Page 102 of Maleen

She nods. “Yes. According to the dragons they are here monthly to collect more cadets.”

“What about the dragons?” Kill asks, seeming unbothered by the information, but the white knuckle grip he has on his sword tells a different tale.

Rav clears her throat. “The dragons have been trying to keep away, but the lords have managed to change one or two a month. It’s time for the next part of the plan, but I thought you should know about your fathers in case we should change the plan…”

“They’re dead,” I hiss instantly. “No need to change any part of the plan. They just walked into their end-of-life party, and I’m here to deliver the Fate’s invitation to the void.”

“Agreed,” Killian grumbles. “Let’s wipe those bastards from this realm once and for all.”

OUR DRAGONS GUIDE us down the farthest they can go under the castle until it’s only sized for fae and smaller creatures. They’re going to head back up and wait for our call, and hopefully this all goes smoothly. I definitely feel better that Ravina is now within my grasp.

We carefully climb over rocks and through tight tunnels until the path smooths out into the familiar passages directly under the castle.

Ravina turns to Talyn. “Where would Ashbluff be at this time of night?”

He crosses his arms and tilts his head. “Either in his room or running patrols with the third and fourth years.”

She nods thoughtfully, tilting her head toward Nero. “Once we get up there, I’m going to let you out, and I want you to search the grounds for him. If you don’t find him, we will check his room.”

“I can fly by his room if I know what floor it’s on. Even better, if someone has some parchment, I can drop him a note, telling him to meet us.”

Ember pulls out a parchment and some charcoal and scribbles down the meeting place, keeping it as vague as possible, while Talyn relays the room’s location to Nero. Ember passes the note to Rav who is careful to roll it up so it doesn’t smudge before taking out a spare leather strand, tying it to his leg.

Memories jump to the forefront of my mind. The last time we were in these tunnels felt like another lifetime—stalking my little mouse through these halls, trying to discover her secrets. But she isn’t a mouse anymore. She’s as deadly as any beast in this realm. She’s mine. Ours. And I can’t wait to turn this academy on its head as we take it back for her, out of the hands of the lords. More like traitors playing dress-up.

We weave through the tunnels and up the stairs until we reach the hidden entrance into the castle itself. Killian cracks it open and peers out, making sure the coast is clear before opening wide enough for Nero to fly through.

“Be safe,” she reminds him as Killian shuts the door.

“I always am. Be back before you know it!” he chirps back.

Ravina stares at the door and I can feel her anxiousness creeping through before she says, “I’m going to jump into his mind. I need to know he’s safe. Cover for me?”

“I don’t think anyone is going to find us here,” I remind her. “We’ve got your back.”

She nods and closes her eyes, then smirks. “He feels like he’s being babysat,” she murmurs.

Rozen shakes his head. “Well he would take this as a chance to seek out more eyeballs, especially if he sees Bracken.”

My eye twitches at the fucker’s name. I regret not gutting him when we had the chance. I never liked that dragon turd.

“He’s outside and flying up to the tower; it looks like Ashbluffs light is on,” Rav says.

We all settle into the quiet, waiting for more of Ravina’s updates. “Ashbluff recognized Nero and opened the window. Nero, don’t peck his finger, he needs to read the scroll. Let him have it… Nero,” she warns.

I’m holding in my laughter—he really is the most delightful, murderous creature.

“Okay, he’s read the scroll and is coming to meet us. We are on our way back. I’ll let you know when to open the door.” She pauses. “Cadets are being mobilized outside; Jesper’s and Killian’s fathers are on the podium waiting. This doesn’t look good…”

Aemon grabs her shoulders. “Get back here now Ravina. Don’t let Nero be seen if you can help it.”

“We ducked into an alcove. It may be a moment until it clears,” she whispers, not an ounce of fear in her voice. That’s my mate.

Killian grumbles, “I don’t like this…”

Aemon’s hand reaches up to his shoulder. “Me either Kill, but she’s got this.”

“You know she would kick our ass if we continue to be overbearing assholes,” Talyn adds, watching our mate with adoration, but you can see the tension in his body—he isn’t unaffected by her being in danger either.