38. Bree

38

Bree

We returned to the Talon Complex, but only to drop off the Matriarch. Cara seemed determined to waste no time getting the academy on board.

Lady Eriana embraced Riggs, and when she stepped back, her eyes were bright.

"You are who you've always been, Razir," she said. "And I am proud of you."

Razir, the Dragon prince. Bearer of Excalibur. But to me, he'd always be Riggs.

I prefer to be Riggs, he stated as his mother and Ganit headed along the causeway. He has way more fun. And his mind provided some rather raunchy examples of the kind of fun he preferred.

With a "crack" of wind against wing, an enormous turquoise Dragon landed near us. Tyrez writhed his way to human.

"Ah, Leonardo," sighed Riggs. "You should have been there. Their faces when they saw the Matriarch…"

Tyrez snorted as his muzzle changed into a human face. "Yeah. I had Ash's head spinning like a top, trying to see and hear everything."

Ash stepped close to his mate. "I have seen a timeline where Amadeus is an idiot and insists you be detained, but it was only one. I think you are safe to go with them to the academy."

"Good to know," Tyrez said with a smile. He rested a big hand on Ash's shoulder and squeezed. "I'll be back soon." He then turned to Cara. "Let's get this show on the road."

As Cara redirected the gateway, Riggs folded his hand around mine. I should have been swaying with exhaustion, but instead, I was exhilarated. We stood on the precipice of a historical moment—the Cryptid Council was finally stepping forward to address the threat that the underworld represented.

We think Daize is still closeted with Victor, Tez unexpectedly announced. Caliel's pictures have caused quite a stir. Just wait until they hear about this.

My stomach clenched. It will mean war.

From what I've seen, Tez offered, the realms are already immersed in a war. It's just that now, they will have someone to fight for them.

He's not wrong, Riggs stated grudgingly.

The gateway fluoresced into being, and his hand tightened on mine as we followed Cara through.

We emerged into the meadow. It seemed like an eternity since I'd last been at the academy. It was lunchtime. Students milled about on the beach and in front of the building.

A huge form broke away and loped toward us. Sid's face split into an Anisau-sized smile. I found myself swept up in his enormous arms.

"Bree!" he exclaimed. "I'm so happy to see you!"

I laughed as he put me down, and Adilyn shimmered to her full-sized form. To my shock, she embraced me too. "We were so worried about you."

The Anisau eyed Riggs, who stood with the sword on his back and was clothed, now, in his scales. "I take it your secret is out?" he said.

"About to be," Cara interrupted. "Amadeus will be gathering everyone in the Coliseum for the announcement."

"We're about due to go in, anyway." Sid raised a brow. "I take it our Subterfuge and Infiltration Class will be particularly stimulating today?"

Cara smiled at him. "Don't think you'll want to miss it," she said. "I'm off to coordinate with Amadeus. Tyrez, you can come with me."

"Have fun with that," Riggs commented.

She cast him a smile, and they hurried off. Before Sid, Adilyn, and I could go more than ten feet along the path, a curvy and slightly damp form flung herself at me.

"Bree!" Leah hugged me so hard I almost couldn't breathe. I was glad I was still wearing my cloak over the clothes Cara had dug up for me—it effectively shed the water.

Nar leered over her shoulder. "It's been rather boring here without you two," he stated as we resumed our walk. "And not for my usual reasons."

Something about him was off—and as we walked along the path, I realized it wasn't him so much as Leah. She avoided him, and when he moved to close the gap, she moved away.

Had they had a fight? I'd never seen them have so much as a mild disagreement. But now, the glance Leah shot Nar was disconcerting. Not anger. More anguished than that.

"You guys okay?" I leaned close to ask Leah.

"What? Oh, yeah. We're just having an argument." She shot Nar a look. He glanced at her, and then away again.

I didn't entirely trust that guy at the academy. Tez sounded uneasy.

Why not? I asked. Tez hadn't been there long.

Pretty sure he was stealing, Tez stated .

I ran into a tribe of Sea Krayts while on a mission once, Riggs interjected. They were running a smuggling ring. Apparently, they are often quick to take advantage of an opportunity.

