10. Riggs

10

Riggs

When the other students went for dinner, I dragged myself up the stairs and collapsed on my bed.

Where I slept like the dead for three hours.

I woke up to the tantalizing scent of freshly baked meatrolls. I blinked at Sid, who sat on his bed and stared at me through his ridiculous half-glasses.

Adilyn was on his shoulder, and a plate was on the dresser beside me.

"Thought you'd be hungry," he said. "You were really out. Have you slept at all since?—"

"No," I confessed, pushing myself upright. "Had a bit going on."

The gentle wisdom in the Anisau's eyes was what clinched it for me. That expression was likely how he always managed to glean his "information." Although I hardly knew him…

He can be trusted. Breana sounded tired.

Yes, I think so, too. For some reason I couldn't define, I also trusted Adilyn.

She's pretty caustic, Breana said. But she always tells the truth, whether or not you want to hear it.

I took a deep breath and told them that I was not the only one hiding. They already knew about me, and that I'd been involved in a plan to rescue Tyrez, but now they knew about my family, too.

It was a risk. But then, the entire venture was.

They can help you keep the secret a secret, Bree said as she yawned.

Did you get any sleep? I asked her.

Yes. Some, she stated.

"Your family is so effing dysfunctional," the Faerie interrupted our silent exchange. Her voice was rather shrill in her natural state.

"But they are alive," Sid chided Adilyn gently. "And you know what they say about life and hope."

I appreciated that they were having the debate out loud, for my benefit.

We hadn't yet turned on the desk lamp. The late evening light cascaded through our window and lit the cheek and jaw of Sid's craggy face. "So you are going to train your own army?" he asked.

"It may not take much training. Ganit has Legion soldiers ready to defect to us."

"If you could get proof of what that effing Daize is up to," Adilyn snarled, "you might not need your army."

"Cara seems to think Daize has plenty who would remain loyal to him, and he won't go down without a fight," I said. "And then, there is the underworld."

We all sat quietly as we contemplated that our current peace would not last.

Into that moment of reflection, came the Phoenix. With a poof of bright flame, it hovered between us.

"That's Cara's bird," I exclaimed, brushing sparks off my covers.

It winked out again.

Adilyn got a lungful of ash—which, at her current size, wasn't much at all—and sneezed.

I stood. "She must want to see me," I said.

Sid rose with me, and Adilyn clung to his shoulder. "Do you mind if we come along?" he asked.

I hesitated. "I never asked you if you really wanted to be part of all this. And I need to. Because your life, if you forget about all this and go on as a student, will be much simpler."

The Anisau met my eye. "By the sounds of things, the academy will not remain unaffected for much longer. The council will be forced, eventually, to choose a side. Either your family, or Daize."

"And if they chose Daize?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Then I am no longer a Shade operative. I did not join this academy to collude with the underworld."

Adilyn snorted a laugh. "If the council holds true to form, they will try to remain neutral and not get involved in Dragon politics."

Sid followed me out into the hall. "She's got a point," he said. "That meshes with their track record to date."

"Then you will have a safe place to stay and train," I said.

"But not you?" Sid asked.

I shook my head. "My family wants me right in the middle of this."

As we descended the stairs, the Anisau's big feet landed on every second one. "The sword picked you for a reason," he said.

"In case you hadn't noticed"—I had a hard time keeping the impatience out of my voice—"that blasted sword and I have parted company."

Sid didn't reply. We got off at the third floor, and I led the way to Cara's suite.

The door was already open, and Cara poked her head into the hall. I paused, and gestured to Sid and Adilyn. "They know everything."

Cara tweaked a brow, but then she nodded. "Friends will be needed, going forward."

We followed her into the suite, and I stopped dead when I saw who awaited us. A Centaur took up every spare inch of the living room.

"Hello, Razir," he said. "Good to see you looking well."

What is Emmanuel doing there? Breana asked.

"Emmanuel?"

He smiled. "You remember. That is good."

