my dad gently edged it toward the table.
“Good.” He rubbed his palms together. “Let’s dig in.”
I scanned the living room and frowned. “Where’s Anton?”
My dad picked up Mina’s plate and loaded it with bacon, eggs, hash browns, and biscuits. “He’s checking on Lucien, and he wanted to talk with Montae.”
I hoped he was giving him an earful after what Montae’s lazy guards had done. In my opinion, they should be drawn and quartered.
My dad looked at Mina. “Would you like sausage and gravy?”
Mina nodded eagerly. “Please.”
He doused the biscuit generously with the gravy. I couldn’t tear my gaze from Mina’s plate and wanted to pounce on it.
I poured myself a big cup of coffee and filled it with cream.
Dad winked at me and picked up my plate, loading it with eggs, bacon, biscuits, and lots of sausage and gravy. I could barely contain myself before I scooped up the delicious gravy.
He sat across the table from us, attacking his own plate.
Bam
The door slammed open and Anton swooped in. His face was turning purple. “Some people try my patience.”
My dad put down his fork. “What happened?”
“Montae and his crew are obstinate and claim they will only take orders from King Gregori.”
The merriment in my dad’s eyes vanished. “And?”
Anton pulled out his chair and sat down. “To make things crystal clear, I believe we need to invite King Gregori for a visit.”
Chills crept down my back and my fingers shook as I held my spoon, dripping gravy all over my napkin on my lap. I jumped and crumbled up my napkin. I grabbed another one. “What? Are you serious?”
Anton dished up his plate with bacon and eggs. “Yes. I am.” He studied me. “I know the last time you met Lucien’s father it wasn’t a pleasant experience.”
Pleasant experience? Gregori reminded me of a gynecologist who said this might pinch a bit.
I stabbed my eggs with my fork. “If you invite the king here, he’ll force Lucien to leave with him again.”
“Perhaps, or perhaps not.” Anton said. “But he may be your best bet in helping you reunite the Defenders.” He cocked his eyebrow. “That is your goal, isn’t it?”
Duh?! But I kept my smart comment to myself. “What does inviting King Gregori have to do with getting the Defenders back together? Why the urgency?”
“Because Ryker has upped his game.”
I poured more cream into my coffee cup. “You mean he’s gotten worse?”
“Yes. The other kings are listening to him,” my dad said as he twirled a piece of bacon. “If you can convince him to let Lucien stay here and remain one of the Defenders, then he’s your best bet in getting the other kings to change their minds.”
I frowned. “Why are they listening to Ryker?”
“He’s threatening to kill anyone who doesn’t join him.”
My breath stilled. “Seriously?”
My dad leaned back in his chair. “Unfortunately, he appears to be getting desperate and desperate men do dangerous things.”
Anton stirred his coffee with a spoon. “That’s why I sent letters to all the Defenders, but not all of them have responded.”
I froze. “You did?”
Mina blurted, “He did. I got one. Anton said you needed me. I could never abandon you.”
I clasped her hand. “Thank you.” Besides Lucien, there was one Defender who had my back–my loyal roommate.
She clasped my arm. “But the question is, do the remainder of the Defenders want to be here? If they didn’t answer Anton’s letter…” Her soft voice trailed off, sending panic skimming over me, making me break out in a cold sweat.
My panic sent my voice rapidly firing away questions. “Why would you say that? Have you heard something I don’t know about? Did other people get letters at Darwaeton Castle?”
She sighed. “The only one I know of was Vivian.”
“And?”
Mina glanced uneasily at Anton. “She ripped it up.”
“I suspected as much.” Anton took a sip of tomato juice, or at least I hoped it was tomato juice.
Mina put down her fork and knife. “I have heard rumors, but I’m not sure how legit they are. Some of them came from Vivian, so who knows? She claimed Eden said Rhys will never come back here. Too much drama and too much danger.”
That’s calling the kettle black. Vivian and Eden were drama experts.
