Page 116 of Tailwind

‘That was incredible!’ I shoved my faceplate up, eyes wide as I admired him like it was the first time I’d seen a dragon up close.

He looked down at me, imperious as ever. I heard the rumbling in his chest though, as loud as he was big. His tail was high as he wafted it from side to side. Yes, the older dragons may have had more complex personalities, but I knew pride when I saw it.

‘He’s not going to forget this.’ Bach landed and dismounted next to us. He took off his helmet and gave Aloux some pats of thanks. ‘He’ll be lording it over the others for years.’

The initial burst of frustration when he’d been tagged was long gone, replaced by a smile instead. There was a dusty spot of chalk on his left shoulder. It buoyed me – impressive since I didn’t think I could get much happier.

‘So he should.’ I reached up to scratch the underside of Surquet’s chin. ‘The first one to help the student catch the master.’

‘You’ve come a long way too.’ Bach tugged off his gloves, stuffing them into his helmet. ‘That wasn’t a strategy you’d have tried when you first arrived.’

He was right. A lot had changed since then. Both my skills and my perspective were different.

‘Thank you, Bach. Everything is … well, you didn’t have to do all this, but you did. I appreciate it.’ It didn’t quite sum up the depth of my gratitude, but it would have to do. I would never be able to explain how he had truly helped. Not just in training me, but in all the years he’d given me something to dream of.

Of course, being Bach Lotiere, he shrugged it off.

‘I can give you the means to practise and some advice, but it takes your hard work to make it happen.’ He began to lead Aloux back inside, calling over his shoulder. ‘I’m proud of how well you’re doing, Lena. I hope you are too.’

The heavy humidity of the jungle felt lighter, like a fresh breeze had made it through from the coast. Even wearing the sweaty augment-laden flight suit couldn’t stop my body from feeling weightless. I coughed away the lump in my throat and scrubbed at my eyes.

Surquet honked.

‘Yeah,’ I said, my voice hoarse. ‘I’m sure he’s proud of you too.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

‘Mister Vaspre is expecting you. Please follow me.’ A server dressed in all white collected me from the club entrance and led me up some stairs to a mezzanine that overlooked the dance floor.

The bass of the music reverberated through me so heavily that I could barely feel myself thank her. I wasn’t there to talk though, I was there to be seen.

I arrived on the glorified balcony, spotting Theo immediately. He lounged on the railing, surveying the people below. He had slim fitted trousers on, with a loose black shirt tucked into the front. The way he leaned made his shoulders flex, making the shirt fabric taut across his back.

Somehow the simple look was made better with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and just the right amount of buttons undone, showing off a single silver chain that hung around his neck and reflected the frantic lights.

Theo looked up, noticing me right away like he had organic proximity sensors just for me. The way his corded arm flexed as he reached up to push his hair back sent my eyes trailing along him.

I’d have been flattered at his effort to look so good if it weren’t all for show. Still, it was the proof I needed to deal with my frustration problem sooner rather than later.

He looked me over, starting from my feet and dragged his eyes up my body, judging my own attempt at dressing-up. A strange sensation went up my spine. His eyes locked with mine as they reached my face, holding there.

I shouldered my way through the light crowd.

‘What, never seen a dress before? You picked it out.’ I refused to let him make me feel self-conscious when he was the one to insist I dress up for the night, all to grab the attention of sponsors.

My shoulders were feeling especially bare without clothes to cover them. The ‘H’ dress started under my collarbones and hugged my body until my hips, where it flared out into a skirt. Paired with the thick heeled boots that were miraculously comfortable, it looked great. I looked great. The price tag was almost worth it.

‘Turns out even turds can shine when polished.’ He was in a good mood then. Not surprising given the night ahead was a perfect way for his ego to be stroked.

‘That’s the spirit. You look way less ugly with the new haircut.’

The length had gone from past his ears to cropped short around the sides while keeping the thick curls on top. He looked less like the teenage Theo I’d known, replaced by a sharper version. A more expensive version.

He smirked at me. He hadn’t needed that compliment, as backhanded as it was. Theo knew he looked good. He revelled in it.

He slung an arm around me. The warmth of his bare forearm took over my shoulders as he pulled me in.

‘Really though, Paldon, I can see you made an effort. You could have shown up in your keeper overalls, but you chose not to. The people you’re out to impress tonight will notice, I’m sure.’ He was enjoying being a patronizing bastard. ‘I’ll be kind and not give you a score, as I imagine Josie’s been doing enough of that.’