"Well, Breana knows you," I confessed. "My mind is still pretty muddled."

His smile disappeared. "You know Bree?"

Too late, I remembered that Bree had stolen his colony's children.

"Bree and Razir are mated," Cara said. "And before you say anything, remember that Bree is trying to make amends for her past mistakes."

Emmanuel's eyes flashed, and he grimaced. "Triss is saying much the same thing. I find it hard to be as forgiving, considering my mate almost died when those children were taken."

"I understand," I said. "Are you here to see me?"

He moved aside. "I was asked to deliver this to you."

Lying on the table behind him was the sword.

I gaped at it. And then, at him.

His brows dropped. "It is your sword, is it not? The young man said it belonged to Riggs. I thought that was the name you were using."

Before I could answer, Cara walked up alongside me and slapped my bicep. "It's his sword."

"It's the sword, not my sword," I protested. "And how did it get to Emmanuel? What young man?"

I told Tez to keep the sword away from Finn and Victor. Breana sounded as shocked as I was. He must have taken it to Emmanuel.

Won't that get him in trouble with Victor?

It will if Victor finds out.

I passed that on to the others in the room. Cara pushed her hair back off her face. "Our conflicted young man has just enormously complicated his life."

"That two-faced bastard betrayed us," I snarled.

The Watcher fixed me with a look. "Even two-faced bastards deserve a second chance," she said.

Emmanuel's hooves clomped as they shifted on the floor. "Triss is reminding me that we all make choices for a reason."

He wasn't talking about just Tez. It was a reminder that Breana, also, was working on her second chance. But Breana was in the clutches of Vic, the prick, because of Tez.

He may have returned the sword, but he'd taken something infinitely more precious to me.

We don't all make the right decisions, Breana said softly . But I believe that, sooner or later, our true natures shine through.

I cannot forgive him for betraying us.

What if your life was on the line? s he said. What choice would you make then?

The right choice is the right choice, I insisted . Regardless of the circumstances.

I have made bad choices for what I thought were the right reasons, Breana almost whispered the words. Sometimes, what is right is not always clear. Her guilt pulsed along the link.

I hurried to reassure. You believed it was right at the time. It was not your fault.

Those children could have died. That would have been on me…

When Breana trailed off, Caliel weighed in. The point is, we do not know Tez's background, and therefore cannot judge him.

Anger coiled inside me, but before I could frame a retort, Cara put her hand on my arm.

"Sorry to interrupt what is surely a fascinating internal debate," she said, "but I need you to pick up your sword, because we have somewhere to be."

Emmanuel handed it to me. "I'd like to see it, if you don't mind."

He's a sword maker—of course he'd be interested, Breana informed me.

It might be perfectly understandable, but I took the scabbard from him with no small amount of reluctance.

Suck it up, buttercup, stated Caliel.

What in the heck is a buttercup? I demanded.

A flower in the human realm, he offered .

While my mind spluttered at being called a flower, Bree said, Just draw the sword, Riggs.

I sighed and drew the sword. It shone so brightly I couldn't look at it, and power surged through me…

And through the link to Bree and Caliel. I felt her bask in it, drawing it in like a sponge did water. Far stronger than any crystal or sex act—and suddenly, I knew how I could help her.

Or rather, how the sword could.

"That—is magnificent." Emmanuel's deep voice was hoarse with wonder. "Can I hold it?"

"I don't know," I said. Once drawn, what happened when the sword was handed to another? I glanced at Cara.

"I don't think it will hurt him," she stated. "Let him try."

I handed him the sword.

The light dancing along the blade extinguished in an instant, and I saw the muscles of his arms quiver.

"It's so heavy," he said.

I stared at him. "For me, it's so perfectly balanced I can barely tell I'm wielding it."

He handed it back, and the blade shone again.

"Well, that's pretty damned clear," Emmanuel said.

I ground my teeth together. But I would wield it, if the sword could help Breana.

