Page 76 of Tempest Awakening

We follow him,I told myself, my inner voice a feral snarl.He's a danger to Tess.

With one last, lingering look at Tess, I slipped out of the office, my form melding with the shadows as I trailed after Silvius. My mind raced, filled with violent fantasies of confronting the Lord Protector. I could almost taste his fear, imagine the satisfying crunch of bones beneath my hands...

I shook my head violently, dispersing the thoughts.Focus,I commanded myself.For Tess.

As I followed Silvius, the constant battle within myself raged on, but on one thing I was certain—I would protect Tess, no matter the cost.

The shadows embraced me as I trailed Silvius to his office. His polished shoes clicked against the marble floor, each step fueling my silent rage.

I slipped into Silvius's office, my form melding with the shadows cast by the fading afternoon light. The scent of old leather and expensive cologne filled the air as the Lord Protector settled into his high-backed chair, utterly oblivious to my presence.

Silvius's fingers danced across the phone's keypad, each beep echoing in the stillness. "It's me," he murmured, his voice low and guarded.

"Silvius," a smooth, cold voice responded. "I trust you have news?"

I froze, recognizing the voice immediately. Its familiar timbre sent a chill through my incorporeal form.

We must remain calm,I reminded myself, forcing my focus back to the unfolding conversation.

Silvius wasted no time on pleasantries. "The situation is worse than we thought. A human. A human dragon rider." His disgust was palpable, making my shadows writhe. "It's preposterous."

"Indeed," the voice agreed, a hint of amusement coloring his tone. "How... inconvenient for us all."

Silvius continued, "Moriyana's meddling has ensured I can't simply get rid of her."

"Ah, yes. Our esteemed Grand Luminary does have a soft spot for strays," the voice replied dryly.

Rage flooded my senses, tinting my vision crimson. The casual way they discussed eliminating Tess... My form flickered dangerously, yearning to materialize and silence Silvius permanently.

Control,I hissed internally.We need information.

"Don't worry," Silvius's tone turned smug. "I'm making sure the guild trial will be particularly... challenging for our human applicant."

"And if she passes?" the voice asked, a note of concern evident even through the line.

Silvius chuckled darkly. "I don't see how she could possibly succeed. It's not like Blackwell is going to be particularly helpful. Not with his history."

"Ah, yes. Our reluctant mentor," the voice mused. "Still, we shouldn't underestimate her. Humans can be... surprisingly resilient."

"You're right," Silvius continued, his voice dropping. "Just in case, we'll make absolutely sure she won't pass the trial."

"Excellent," came the approving response. "We can't afford complications. Keep me informed, Silvius."

My shadows writhed, hungry for retribution. It took every shred of willpower to remain hidden as their conversation drifted to mundane matters.

We've heard enough. We must protect her.

As I slipped out of Silvius's office, my resolve hardened. I would ensure Tess’ safety. For her, there were no lines I wouldn't cross.

The corridors of the academy blurred as I moved through the shadows, my form barely a whisper against the stone walls. The smell of food grew stronger as I neared the dining hall, my senses still on edge from Silvius's conversation.

I slipped into the vast room, immediately assaulted by the noise of voices and clattering dishes. Supernatural beings of all kinds packed the space, but I only cared about one. Tess.

She sat at a corner table, her brown hair catching the light as she leaned towards her companion. Pippa, her pixie friend, practically vibrated with excitement, her small frame seeming to contain more energy than should be possible.

Relief flooded through me as I saw Tess safe, a small smile on her face. But as I drew closer, I noticed the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers gripped her fork too tightly.

She's hiding it well,we thought.But we can see the strain.

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