38. Flint

38

FLINT

The wind whips around me as I soar through the night sky, my wings cutting through the air with ease. The transformation from human to Dragon is always exhilarating, but tonight, there's no time to revel in the freedom of flight. My mind is focused solely on one goal: finding my father and securing his help for Violet.

As I leave the grounds of MistHallow behind, I glance back. The castle stands dark and imposing against the starlit sky, and somewhere within its walls, Violet is trapped and alone. The thought sends a surge of determination through me, propelling me faster towards the Scottish mountains.

The landscape below changes rapidly as I fly, urban sprawl giving way to rolling hills and, eventually, the rugged peaks of the Highlands. I know these mountains like the back of my hand, or perhaps more accurately, like the scales on my wings. This is where I grew up, where I first learned to shift and fly.

As I approach the hidden valley where my father makes his lair, I let out a roar, the Dragon's call that echoes off the mountainsides. I circle the valley once, twice, before diving.

I land on a wide ledge outside a cave, shifting back to my human form as my feet touch the ground. The cold mountain air bites at my skin, but I barely notice it. Dragon blood runs hot, even in human form.

"Flint," my dad's voice rumbles as he joins me. He's a tall, broad-shouldered man with the same ice-blue eyes as mine, his hair whipping in the wind. "What's happened?" The sense of urgency in his tone is comforting. He knows without knowing that shit has hit the fan.

"It's about Violet." Quickly, I explain the situation about Briar's murder, the accusations against Violet, her isolation and Nathaniel's influence. As I speak, I see my dad's expression grows increasingly grave.

"Now she's locked away, alone and vulnerable to Nathaniel's manipulations," I finish, my voice tight with worry. "We need to get her out, to protect her. But Blackthorne won't listen to reason. Thorne has gone into her mind to try and help her, but…"

Glacier is silent for a long moment, his gaze distant as if considering something far beyond our current conversation. Then he focuses on me, his eyes sharp and intense. "There's much about Violet that you don't know. That she doesn't know herself, I suspect."

"Ugh," I say, frustration creeping into my voice. "We don't have time for riddles. Violet needs help now."

He nods, his expression becoming serious once more. "You're right, of course. We'll discuss this further when the immediate crisis has passed. For now, let's focus on getting Violet to safety."

Relief washes over me, so strong it's almost dizzying. With my father's support, surely, we can convince Blackthorne to release Violet. But if not, well, I've seen firsthand the power Glacier commands.

"Thanks, I—'' I say, my voice thick with emotion.

He cuts me off with a wave of his hand, but his eyes are kind. "Save your thanks, Flint. Now, we should go. Every moment we delay is another moment Violet is in danger."

I nod, stepping back to give us both room to shift. As I feel the change begin, my bones elongating and scales rippling across my skin, I wonder about his cryptic words. What does he know about Violet that we don't? How will it affect our already complicated situation?

But those are questions for later. Right now, all that matters is getting back to MistHallow as quickly as possible.

We take to the sky together, two Dragons streaking across the night. Despite the urgency of our mission, I feel a thrill at flying alongside my father. It's been too long since we've done this, and I've missed it more than I realised.

As we approach MistHallow, I feel dread well up. What will we find when we arrive? Has Thorne managed to reach Violet through the dream realm? Has Caine kept his promise not to tear the place apart in our absence?

We land just outside the school's wards, shifting back to human form. The castle looms before us, dark and imposing. But something's different. There's a tension in the air, a feeling of barely contained chaos.

"Something's happened," I mutter, striding towards the main gates. My father follows close behind, his presence reassuring and formidable.

As we enter the grounds, the first thing I notice is the noise - shouts, running footsteps, the unmistakable sound of magick being cast.

Fear grips me as I break into a run, my father keeping pace easily. We round a corner, and I skid to a halt, taking in the scene before me. Blackthorne pushes his way to the front of the group of staff members, frantically trying to fix the tower and, I'm guessing, find Thorne and Caine, who is nowhere in sight. His eyes widen as he takes in my father's presence.

"Glacier," he says, his voice grim and pissed off. "This is... unexpected." His last word is directed at me with a ferocity that makes my hackles stand up.

Dad steps forward, his presence seeming to fill the surrounding area. "Luke. I believe we need to have a discussion about the treatment of a certain student under your care."

Blackthorne's face pales slightly, but he stands his ground. "You're damn right we do. Your son and his two friends have destroyed academy grounds and broken out a student we were trying to keep safe."

"Safe," I scoff, feeling brave with my dad right next to me. "You imprisoned her without evidence."

"She is in need of protection, not isolation," Glacier snaps, his voice like ice. "I suggest we take this conversation somewhere more private, Luke. Unless you'd prefer to discuss sensitive matters in front of the entire school?"

Blackthorne hesitates for a moment, then nods reluctantly. "My office, then. Flint, if you have any idea where those three are, I suggest you speak up now, or things will get a lot worse."

I shake my head. "I honestly don't know. Last I saw Caine and Thorne, they were out here. Violet was last seen following you to her doom."

"Doom?" he growls. "Now, see here, young Dragon. There are forces at play here that?—"

"Can we not do this right here?" Dad drawls, sounding bored. "We are causing a scene." He gestures to the growing crowd of students peering out of their room windows, swan-necking to get a better view.

As we follow Blackthorne to his office, Dad stops me and whispers. "Go and find them. They can't have gotten far past the boundary wards. They are weakest about a mile west of here. Get Thorne to break them and stay safe until I tell you it's okay to return." He executes a partial shift of his hand, bringing his claws to the forefront. He slashes his wrist and grabs my hand, smearing his blood all over my palm. "That will get you through."

