Page 100 of House Ignis

Nervous laughter rippled through the room.

Thandros gave a dismissive shrug. “Or, at least, that’s what the surviving records would have us believe.”

A hush settled over the room. No one laughed now.

I knew about the Veyari. Of course we all did. My father used to tell bedtime stories about them—tales of fanged, immortal shapeshifters with red, soulless eyes who drank your blood to drain your power. They were anything but soothing. He'd gather me, Jax, and Ember on stormy nights and spin yarns of predators with eyes like spilled blood and fangs that glistened red under the moonlight. It scared the shit out of me.

Jax? He loved them. He'd stay up reading ancient fables, whispering theories about how maybe—just maybe—they weren't really gone. He believed they existed beyond the monoliths, traversing the night on their Vel'tara wyverns. He used to swear he'd seen one once, a glimpse of vacant eyes glinting in the trees. Ember and I would scream, and he'd laugh like it was the best thing in the world.

I pressed a hand to my chest. Thank the gods they weren't real. Thank the gods we were safe.

•••

By the time the bell rang, I was more than ready to bolt. Unfortunately, next was Potions, which is where I accidentally turned Asher's skin a vibrant, sky blue.

He was not happy about it.

"I swear, if this doesn't come off in twenty minutes, I'm staging a rebellion," he growled, glaring at his hands as if he could shadow-blast the dye from his pores.

I was laughing so hard I nearly dropped a glass beaker. "You look like a cursed blueberry!"

He narrowed his silver eyes and muttered something under his breath—and suddenly, two enormous antlers popped out of my head like I was some sort of woodland beast.

"You look majestic," he said dryly. "Like a forest princess."

"I am going to murder you," I hissed, swatting at the velvet bone. "With the antlers."

By lunch, we'd both returned to our normal selves—mostly—and our usual table was already full. The group immediately pounced before we could even sit down.

"So…" Ezra began, dragging the word out until it snapped.

Sera arched a brow. "The bond?"

"Was it intimate?" Darcy asked, half-hiding behind her teacup but looking far too fascinated.

They were leaning so far over the table they were practically in my lap. Asher, ever the gentleman, offered only a charming, impenetrable smile.

"I'm afraid I can't speak of sacred rituals," he said. "Protector's code."

"And neither can we," Ember added primly, flipping her braid over her shoulder. "Witness confidentiality."

Maddy nodded with a sly grin. "Strictly classified."

"Ugh," Sera groaned, flopping back. "You're all insufferable."

Just then, a fae girl from House Terra waltzed by, handing out shimmering flyers. Her hair was braided in golden coils, and her wings sparkled with dust. "House Terra party tonight," she chirped, placing one in front of each of us. "Biggest one of the year."

"Yes!" Ember squealed before I could even blink. "We are totally going."

Gods help me. Jeremy would be there. Everyone turned to look at me—and then at Asher. He didn't say anything, just raised one brow with that lazy, predatory smile.

"What are we doing, Princess?" he asked, his voice dipped in amusement.

I groaned. "Fine. We're going. But you are not glued to my side like a leather-clad barnacle."

"Noted," he replied. "But I am your Protector. Can't let some drunk air-wielder spill a drink on your bond mark, can I?"

"Gods, it's like having a babysitter," I muttered.