Dragon Fire Academy 2: Second Term

by Rachel Jonas

  “Solaris,” the man said next, and the four in black lifted their torches as well.

  “Eros and Aurora.” The two hives in green and purple did as the others before them.

  “And our newest hive,” the man said with a proud smile, “the Omegas.”

  My heart pounded, seeing four more flames raised high into the air. People exploded with cheers and applause, causing the pride I held for them to swell even more. I heard each of their names on the lips of those who adored them, and I couldn’t blame anyone for loving them.

  Holding up a hand, the man quickly quieted the crowd. “This same fire still burns in our hearts,” he continued. “And at the hands of these hives, the evil that plagues us has been forced into submission time and time again, allowing the sun to rise and set on our faces day after day. We believe that, one day, we will again reclaim the entirety of our land from The Darkness, declaring Spirit’s goodness as we dance in celebration,” he announced.

  Still in awe, I hadn’t turned away to even glance at my friends. Judging by their silence, they were just as engrossed in the performance. So much emotion bled from those depicting their island’s history, it seemed to spill over onto the rest of us.

  The circle the Firekeepers formed around the hill tightened, moving closer to the storyteller. My eyes were on my guys, of course. They’d been silent in thought since the initial conversation, leaving me to wonder if they were as moved by this presentation as I was. Or, perhaps having seen it before, or being on the frontline of the battle, they were numb to it all.

  “There have been great sacrifices made by the few, to protect the interest of many,” the man stated, lowering his head toward the ground, letting his arms fall as well. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. “It is with great shame that we give of ourselves to appease our adversary. Our hearts are repentant and grievous for the blood on our hands, but with how you have continued to smile on us, we are certain your affection is never far away.”

  For the first time since he began, I shifted to glance at my friends. Their expressions reflected the same confusion I felt.

  What … sacrifices? What blood was on their hands?

  “It was the father of our great Chief Makana who, several centuries ago, discovered a way to keep The Darkness sated, a way to lessen the number of attacks, a way to lessen the spread of it’s sickness.”

  My stomach dropped, despite not having heard a full explanation. It was at this very moment that the word Ori used rang inside my head.

  Outsider.

  I was an outsider, not meant to be privy to all their ways, their traditions.

  Their secrets.

  “Soon, a new offering will be made, commencing with our next sacred lottery,” the man stated.

  Lottery—I heard that word before, but never with an explanation attached.

  “Those nominated to be handed over to The Darkness will never be forgotten, and their names will forever be honored, memorialized on the Weeping Stone.”

  The Weeping stone—Rayen had once nearly slipped and said too much, settling on the explanation that the stone was a memorial. But now … I was pretty sure I knew what—or should I say who—it memorialized.

  Those chosen in the lottery.

  Sacrifices.

  My stomach rolled and I thought I might be sick. “I need to go.”

  Toni, having just heard the same explanation I did, didn’t fight me on the decision.

  “Come on, guys.” The rest of our group fell in step when she suggested that we leave, and if it wouldn’t have called undue attention to us, I would’ve run.

  My head swam with all this information, with all the revelations, and I found it so hard to believe that the Omegas were a part of this. Did they really allow their own people to be sacrificed to The Darkness? I’d seen so much warmth and compassion in the four I couldn’t even comprehend it.

  Only, now, when I envisioned my mates, I only saw blood on their hands.

  For the first time since being referred to as an outsider, I didn’t reject the idea. If this was a tradition embraced on Sanluuk … I didn’t want any parts of it.

  Chapter Twenty

  Noelle

  Devastated.

  Sick to my stomach.

  How could they let this go on right under their noses?

  A body shifted beside me in the bed, and I was comforted by Toni’s presence. She hadn’t left my side since we got in a while ago. There hadn’t been a single word exchanged between us yet, but I knew she understood all the same.

  “You have to talk to them,” she eventually said, breaking the silence. “They’re not just some dudes you’ll get tired of and move on from. Which means you guys have to fix this.”

  The child in me wanted to pout, reminding her that I wasn’t the one who’d done something wrong, but I quickly put that thought to bed. Because she was right. I’d wait until I found the right words, until my emotions weren’t so high, but I would bring it all to light soon.

  “They just … hand their own people over to this thing, Toni,” I said out loud, shaking my head. Maybe I just needed to know I hadn’t misheard, hadn’t imagined it all.

  “I know,” she assured me. “It’s something they’ve practiced for a long time, before your guys were even born. And if there’s one thing you know from your mom’s situation, it’s that change doesn’t come overnight. Wolves and Dragons were under The Sovereign’s thumb for centuries before she rose to power, so keep this all in mind.”

  Again, she was right, and I knew it, but I still hadn’t quite wrapped my head around this. I suppose it was partially because, in my mind, they were these valiant heroes, infallible. Now, to hear that they knew what was going on, and hadn’t done anything …

  “Do you think they participate in this … lottery?” I asked. “Do you think that’s one of their duties? Hauling innocent victims to their deaths?”

  Toni shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t know any more about this than you do, but I feel confident enough to say that I highly doubt it,” she answered. “Why? Do you think that?”