"Thanks, Dad. But when this is all over. I need to know what you know about Violet."

"All will be revealed, son. Just go."

I nod, feeling trepidation as I turn away. There's so much I want to ask him about Violet, but now isn't the time. I have to focus on finding her and the others, but whatever it is, it's huge and possibly life changing. For her and us.

I slip off, and as soon as I'm out of sight of the main buildings, I break into a run, heading west as my father suggested. The night air is crisp against my skin, and I can smell the faint scent of magick in the breeze. It's icy and subtle.

"Caine," I murmur. "You leaving me breadcrumbs?"

No doubt he is, but the scent carries me in the wrong direction. It doesn't matter; there is no point in breaking the wards without them with me, so I head in the direction Caine wants me to go. I catch a whiff of sweet violets with the feral undertone that reassures me that Violet is with them, but her state of mind is yet to be determined.

I follow the trail of icy magick Caine has left, moving swiftly through the dark forest. The scent grows stronger as I get closer to my destination. Either they've stopped, or I'm moving faster than them.

As I round a large oak tree that I swear growls at me as I pass by, I finally spot them. Caine is standing protectively in front of Violet, who is huddled against a tree trunk, her hands on her knees, her back bent, and her purple hair falling over her face. Thorne is nearby, his eyes scanning the surroundings constantly. They all turn as I approach, tension visible in their postures.

"Flint," Violet breathes, relief evident in her voice. She moves towards me, but Caine puts out an arm, stopping her.

"It's okay," I say quickly, holding up my hands. "It's really me. Dad's back at the school, talking to Blackthorne."

Caine's eyes narrow. "Prove it's you."

I smile at his caution. "Not that long ago, Violet fed from me in her room, and I shot my load in my pants."

The tension in Caine's shoulders eases slightly as he snickers. "Okay, it's you."

I move closer, my eyes fixed on Violet. She looks pale and drawn, but a strength shines through that wasn't there before. "Hey," I murmur, wrapping my arms around her. "Are you okay?"

"I'll live to fight another day."

"That's my girl. "

"Is your dad fixing this clusterfuck?" Thorne snaps.

"He's trying. Blackthorne is being a bit of a stubborn arse."

"Do you think Nathaniel got to him?" Violet asks slowly.

"I mean, it's possible, but Blackthorne is a stand-up guy. Usually. I find it hard to believe he would succumb to a vampire like Nathaniel."

"Could Nathaniel be controlling him, though?"

"No, I don't think so. Nathaniel is old but Blackthorne is like, ancient old."

Her shoulders relax slightly. "So basically, it's just him not trusting the new girl on campus."

"Yes, but that's good in a way. It means he isn't under anyone's thumb and can be swayed."

"By your dad?"

"Definitely by my dad. The second he decides he's had enough, he will pull all funding, and Blackthorne will be out of a job."

"So, he can be bought," she mutters.

I frown as I never looked at it that way before. "I mean, I guess. But that's different."

"How is it?"

Violet's blue eyes bore into mine, and I have to say, I've got nothing.

"Never mind that," Caine says, coming to my rescue before I dug a hole so deep that even my Dragon couldn't fly out of it. "We aren't safe here. We need to move. "

"Yes, we are heading in the wrong direction," I say, grateful for the change in subject. "We need to head West, Dad's orders." I hold up my bloody hand. "We need to hurry before this dries."

"What is that?" Violet asks, licking her lips as she stares at it.

"My dad's blood to break the wards," I clip out.

"Oh, handy," Thorne says. "Lead the way."

I take the lead, guiding our small group through the dense forest. The night is surreally quiet, the usual sounds of nocturnal creatures silenced by our passage. Violet stays close to my side, her hand occasionally brushing against mine as if reassuring herself that I'm still there.

"How much farther?" Thorne asks from behind us, his voice low.

"Not far now," I reply, my eyes scanning the darkness ahead. "We should reach the ward boundary soon."

As we walk, I notice the change in Violet. There's a powerful strength in her stride, a glint in her eyes that wasn't there before, not to mention the iridescent glow her blue eyes are emitting like some sort of beacon. Whatever happened in that room, whatever she faced in her own mind, it's changed her. The question is, how much?

We reach a dense patch of trees, and we fight our way through. The subtle shift in the air that signals the edge of the wards hits my senses, and I breathe in deeply. I hold up a hand, signalling the others to stop .

"This is it," I say, moving towards the invisible barrier. "Dad said there is a weak spot here. Thorne, can you sense it?" I can feel the magick humming in the air, a complex web of spells and enchantments designed to keep intruders out - and students in.

He pushes me out of the way and gets to work, using his Fae magick to attack the wards with a series of muttered spells. At one point, he grabs my wrist and plasters my hand over the ward.

"Oww, you fucker," I hiss as it stings like hell, but we all hear the audible snap of the ward as it breaks through the Dragon protection.

"Nice work," Caine says, clapping Thorne on the shoulder.

Thorne nods, looking a bit drained from the effort.

I flex my stinging hand. "Yeah, but we're not out of the woods yet. Literally or figuratively. We need to keep moving."

As we step through the broken ward, we are free, but with that freedom comes new dangers and uncertainties.

"Where do we go from here?" Violet asks, looking around as we are still in the middle of the humongous forest with nowhere to go.

I turn to look at her, struck again by the changes I see in her. There's a new confidence in her stance, a determination in her eyes that wasn't there before.

"Let's just keep walking," I suggest. "The more distance we put between ourselves and MistHallow, the better. "

The others nod in agreement, and we set off in silence, wondering where this night will lead us and also knowing time is running out for Violet. We will have to get her somewhere safe before the sun rises, or she's toast.