Page 24 of Tears of Gold

“A war is a different story, Skye, especially when waged in the name of the Five Claws.”

He’s right. Sooner or later, the royal family will recall Erritt to the palace, and our academy days will be nothing but a dream. The emperor has all the ammunition to start a third dragon purge in the name of putting down the Davina resistance. I always assumed I’d die before my years were due, but now I have Ava to think of.

I flex my claws in and out of the dirt. “I know. But I don’t see a reason to go into hiding. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Well, that’s not entirely true. My existence is illegal. Plus, I fraternize with the elemental prince, but even that is a dream come true. Erritt is my best friend, and now much more, thanks to the lifeline Ava’s become to us. Erritt and I have barely begun to explore what we can be together.

Mr Katen exhales deeply. “I understand. But there are some powers I cannot fight.”

“I’ll do my best not to endanger De Tuan.”

He slaps my haunch good-naturedly. “You’re a good student with what little is permitted you.” The chancellor rubs his graying beard. “I’m sure a fellow like you is smart enough to stay clear of those who voice their discontent, even if there may be some truth to their claims.”

I growl, snaking my head around to face him. “Don’t you dare suspect me of having any dealings with them! The fools are condemning dragon-kind!”

He hums. “Do you think anyone else would dare claim the name of the Five Claws?”

A deep rumble rattles in my chest. “The dragons are easy scapegoats at this point.”

I don’t want to admit it, but there’s a possibility he’s right, even though my instinct is to deny it. Who else would cite old dragon lore from the Age of Silence? The only ones who should know it are the dragons and the elemental historians. My heartbeat pounds in my ears as I watch cloud wisps float across the stars.

Could the emperor have created the Davinas himself to finally exterminate us, or are dragons really involved in the uprising? Even Mr Katen agrees it would be justifiable after years of persecution and genocide.

Either option spells the end of my species on Exerin-Mi.

Water seeps into my footprint in the ground, creating a small pool reflecting the lantern's warm gold light and the stars overhead. I stare down at them, my breath faintly disturbing the water's surface.

Dragon tears—that’s what my Gran called the leaking groundwater when I’m distressed. Tonight, they seem sheened in gold from the headmaster’s lamp.

He watches me, tawny eyes glinting in the gloom with traces of his haechi power. “I just want you to consider what decisions lie ahead.”

I snort. I know what he’s saying. If there’s any chance my clan’s involved, I’ll have to choose between them and the life I’ve tried to build for myself.

The life that’s a lie.

“They never contact me,” I murmur. Since the Royal Guard murdered Gran during the last purge, I’ve been alone, the scattered remnants of the clan keeping out of sight.

A dinging sound trills from his pocket, and he digs out his pager. “Apologies, I thought I put that on silent. I’ll turn it off now.” He glances at his screen, eyes widening so the whites reflect the moonbeams. “What’s this?” A broken whimper slides free from his throat. “Davinas have bombed the capital city again.”

I lurch to my feet, my mind filling with thoughts of Ava lying in a wreath of flame.

Mr Katen presses his hand to my chest. “You cannot go! They’ll be hunting the Davinas and looking for anyone related. A dragon in the capital will be an instant target.”

A high-pitched whine slips between my bared teeth. Without the ability to fly, I wouldn’t make it anyway. Ava has Erritt, Rita, and Harper with her, plus the Elite elemental; I’ll have to trust they will keep her safe. That’s assuming Erritt keeps out of reach of the monster he calls brother.

Cold sweat trickles through the roots of my mane.

Chapter Ten

Ava

After Erritt and Vanrey leave, we veer off from the central plaza to watch some street theater. Colorful monsters with a mishmash of animal body parts dance on stage, followed by the tale of a beautiful woman who turned into a fox and devoured the livers of those who were kind to her. It’s not a feel-good tale, but the acting is superb, and the familiar storyline reminds me that Earth and Exerin-Mi exchanged cultural capital at some point in the past.

As I applaud the end of the skit, my arm brushes against Harper’s, but he doesn’t move away or even look at me. My skin tingles from the contact, and warmth fizzes in my belly. I chew on my lip. Truth be told, I crave more touch, but I find Harper hard to read. I get the feeling he likes me because he’s been watching me all evening, but he’s not being pushy. Is it because he’s shy or because he’s being careful of my memory loss?

We turn to go, following Rita, who chatters about the waterfront's beauty and the plaza's history. Her face lights up with enthusiasm, a rare insight into a woman who usually acts disgusted with the world in general. One thing’s for sure; she loves her country. Or I should say her planet.

A world I don’t belong in.