I wondered what Nar had done, to have his mate put him at arm's length. Now the Sea Krayt eyed Riggs with interest.

"You seem to have conquered your Dragon," he stated.

"Yes," was all Riggs would tell him.

We garnered more than our fair share of attention as we entered the building. I guessed everyone had known of my kidnapping. Plus, there was the fact that Riggs wasn't supposed to be a Dragon.

Surprise! he said. But I'm not a Dragon, yet.

You will be, I assured him.

By the time we took our seats in the Coliseum, the place was in an uproar. Students stood in groups, hands waving in excitement. I understood when I spotted the photos being freely circulated.

Cara, Tyrez, and Amadeus appeared near the podium. The Watcher gestured to Riggs as we prepared to take our seats with the Dragon team.

Go ahead, I said to him. You don't need me.

He extended his hand. I always need yo u.

Smooth, offered Tez, who never seemed to be far away.

Don't you have something else to do? groused Riggs as we headed down to the podium.

I'm multitasking, Tez stated.

When we stepped up to the podium, the tumult increased. Until Cara held up her hands for silence, and it spread from those sitting closest to the ones just coming in through the doors.

Within moments, students and instructors alike were seated, their gazes fastened on Cara. Once she had their attention, she yielded the podium to the headmaster.

Amadeus looked out over the students. I wondered how many could detect the subtle tremor in his hands. He'd just become headmaster of far more than he'd originally agreed to.

"Most of you have heard the rumors and seen the photos that have been circulated," he said. "I am here to tell you that what you've heard is the truth." And he went on to describe what Daize had done, including his collusion with the underlord, and Mykal's abduction.

Gasps and whispers echoed throughout the room as Amadeus continued.

"The photos speak to this atrocity. The acquisition of such proof has galvanized the Cryptid Council to embrace a new future. It is one that they had intended to work toward, but current events have created an opportunity to move up the timetable."

He paused to draw a deep breath. "The academy will be expanding with a new component designed to add muscle to our work. The Talons will be an elite group of trained fighters. They will work in harmony with the Shade's infiltration and investigation roles."

Tyrez stepped forward, and Amadeus yielded to him. "Some of you are surely thinking that there are not enough of us to form a fighting unit," rumbled the Dragon shifter. "And you would be right. But the Dragon Matriarch has agreed to contribute Dragons to the effort. They will report to the academy and the council, not the Empire."

Amadeus leaned in to add the final bit. "You will be asked to make a choice as to which branch of the academy you would like to join. Some of you, most notably the shifters, contribute a purely physical aspect to our work, and would be ideally suited to the Talon forces, but the choice is up to you. We will be debating the training regimen over the next few weeks, but we envision that Shades and Talons will continue to have many of their classes together." He cast his gaze across the students, and then nodded to Cara, who came forward.

She gestured to Riggs. "I have more news for you. You know Riggs as a fellow student—but he is, in reality, Razir, son of the now deceased Emperor and brother to Tyrez." There was a moment of shocked silence, and then the students erupted in excited conversation.

Cara leaned closer to Riggs. "Draw the sword," she whispered.

I sensed his reluctance, but he pulled it free. The glow, and the dancing runes, silenced the entire room.

Cara spoke into the silence. "Some of you may have heard about this sword—it has many names. Probably the most famous of them is Excalibur. It has, traditionally, selected a bearer when major changes are on the horizon. So as academy students, you have an opportunity to be in on something truly important."

Riggs sheathed the sword, and she paused to take a breath before continuing. "Currently, the situation with the Dragon Empire is highly unstable. There is a chance that the academy students will be called upon to help resolve it. We are calling teams Phoenix and Centaur to the Talon Complex as their skills are uniquely suited to assist with this effort. The remainder of you will continue your training here, and we will give you regular updates."

The Watcher gestured to Tyrez. "Over the next week or so, we will be speaking with each of you to see where your preferences and particular talents may lie. If you already know, feel free to contact Tyrez."

She yielded to the headmaster, who said. "I am suspending this afternoon's class and the evening activities so that each student can consider their options. Once you have chosen, we may be reorganizing some of the teams. Please take the next few hours to ask whatever questions you may have. The instructors will do their best to answer them."

