7. Adrianna

7

ADRIANNA

" D on't you think it's a bit late for Fairbourne to be requesting a meeting?" Brody asks, scrubbing a hand over his chin as he glances at the four of us. The early morning sun does little to offer us any peace, despite the storm last night, but it does give us the opportunity for a fresh start and a clearer mind. It doesn't, however, allow for any answers to surface, which means there's still a chance we're going to be blindsided.

Again.

"It was more like a demand," Raiden grunts, his jaw tight despite the rest of him appearing unfazed. I'm not sure whether he's just not a morning person or if he was keen to dip his dick in the honey jar, but either way, he's in a bad mood.

Eager to keep everyone focused, I take a step ahead. "I don't know what Fairbourne wants, but showing up works in our favor."

"How do you figure?" Cassian asks, just as irked as Raiden.

"If we stay hidden, we won't know what he wants, and not knowing what he wants only hinders us. If we're going to figure any of this out then we're going to need all the information we can get our hands on."

"Figure what out?" Kryll asks, and I scoff. If that isn't the million-dollar question, then I don't know what is.

"Fuck if I know, but this shit all has to end, right?" I shrug. It's more of an attempt to shake off the uncertainty that clings to me, but if the guys notice, no one says anything.

"That's right, Dagger. The five of us together," Brody sings, throwing his hands out to gesture at everyone as we cut across campus. He earns an eye roll or two from the others, but it makes my chest warm and a smile creeps across my face.

It's strange to think I don't have to face the mountain that is life alone anymore, but I can't deny how much I like it. They may just be simple words, but there's no denying that they instill a strength in me like I've never felt before.

All too quickly, we're taking the hallways through the main academy building, beelining for Fairbourne's office. I've turned it over in my mind a million times since the knock came at Raiden's door, but for the life of me I can't figure out what Fairbourne may want.

He's aware of everything that's happened, and my father said I can trust him with my life, but his actions have yet to prove that. Before a miraculous answer comes to mind, Fairbourne's office door looms just ahead of us. My steps slow, but Raiden's quicken, hand poised against the wood, ready to knock as he peers back at me.

"Ready?"

"Yeah," I answer, not entirely sure, but standing here without any answers won't get me anywhere.

He nods in response, but before he knocks, he turns his attention to Cassian. "No shit from you." Cassian's eyes narrow as Raiden raps his knuckles against the door.

"Shit from me? For what?"

"You're hotheaded," he retorts with a shrug, and I huff a laugh. It's so amusing to me that he's the one saying that of all people.

"And—" Cassian's response is cut short as the door swings open, revealing Professor Fairbourne on the other side.

He looks from Raiden to Cassian, to Brody, then Kryll, before he settles on me, his eyes narrowing with every pass.

Clearing his throat, he adjusts his suit jacket. "Adrianna, I expected you to come alone."

"You expected wrong," Cassian snarls, hands balling into fists immediately, and Raiden whirls around to him without missing a beat.

"We haven't even gotten in there and you've already started," he barks, a pointed look etched into his features. Brody tries to hide his amusement behind his hand but fails miserably when his chuckle rings through the air.

All I can do is gape at them in a mixture of surprise and amusement, leaving Kryll to jump in and handle the situation.

"Professor Fairbourne, I'm sure you can understand after last night, we don't believe it's safe for Addi to travel alone. Not with the attack from Kenner being so recent too," he explains in an attempt to smooth over the shitshow that's already unraveling.

Fairbourne drops his gaze for a split second, nodding in understanding as he clears his throat once again. "Of course, of course. But as the head of the fae origins on campus, I can assure you Miss Reagan will be safe in my office. You're more than welcome to wait?—"

"If you think we're waiting anywhere but at her side, you're in for a shock," Cassian gripes, taking a step in Fairbourne's direction.

Desperate for this to not become another scene, I reach for Cassian's arm, squeezing in what I hope is comfort, but could most definitely be anger. "Cass?—"

"Ah, Miss Reagan, there you are."

I spin around in frustration, irritated with another interruption instead of being any closer to getting answers. But when I find Professor Tora, Kryll's brother, marching toward us, my frustration dissolves, curiosity replacing it instantly.

"Here I am?" I ramble, tilting my head as I stare him down, and a second later, Kryll's hand is wrapped around mine.

"Beau?" The question in his brother's name confirms he's not entirely sure what's going on either.

"That's Professor Tora to you," he retorts, pursing his lips at his brother, who shakes his head dismissively.

"You're my brother, and we're not in class."

Tora takes a step toward his brother, ready to continue arguing his point, when Fairbourne reminds us of his presence.

"Can I help you, Professor Tora?"

Kryll's brother plasters a fake smile across his lips as he takes in the leader of the fae origin. "No, not now that I've found who I'm looking for." His answer is clipped, but if Fairbourne notices, he lets it go right over his head.

"Oh, it may have to wait, Professor. We were about to have a meeting."

Beau shakes his head. "I'm afraid it's going to have to wait."

"It can't," Fairbourne states, a tic fluttering in his jaw as his eyes narrow.

"Unfortunately, Professor Fairbourne, my mother waits for no one," Tora offers, his words slow and deliberate, like he's talking to a child, and Fairbourne blusters under his tone.

"The academy is on lockdown," he insists, and Professor Tora simply shrugs, unfazed.

"The ethereal queen is summoning someone; lockdown be damned. Besides, Bozzelli is aware," he adds for good measure, and Fairbourne takes a reluctant step back, his head hanging in defeat for a brief moment before he nods in understanding.

"My misunderstanding. We will meet soon." His eyes are narrowed on mine, waiting for confirmation, which I willingly offer him.

"Sure." There's clearly something going on with him and I'd like to know what that is, but for now, it seems Kryll's mother awaits us. For what? I'm not sure, but once again, waiting here won't get me the answers I'm seeking.

Looking at Kryll, he nods for us to follow his brother, who is already near the far end of the corridor. The door clicks shut behind Fairbourne as we take off after Tora when Raiden steps up to Kryll's side, nudging his arm.

"It appears your call to Mommy worked."

"I never doubted it would," he replies with a shrug that matches his brother's nonchalance.

"Clue me in," I blurt, looking between the four of them, but no one utters a word until we make it outside. Professor Tora waits in the middle of the pathway, but Raiden doesn't seem to mind when he steps up to my side, arm slung around my shoulders as he whispers against my ear.

"He called Mommy for help, so now the Queen of Dragons is answering."

Turning to Kryll, I'm surprised to find his gaze downcast as he scrubs nervously at the back of his neck. I slip out of Raiden's hold as I make my way toward my dragon. It's only when I'm right in front of him that he looks up, worry swirling in his eyes.

"I—"

I press my lips to his, effectively cutting off whatever excuse was going to fall from his mouth. It takes a second for him to catch up, but when he does, his lips are firm against mine, making it even harder for me to pull back. The moment I do, he leans forward, bracing his forehead against mine as I peer into his eyes.

"As long as I get to see Nora and my father, I don't care."

"You don't?"

"No. They'll make me feel whole, and after last night, I need them more than ever."