  Being honest, I wasn’t completely sure what to think. “No, but … with my feelings toward them, I’m liable to give them a pass on anything. I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else,” I sighed. “There has to be more to this.”

  “Which is why you need to put on your big girl pants, fess up to going to the celebration, and asking your guys flat-out what the deal is. I’m positive they’ll tell you whatever you need to know.”

  “Not sure about that,” I rebutted. “After all, had I not crashed the festival, I might not have ever known.”

  “You don’t believe that,” Toni cut in. “Think about it. Would you be jumping at the opportunity to tell someone you care about that your folks were into something like this?”

  She was so level-headed, and I needed that more lately than I ever had in my life.

  “No,” I admitted with a sigh.

  “Exactly. So, give them the benefit of the doubt and lay it all out in the open. But do me a favor,” she added. “Wait until you can talk about it without sounding all judgey.” There was a laugh in her voice and it brought one out of me, too.

  “Agreed,” I answered. “Besides, I’m kind of the last person to judge anyone right about now.”

  She rubbed my arm reassuringly. “Well, look at the bright side. You got all up in your feelings today and you didn’t go dark on anyone. That’s progress, right?”

  I laughed again, only now thinking about it. “True that. I guess my time with Blythe has been helping more than I realized.”

  “Mmm hmm. I guess.”

  There was no missing the shade she’d just thrown, making me crack up for a third time.

  “She’s not so bad,” I said, lightly defending Blythe.

  “I already told you, you won’t hear a peep from me about it as long as she doesn’t cross you. If she does, the claws are definitely coming out.”

  I didn’t doubt that fo
r a second. “Understood.”

  We settled into the silence again, resting together in my tiny bed meant for one. Our talk had helped me see things more rationally. I’d be mature about this and talk things out with the guys, but not before I was ready.

  Soon.

  Or at least soon-ish.

  ***

  Rayen

  Sleep was a no-show. Mostly, I tossed and turned all night, being serenaded by fireworks from the celebration that went on well past three this morning.

  Now, here I stood beside my brothers, waiting for the Council to see us.

  “Are they really going to drag this out?” Ori grumbled, deciding he didn’t care enough about being heard to have this conversation in thought.

  “Who knows?” Paulo sounded equally frustrated.

  Yet, none of them could have been as on edge as me. Ty seemed confident I’d only be required to make a formal, public apology to Ori and the rest of the hive, so I was trying to hold on to that, but I felt unsettled.

  “My guess is that my father’s behind the delay,” Kai added with a sigh. “He never misses an opportunity to show his power, remind people they’re under his rule, on his schedule.”

  Anxiety had me pacing the entire forty-five minutes, glancing over at the clock every few seconds. When the door leading to the conference room finally opened, my gaze darted in the direction of the woman now standing there—Helene. She wore a polite smile, but I saw through it. They’d been discussing me, my infraction, and weren’t pleased.

  “Come in,” she beckoned, stepping aside so the four of us could pass through. Once inside, six more sets of eyes landed right on me. Only, these Council members weren’t as discreet about their feelings as Helene.

  We each took our seats on the opposite side of the long, wooden table. I’d been in this room twice before, but never because I’d committed an offense.

  Seated front and center, was Chief Makana, wearing a smug grin as usual.

  “Ano-Luana, Omegas.”

  “Ano-Luana,” we each responded.

  He glanced around the table at us all, lacing his fingers on the surface before him. “Rayen, can you please explain to me, and the Council, why you’re seated here with us today.”

  As if they didn’t already know …

  Glancing toward Ori, I cleared my throat before speaking. “Well, upon locating our hive’s queen, I … broke protocol.”

  Explaining why I’d been intimate with my own mate left a bad taste in my mouth.

  Chief Makana nodded. “I see.” He lowered his gaze to the tabletop. “This is the first time in the history of the Firekeepers that we’ve experienced such a devastating transgression. You’ve disrespected your alpha, while also shaming and crippling your hive. So, forgive me for asking this question, but … what on Earth were you thinking?”

  His eyes narrowed in my direction and I felt venom race through my veins.

  ‘You don’t have to answer that,’ Ori said, cutting into my thoughts.

  ‘It’s fine,’ I answered. ‘I’ll play along if it gets us out of here faster.’

  Meeting Chief Makana’s gaze, I took a breath. “I was thinking I felt connected to our queen. I was thinking it wasn’t anyone’s business that we, two consenting adults, decided it wasn’t necessary to wait for permission to do what felt natural.”

  As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I should have chosen them more carefully.

  Chief’s mouth tightened into a hard line. “Hm.”

  He stared, unwavering.

  “Chief, I—”

  “I expected you to arrive this morning with a bit more remorse. A bit more … humility. However, it seems you feel justified in your wrongdoing.”

  “It’s not like that. I—”

  “Ori, what are your thoughts on the incident?” Chief asked, cutting me off midsentence.”

  My jaw clenched, knowing I had no choice but to let the man over-talk me.

  Ori breathed deep before answering. “I wasn’t upset by it. My only concern was that we needed to take care of this matter to atone with Spirit.”