The room dissolved in noise as students rose and formed small groups. A surprising number, mostly Dires, lined up in front of Tyrez.

"We have something to say."

Riggs and I turned to see Sid standing near us with the rest of Team Dragon. He bowed slightly to the Watcher, as well. "I know you mentioned that you are taking two teams with you to this new Talon Complex, but we would like to be included. I realize our team is inexperienced compared to those other two. But I believe our skills are a closer match to the Talon endeavor, and Riggs and Bree are part of our team."

Cara looked from the Anisau to the Faerie, and then also to Leah and Nar. She stared at Nar for a long moment. Then she said, "Gather up your gear, and you can accompany us when we return."

Sid, Adilyn, and Leah looked pleased as they hurried off. Leah went with Adilyn and Sid, leaving Nar standing there. The Sea Krayt cast a long glance back over his shoulder at us before following.

Riggs reached out to take my hand. I almost lost my birth family, he said. But it seems I have acquired another.

My heart was full as I met his eyes. All I've ever wanted was a family. I've waited a long time, and now I have one.

You know what they say, Tez interrupted.

What do they say? Riggs asked in resignation.

You can't pick your family. Tez's mindvoice started light, but I sensed the tone change as he added, And they say something else.

What? I asked.

There is always one black sheep.

What does that mean—and what's a sheep? I asked.

A sheep is a human-world animal that is usually white, but occasionally another color. It means that there is always one that is trouble, Riggs provided. He was staring after Nar .

Someone has been feeding information to the bastards here, Tez commented. You guys might have a mole.

A what? I was getting tired of the obscure zoological references.

He means someone here is feeding Victor information. Riggs suddenly sounded tense.

No way anyone here would do that! I protested. There is something going on between Nar and Leah, but considering everything else that's up in the air, I say we let them sort it out themselves.

Pretty sure he's a thief, Tez announced.

Isn't there a human saying about pots and kettles? Riggs stated.

Tez snorted through the link. Let's just say it takes one to know one.

They are team, Riggs said firmly. And according to Cara, Nar hasn't had the easiest life. I don't want to suspect him just because he's been stealing things.

I didn't want to think about Nar betraying us. I'd given up on those I'd once considered brothers and more, but I'd grown closer to the team and Riggs's family than I'd ever been to them. And for that, I was grateful. I think I am a very lucky ex-Centaur.

Tez hesitated before he said, The only family I ever knew was nothing but trouble. Another pause, before he added, And I miss her more than I wish to admit.

A quick pulse of grief through the link, and then, he was gone. Riggs met my eye. Seems we're all looking to belong to something bigger.

He adjusted the scabbard across his shoulders, before adding, And with the way things are going, we are sure to get our wish.

Team Dragon arrived at the Talon Complex amid extensive renovations.

Nikolai stood on the very edge of the gateway cliff, with his hands outstretched. On one side of him was the gorgeous red-scaled Dragona, Aria. On the other was a slim young man clad in dark scales. Both had a hold of his arms as he pulled magma from beneath the sea to expand the complex.

With them was the Mover, Dani. She was hauling rocks from the seabed to shore up the islands and causeways, protecting them from the massive waves.

The Perditor was partway through creating a second island. As Cara moved to assist them, Sid exhaled. "Is he?—"

"Yes, he's building them," I answered, pushing my hair out of my face. I'd used Tez's grandmother's hairpins, but the wind here was fierce enough to wrench the locks loose. Adilyn was in Faerie form, clinging to Sid's long hair. The Anisau held her log home beneath one arm.

The Centaur weaponsmith, Emmanuel, approached Riggs and Tyrez—he had his sword strapped across his back.

He bowed to both Dragons. When he straightened, he said, "There are many more Centaurs who are keen to join the Talons' efforts to drive back the underworld. I will gather them, and send them here."

"Thank you, Emmanuel," Tyrez rumbled.

The Centaur's dark gaze moved to me. "I am pleased to see you again, Bree."

