Page 133 of Wings of Destruction

I blink away Harbi’s unwelcome observation. “She has the skills to succeed. She was given an invitation to attend DragonSpear anyway, and might have made an undeniable asset to the student body if we hadn’t torched her village.”

Harbi pushes off the desk silently. “Yet circumstances are not different. Are they? She is the loser in this battle and now she is off to the mines. She’s brought it on herself.”

It feels like the blade is back against my throat and seconds away from sinking in deep. I have to win at this. Even if I’m up against those impossible odds, there is only victory.

Roman had made sure those lessons were carved into my bones. Never yield and never back down.

My mother paid with her life when I disobeyed.

“DragonSpear is made up of students who are taught to have an open mind. We applaud students who forge their own path, who shirk the way things are done.” My lips thin. “Why is she any different from anyone else?”

“It seems to me you’re settling in for an argument.” Harbi wraps both hands around the neck of her staff. Her eyes search my face. “Are you trying to wear me down? Change my mind?”

“If that’s what it takes to make sure the girl is trained.” My fingers clench together.

I plead her case, watching Harbi’s nose wrinkle, aching for water. My eyes burn through the discussion and I’m as even keeled as I know how to be. The bleeding on my lip slowly dries and I wince at a bruise in my chest that twinges whenever I shift.

She must be considering my case, if she’s silent. If Harbi had already made up her mind, I’d be kicked out of the office in an instant.

She holds up a hand to stop me midstream. “Before you speak further on her latent abilities, let me stop you.”

I hold my breath.

“Let’s say you’re correct and she’s gifted. Let’s say I’m inclined to agree with you.” My heart soars. “I’ll let her stay and train but only if you put your honor on the line for her. It’s a fair trade.”

I swallow hard, my mouth sour and ashy and my throat tight. “Meaning?”

“If she fails, you fail,” Harbi says simply. “If Morgan is kicked out, then you will be as well. Her grades, her scores, are yours. If she is damned to the pit… you will be as well.”

And I already couldn’t let my own studies fall. The twisting beast in my chest thrashes and I pace to work through the frenetic energy in my veins.

“So I give you this choice, Kieran. What are you going to do about it?”

There’s no time to consider it. Morgan is outside with no one to watch her. If she slips those ropes then any deal I broker today is entirely moot. She’ll doom herself further than she’s already done.

“Are you doing this to test me?” I ask. “Or to get me out of your school because of my father?”

The questions air and I immediately regret them. I regret the pacing I’ve fought against this entire meeting, when I gave the facts and my opinions without emotion.

Harbi’s smile is cold and doesn’t reach her eyes. She also doesn’t bother giving me an answer.

I know well the kind of beef she has with Roman because everyone who knows him beyond his cultivated public persona has a problem with him. Harbi got to see Roman in his adolescence when they were no older than me, or Morgan.

I try to imagine those two at our age and fall short.

“Take your time considering this, Mr. Ryson,” Harbi pushes. “The choice is entirely on your shoulders.”

I know it. It comes down to this: I let the girl go to the mines, or worse, if Evie has her way, and I know she will. Or I put everything I’ve been working for at risk for a girl I do not know.

She has raw potential. I see it in her.

Do I risk everything for a virtual stranger or sacrifice her life for a chance at my cause? Sweat plasters my leathers to my skin.

I open my mouth and give Harbi my answer, hoping I don’t regret it.

Twenty-Eight

Morgan