Page 53 of Cursed Heirs

He landed on the turret just a few feet from me, in full animal form, letting out a bird call.

I smiled, understanding, as he’d taught me how to speakPhoenix.

“Bring it on, Ore,”he was saying.

I unfurled my wings, then lunged at him.

He jerked backward with his phoenix speed and I soared up into the air at rapid speed, giving chase.

I heard his bird laugh, grateful that I could hear some semblance of happiness from him with it being so rare at the moment.

He dove down low through the trees and I chased him, the two of us laughing, the sounds echoing out into the night.

Vegetation rushed by, Talon’s phoenix fire lighting the way as we soared and dove, spun and wove through the obstacles of the trees, adrenaline and the thrill of the flight taking us both over in the most freeing way.

And then indigo-flames erupted from down below on the ground, just as we were about to dive down low again.

I blinked and saw none other than Elliot Sabre standing there right in our path.

“Talon,” I called.

He gave a nod, then transformed back to his human state in mid-air, leaving just his fiery wings, until he touched down on the grass before Elliot and hid them away.

I dropped down beside him, putting mine away too and regarding our unexpected visitor curiously.

Worriedlywas more like it, given that he’d entered the Academy during a lockdown and the fact that he was here whileExemplarwas in a state of emergency and he was absolutely needed there as the most powerful sorcerer in the world.

He stood there, his shimmering indigo robe flowing about him and revealing his battle garb beneath—a pair of worn leather pants and heavy silver armor strapped to his torso.

He was really something. I’d rarely seen him in the flesh, so it was a lot to behold.

Talon’s fingers snapping in my face had me blinking out of my admiration.

“Ore,” he scolded, not amused in the least.

He was still sore and sensitive about the regrettable Callum Cornwell situation.

Elliot stepped forward, his expression grave, so much upset rolling off him that it had me tensing.

“My son tried to take his own life.”

Talon choked.

I cursed under my breath.

“I was at theExemplarcompound at the time, but Dante was with him and able to prevent it in time as he attempted to burn himself by sunlight.”

“Fuck me,” I uttered.

“I understand that you four have formed a closeknit bond. Rather than keeping him from that in a bid to protect him and you, I believe he needs to be immersed in it now.” And then the almighty sorcerer actually admitted, “I need your help.” He went one further as a loving and deeply concerned father, “Please.”

“Of course. Whatever we can do,” Tal told him, urgency emanating from him.

“I’ve acquired permission from Dean Bronson to take you with me to Xavier, if you are in agreement.”

As Tal agreed immediately, the two of them looked to me for the same when I didn’t say anything.

“Ore?” Tal pushed.

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