Considering I'd stolen the children from his colony, it was an olive branch, or more like the whole damned grove. Taken aback, I managed, "It is good to be home."

The word slipped out, but the truth of it resonated through me. The academy, and now this place—I belonged here.

As the Centaur trotted toward the gate, we followed Tyrez along the causeway. Nar seemed beyond excited as he stared down into the tumultuous ocean. "I can't wait to get in there," he told me when he caught my eye.

"These oceans have more than their fair share of toothy predators," Tyrez warned him. "I would tread with care."

Nar grinned, revealing teeth growing sharp. "I'll fit right in." He reached for Leah. "You, my love, might be a juicy morsel. You'll have to stick close to me."

She nimbly avoided his grasp, but cast a glance to me. "I'll sing them to sleep," she said.

I focused my eyes on Tyrez's broad back as he guided us along the causeway. "We're housing the teams on the first island," he explained. "The new ones will take time to finish properly."

"New ones? As in plural?" Riggs asked.

Tyrez nodded. "He's building three." He glanced at Riggs. "We have quarters for you and Bree on the upper level of the first one."

Riggs's stride hitched. "Aren't we living with the rest of the team?"

Tyrez twitched a brow. "You have more spacious accommodations with the family," he said. "But it's your choice. The team quarters are set up for six members, so there is room."

Riggs exchanged a look with me. It's your call, I sent. But they are more than just a team.

"We are Team Dragon," he told his brother. "We'll stay with them. Give my quarters to another."

Tyrez nodded, and I couldn't read his expression, but I got the impression he was pleased. I took Riggs's hand as we entered the island, and his fingers squeezed mine.

"When you have to listen to Leah moaning all night, you may regret that choice, my friend," Sid offered with a smile.

"At least I don't howl and shred things," Leah responded easily. "If I were to do a little moaning, you'd just have to deal with it." She cast Nar a less-than-inviting look. "I am, however, currently not so inclined."

Nar looked away.

"Sid doesn't howl and shred with me around," Adilyn piped as she fluttered over our heads.

"I'm a Faerie-whipped Anisau now," Sid conceded with a grin.

Tyrez led us along a hall that now featured well-framed doorways. "These are the team quarters," he said. "The finished ones are at the end. The ones to the right have landing ledges." He studiously refused to look at Riggs.

I sensed Riggs hesitate, but I led him into the first finished one on the right, and the rest of the team followed.

The ledge itself was at the far end of the main living area, and currently closed off with a sliding door. On each side of it, large glazed windows let in the natural light.

We walked past a compact kitchen and through an expansive room—currently furnished with an old couch and a couple of padded chairs—to stare out at the roiling clouds above. From there, we saw that the ledge wasn't simply a ledge.

Tyrez explained. "We had to have Nikolai tweak the design, because the wind here would decimate the living area when it is opened. So there is an extra partition that helps to block it."

Riggs looked out over the whitecaps far below, and then his gaze rose to the sky. I may never need it, he said.

You will, I assured him.

"There are six rooms, but as you are all mated pairs, you can use the extra space as you like. The furniture is rather primitive right now, but we have upgrades on the way." He shot Riggs a look. "We'll send down what you want from your suite upstairs."

He pointed to the door just off the hall servicing the rooms. "There are showers in the suite, but bathing pools exist on the lower levels."

As Riggs's hand tightened on mine, Tyrez continued.

"You will live here and receive part of your training at this complex, but once we complete our initial mission, you will also be attending classes at the academy."

"Our initial mission?" Nar asked. "What mission is that?"

Riggs rumbled from beside me, a wordless expression of the emotions roiling within him.

"We're going after Victor," he said, "and in the process, we are going to rescue my son."

"How in the realms are we going to do that?" Nar asked. "If we go after that underlord, we'll need more than we've got."

Leah shot him a dark look. But Sid rumbled, "Not if you have someone on the inside."

For just a second, Nar hesitated, before the Sea Krayt turned away to scope out the rooms. As Leah watched him with a troubled expression, Riggs led me out onto the ledge.

The wind tossed the ocean far below and riffled through my long hair. Riggs reached to push it off my face.

"Welcome home," he said, and bent to kiss me.