  Chief Makana narrowed his gaze at my brother, leaning in to rest on his elbows. “Those were your only feelings? You weren’t angry Rayen took it upon himself to lay with your queen before you’d had the chance to establish your own connection with her?”

  He was trying to push Ori’s buttons, attempting to light a raging fire between us that didn’t exist.

  “No, sir,” Ori sighed. “As I stated before, I was only concerned about our obligation to uphold protocol as Spirit ordained it.”

  Chief’s glare burned through Ori. “Very well then. I suppose we ought to get on with it.” His gaze snapped toward me again. “Turn to your alpha. Make your formal apology and Spirit will forgive your disobedience.”

  My jaw gritted at his choice of words, but I turned toward Ori nonetheless. He stared back with not an ounce of animosity within him. It was only Chief who was angered by my actions.

  I cleared my throat and blocked everyone else out of my mind.

  “You have my sincerest apology, brother. I stepped out of line,” I admitted. “You’ve been nothing but a fair and honorable leader, and I should have held your position as my alpha at a much higher regard. My judgment was clouded by my emotions, and I acted without considering our hive above all else. And for that, I am truly sorry.”

  Ori gave a tight smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, and I knew it was because he didn’t think this display was even necessary. “I’d say I forgive you,” he said, “but there’s nothing to forgive.”

  I nodded his way, promising myself I’d never put him, myself, or our hive in this predicament again.

  The four of us turned to face Chief once again.

  “Very well then,” the man grumbled, letting his stare volley between the two of us. “I suppose that concludes this meeting.”

  Happy to have it all behind me, I braced the arms of my chair to stand with my brothers, but halted when Chief cleared his throat.

  “Just … one more thing,” he added with a smile. “You’ve paid your debt to Spirit, but there’s the small issue of repaying your debt to this tribe.”

  My brow tensed, staring at him. “What are you talking about?”

  That sick smirk of his was still visible. “You will be detained for an undisclosed number of days, released when we—myself and my constituents—feel you have learned your lesson, and learned your place,” he revealed, shocking me into silence.

  But Kai had plenty to say.

  “You’d put this tribe at risk, weakening our hive by removing a member all to prove a point? Because that’s exactly what this is—a power play.”

  Chief narrowed his gaze toward his son. “Should I be condemned for weakening your hive? Or should your beloved brother bear that burden?” The question was followed by silence. “Now, I’m a fair man. I’ll allow you a small window of time to get your affairs in order, and at an appointed time, we shall come to collect you,” he announced. “And I should advise you not to flee. I’m granting you this opportunity because, despite your recent actions, I believe you to be a man of honor.”

  “But, sir … this isn’t right,” I reasoned, doing my best to bridle my growing anger. “It’s not like I’ve hurt anyone.”

  “And that’s nothing but a stroke of luck,” Chief snapped. “Any number of incidents could have occurred to endanger your hive when you crippled them. So, consider this portion of your punishment insurance. Insurance that you will never cross your hive or this tribe again,” he added. “I believe that once you’ve served your time, you will have a newfound appreciation for those who have rule over you.”

  “How long?” Ori called out, the tension in his posture blatantly obvious.

  Chief shrugged casually. “It’s too soon to tell.”

  ‘Kai, how offended would you be if I dick kicked your father?’ Paulo grumbled inside my thoughts.

  ‘You’d get no objections from me,
’ was Kai’s honest answer. ‘There has to be a way to get around this, go over his head.’

  The suggestion was fine in theory, but I think we all knew we didn’t have much choice in the matter.

  My thoughts were interrupted when the door we’d just come into crept open. Long before turning to see who entered … I smelled them.

  Witches. The evil ones.

  There were no magic wielders on our island, except those attending the academy, but these three were far too old for that. Which meant Chief brought them here. For what purpose, I wasn’t sure, but I had a terrible feeling now resting in the pit of my stomach.

  When I glanced toward Chief, that smirk was back. “Which brings us to the final point of our meeting. The three standing before you are the latest additions to our island, and in this instance, they’re also my backup plan,” he shared before letting his gaze fall to me again. “Should you try to run, should you try to fight, you will be dealt with in a far less civil manner than you have been today. From now, until we come to collect you, you will be watched,” he warned.

  Ori stood. “You have to know this is overkill, right? Rayen’s been nothing but good to you, to our tribe. Are you trying to make an example out of him?”

  “That’s exactly what this is,” Chief admitted, slowly standing to his feet to meet Ori’s glare. “I see how our people revere you four, bowing before you like gods here in the flesh. It’s high time they realize the four of you are mere men,” he spat.

  A spark of something unexpected flared in his eyes.

  Envy.

  “Our people need to see that even the mighty can fall,” he continued, anger spreading through his expression. “They will know that there is only one on this island who answers to no one.”

  My shoulders rose and fell with each furious breath I took.

  “So, that’s what this is about?” Ori seethed. I glanced his way just as fire began streaming through his veins, spreading upward from his fists. “You think your title protects you? You think seeing you strongarm Rayen will earn you the people’s respect?”

  Chief’s expression tightened. “I have their respect,” he forced out through his teeth.