Cara clapped her hands together. "Okay, boys, time to put the toy away. Or we'll be late for a very important meeting."

I slid the blade back into the scabbard. When I return, I promised Breana, I'll use the sword to recharge you.

I'll hold you to that, she whispered.

The Watcher paused near the stairwell.

"Meet me at the forest gate," she told us, before turning to ascend.

Emmanuel leaned close. "I'd like to talk to you."

Sid's gaze traveled from him to me. "I'll meet you down there." He headed for the stairs as I followed the Centaur to the elevator.

Once the doors slid closed behind Emmanuel and me, he said, "I can pledge Centaurs to your cause. Many are upset by the direction things are heading with the Empire."

I stared at him. "Talk to my brother."

He raised a substantial brow. "There are those that are destined to lead. And those that lift them to that position. Tyrez may stand ready to lead that new Empire, but the sword has selected you to get him there."

I'd had enough of what this sword did or did not wish to have happen, and said as much.

Emmanuel's response was, disconcertingly, a deep, booming guffaw. "When both Fate and Destiny decide to screw with you, you would be wise to go with the flow. And you, my friend, are most definitely screwed."

The door opened, and I escaped through the foyer. But Breana's mental laughter tickled through me, along with, Very well said.

I ground my teeth together and stalked through the rear entrance with the Centaur clopping after me. Sid waited for us on the rear stairs, with Adilyn flitting around his head.

Darkness had fallen, and the moons rose in a cloudless sky. A few late students played a ball game in the back field, but they paid us little attention as we headed through the fence and along the path to the gate.

Where we waited for Cara.

When the Watcher appeared, she wasn't alone. A big man walked with her. He had the long, flowing hair of a Bellati, but was more muscular. And the power zinging off him made all my body hair stand on end.

I knew him, but it took a moment for the memories to cough up a name—Nikolai.

"The Perditor," breathed Emmanuel.

Cara stopped before us and made introductions.

"Hello, Razir," Nikolai said.

I nodded a greeting, uncomfortable with my lack of connection. But Sid said, "I'm honored to meet you, Sir."

Nikolai arched a brow. "Don't be. I'm not the safest person to hang with." He dipped his chin to the hovering Faerie. "Hello."

"Hello." Her voice squeaked.

Never thought I'd see her intimidated, Bree said.

I don't blame her. With that energy—he's one scary dude.

Cara raised her hands to the gate. When the dancing light settled, she took us through to the cliff overlooking the ocean.

It might have been dark when we left the academy, but here, the sun was just sinking below the horizon, painting the ocean with vivid color.

The Matriarch and my brother awaited us. They weren't alone. Dani and Ganit were with them.

Tyrez looked much improved. More his old self. I just hoped we could keep him that way.

The wicked wind gusted, whipping their long locks around their faces.

It's unfair how Dragon hair never tangles, Breana protested.

Gets in your eyes, though, I commented. Glad I don't have that issue.

I wasn't prepared for my mother to embrace me. Then she stood back and looked deeply into my eyes.

Images flashed across my brain, so fast I couldn't follow them all. But when she smiled, I realized I was smiling, too.

"You remember," she breathed.

"Bits and pieces," I admitted. "But some, yes."

"Mykal told me you remembered him." Her eyes were liquid with tears.

"Have your wings emerged again?" Ganit asked.

I rubbed a hand over my face. "It isn't an experience I want to repeat."

"Mandy said he shook a few things loose," Cara stated. "Whether it will be repeated is still unknown."

I had my doubts. I'd been pretty motivated. Hoped not to be in that state again anytime soon.

My stomach clenched.

I'm okay, Breana hurried to reassure. Stop worrying.

Cara looked up at Emmanuel. "Nikolai is going to be doing some construction. But we will need finishing carpenters and stonemasons to complete what he starts."

I looked around us. The plateau on top of the cliffs was stark—we'd need a lot more than just that, if Cara was planning to build something here.

