Page 27 of Of Bone and Ash

“No…” I trail off, confused enough to let my Dragon forward. Unease sits in the pit of my stomach as I watch the bird shift its little feet on the branch, head tilting, black eyes holding mine as if it's trying to challenge me.

What the hell?

I lean closer, eyes narrowing as a gust of wind hits the bird, shifting its feathers and… A snarl bursts from between my lips as the sweet scent of cranberry and spice fills my nostrils, making me stumble back. A groan lodges in my throat as my cock thickens in my jeans. I can feel my eyes shift into those of my Dragon, my beast roaring in my chest as he crawls to the surface, tearing through all the defenses I have in place as my heart pounds furiously in my chest.

A mixture of excitement, arousal, and fear twine together as Andrei curses, his hands moving to steady my shoulders as I stare in shock at the little bird in front of me.

No way.

No fucking way she’s here! She’s home where I left her three years ago, under the protective eyes of her brothers. My thoughts trail off as I remember Gabe saying Atlas was coming to Silverwood to investigate the staff and shake my head. Gabriel Covington wouldn't allow his sister to come here with the unknown dangers lurking in every corner of this place. No, Serafina is safe and over five thousand miles from here. Well, five thousand four hundred and sixty-three miles. I have it memorized. I have flown it more times than I care to admit. Not that she knows that.

My Dragon growls, and scales erupt up my neck. Smoke billows from my nose as I stare at the tiny shadow bird, wondering what the hell is going on. I am convinced that my mind is playing tricks on me just as another gust of wind hits. The rich scent of spiced berries fills my senses, and I slam my eyes shut, cracking my neck to the side as my toes curl in my boots, confirming what my Dragon already knows.

Mother fucker!

“Whoa! Is that bird made of smoke?” Andrei asks, voice a little higher than usual as his eyes widen. His words only fuel my anger, making me wonder how I never knew Fina could conjure her magic and form this bird.

“She’s not going to be able to sit for a fucking week!” I bellow as my hands curl in on themselves, my bones snapping and cracking as my Dragon pushes forward.

“I’m not going to lie,” my friend drawls, eyes locked on the crow, who I swear just narrowed its eyes at me. In the next instant, it spreads its tiny wings and takes to the air, and this time, I feel it. The dark magic that has been circling the area, just out of my reach. “That’s kinda a weird thing to say to a bird.” Andrei chuckles, setting his hands on his hips as he watches the bird fly toward the school.

“What is the name of the student who found the scene?” I grind out, seconds from losing the battle against my Dragon. He’s desperate to get out, and I’m not necessarily against the idea.

“Uhh, I don't know. It was a professor who called Boris. The new guy, who started here a few days ago. Hampton… Hamilton… No, that's not right,” he mutters with a frown.

“Hawkins?” I ask, my voice so deep even I have difficulty understanding it. Andrei snaps his fingers and nods.

“Yep! That's the one.” Red-hot rage courses through me as I growl, magic erupting from me as I step away from Andrei.

“I’m going to kill him!”

“Why? Wait, what the fuck, Ry?” Andrei shouts, stumbling back as my body starts to grow, taking over the entire clearing.

I glance over my shoulder, finding that Dimitri already has the girl wrapped in a cloak and on the back of his horse as he mounts up. Good. They can finish this up. I have a girl I need to chase down and take care of.

With a roar, my Dragon bursts out, my skin shredding, my bones popping as my claws tear the surrounding trees to shreds, creating a space for me to take flight. I relinquish my control over him, happy in the knowledge we have a similar end goal this time.

“Find her,” I whisper into his mind as our wings unfold, my men shouting my name as we shoot into the starry night sky.

THIRTEEN

Serafina

Iadjust my sweater when it falls off my shoulder as I rush up the tight, spiral stairs to Atlas’ classroom, frowning when I hear raised voices.

“What the hell is going on now?” I mutter as I pick up my pace. The moment I regained control of my magic, I called Atlas, telling him what I found in the forest as I ran back to the university. After getting an earful from him about going into the forest alone, he told me he would call the Balaur Patrol and hold a meeting with the Headmaster in his office.

I had ten minutes to shower and get myself together before I was supposed to be in his classroom so I could relay everything I found. Thankfully, my bag and shoes were where I dropped them outside my apartment building.

My feet were cut up amd bleeding everywhere when I rushed back up to my apartment, and my body still feels like I ran a marathon. So after I showered, I opted to change into my favorite black cable-knit cropped Ralph Lauren sweater with a heather gray tank top underneath and a comfortable pair of black leggings. I swapped my heels for my only pair of knee-high black leather boots and zipped them over the tight leggings before shoving my blade into the small pocket meant to hold a phone while working out.

My long hair is down, because I only had time to wash and blow-dry it enough so it’s not dripping wet. It’s been twenty minutes, not ten. But Atlas will have to get over it. It takes a long time to wash long hair. Thankfully, it’s almost dark outside, and I didn't see many students on my mad dash to the castle.

“How do we know it wasn’t the Covington girl who did this?” a female voice snaps from the other side of Atlas’ closed classroom door. “She is a Reaper, after all.” My steps still, and I can't help but roll my eyes at whoever is speaking. It figures they’re already placing blame on my shoulders when I’ve only been here for a couple of days.

“It's been two weeks since the Balaur Patrol reached out to Councilman Covington for help, and he sends us what? A Warlock who can’t stand up and a girl who will kill anything on sight? How is that any help?” the woman snaps, and my eyebrows furrow.

Fucking bitch. She can talk badly about me all she wants, but Atlas? Fuck no!

---