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I glared at him. “Fuck off, Tanaka. Let’s not even go there. You won’t like how that little competition ends.” I fell onto a black velvet chaise and threw my feet up, trying to look more relaxed than I felt. “So, what’s up with you? You look like you’ve been through the wars.”

“Had a little encounter with Nyxaris this afternoon.”

I swung my feet off the sofa. “What? When?”

“Just before you arrived.” He came over to a small side table and started pouring himself a drink. He downed it, then gestured to me. “You want one?”

I shook my head. “What the hell happened?”

He shrugged, pouring out another glass. “Oh, you know. Nyxaris lit up our new headmistress’s office like a beach bonfire.”

“Holy shit,” I breathed.

“Pendragon was there.”

I growled, already halfway to my feet.

“Calm yourself, Drakharrow. She’s fine.” He took a sip. “Professor Hassan didn’t have the same luck, though.”

“Hassan? Professor Hassan who hauled Pendragon and Florence away this afternoon?” I stared at him. “Are you kidding me?”

Kage shook his head. “Apparently, the dragon doesn’t like tattletales. Hassan hid under the desk, a fat load of good that did her.”

I whistled. “And Florence?”

“She’s all right, too. At least, I think she is.”

“You think?”

“She left by way of dragon.” Kage came over to a nearby armchair and sat down, another drink in his hand. “The headmistress survived.”

“Regan? What a fucking relief,” I muttered. Was it my imagination or did the Avari leader’s body tighten at the sound of my former consort’s name?

“Your uncle was there, too. Not that it did our new headmistress much good,” Kage said coolly.

There was definitely a story there, but I decided it wasn’t a good idea to ask. I snorted. “You’re telling me Uncle Viktor didn’t throw himself between the dragon and his new bride? I’m shocked. Really, I am.”

“Your uncle disappeared leaving Regan at the dragon’s mercy. For a moment, I thought she was to be the target of Nyxaris’s wrath—not Hassan.”

I stared at him. “And I take it you did something about that?”

“I may have,” he said, a little stiffly.

I whistled. “Feeling a little sympathy for the headmistress tyrant, are we?”

“She’s not the tyrant,” Tanaka snarled, reminding me of just who and what he was. “Last I remember, proximity to a tyrant or even a family connection didn’t automatically make you just like them.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence,” I said, staring at him. “But I’m not sure Regan warrants such a strenuous defense.”

“The woman was once your consort,” he reminded me coldly. “You don’t believe you owe her any loyalty or care?”

I laughed lightly. “I think Regan can take care of herself. We grew up together, you know. I think I know her well enough to say she’s probably very happy with her lot in life.”

Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”

I shrugged. “Anyhow, you’re saying Viktor disappeared. Like, highblood-style ran away, or literally vanished in a puff of smoke?”

“There was no smoke besides the dragon’s. But he vanished, yes.” Kage leaned forward, clasping his hands. “Did you know he could do that?”