The Centaur merely said, "I will return to the colony and bring them, along with supplies."

She handed him a crystal from her pocket. "This will get you back here. Guard it with your life. It would be best if those coming to help stayed here until they are finished."

"Understood," Emmanuel rumbled, and followed her back to the gateway. She cycled him through and then returned.

Cara spun to Nikolai. "Let's get started," she said. "Tyrez can guide you as to what is required."

"I have studied the palace plans, as well as the Legion training facility," Nikolai stated. "I know what is required."

I looked from him to Tyrez.

What are they up to? Breana asked.

"I can help move things," Dani offered. "Just tell me what to do."

The Perditor walked right to the edge of the cliff and faced out toward the ocean. Then he closed his eyes and raised his hands.

I sensed a shift in the power around him, at first subtle—but then I felt a surge that rippled over my skin. My shoulders itched as though my wings were going to burst through—and I saw both Ganit and Tyrez roll theirs, as if they experienced the same thing.

The ocean bubbled and tossed, and below the dark waves, something molten moved toward the surface. It broke free with a hiss of roiling steam. My jaw dropped as Nikolai used the molten rock to build an island .

Not just an island. I witnessed each layer as he structured it, creating a central ramp system, and building halls out from it. He built larger public access rooms as well as smaller, private suites.

"Fucking hell," Sid breathed.

I didn't think the Anisau was the type to swear, but I was right with him this time. That a single individual could possess so much raw power was terrifying. And I sensed how difficult the maelstrom deep below was to control—it seethed and pushed and struggled to break free.

As Nikolai built us quarters suitable for training an army, Cara moved close enough to lay a hand on his arm. Her warm energy swirled into him as the structure rose from the churning ocean, providing an anchor against the chaos.

Meanwhile, Tyrez provided suggestions, and Dani moved boulders the size of small houses to buffer the crashing ocean waves at the base.

A small hand closed around my elbow. I looked down upon the face of my mother, who watched with rapt attention.

"Maybe this won't be necessary," I stated with an undercurrent of desperation.

Her wise gaze captured mine. "We can hope. But from what the Oracle has foreseen—Dragon will fight Dragon. It is just a matter of to what degree."

Dragon will fight Dragon. My gut twisted, and I looked over into Ganit's scarred face.

"I need you to come with me," he said.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"To gather lightning." He started walking. "And like it or not, you are the eye of this particular storm."

I shot a somewhat frustrated glance at Cara, and I couldn't read the expression on her face.

"Go, Razir," she said. "This is your piece of this. Yours, and the sword's."

I gritted my teeth and followed Ganit to the gateway. He brought us through to a realm already in pitch darkness—we'd emerged into a forest near the Satyr's home.

In the heart of the Empire.

A group waited for us—Dragon shifters in human form, with packs slung over their backs. Their eyes glowed metallic in the darkness.

One approached Ganit. "This is as many as I could safely kick loose for the first group," he said. "They won't be missed right away, as these guys are having downtime until they accept their new assignments. But with each group, it will get dicier."

Ganit nodded. "Well done." He turned to me. "The first of our new army."

I looked them over. They stared at me with an aura of expectation.

They need a leader, Caliel's words dropped into my mind. Show them the sword.

I swallowed. I had so not wanted this.

The only thing certain about the future, he continued, is the fact that sword has surfaced for a reason.

Show it to them, Riggs, Breana whispered.

It isn't Riggs who will wield it, I answered them. It is Razir. And I drew the sword, holding it above my head. It lit the small clearing as though it were day. The light and energy engulfed all of them, as well as me.

My wings sprang free from my shoulders, arching above me. This time, buoyed by the sword, it didn't hurt. Not at all.

Their eyes widened, and then, almost as a unit, they kneeled before it.

Before me .

I hadn't wanted this. But I would play the part Fate had dictated for me. For my brother. And for the Empire.

Because regardless of how things played out, my aching heart believed Cara.

We were headed for a Dragon war.