Page 35 of Tempest Rising

This was an actual test of survival—the Guild's way of showing that we weren't just auditioning for some high-status role. We were fighting for it.

"At least you've got me in your corner, little flame,"Thalon's voice purred in my mind."Though I must say, watching you all scurry around like worried mice is quite entertaining."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence,"I shot back, but couldn't help smiling."And here I thought dragons were supposed to be wise and supportive."

"Oh, I am incredibly wise,"he replied with a mental chuckle that felt like warm honey."Wise enough to know that sometimes laughter is the best medicine for pre-challenge jitters."

"I assume Kane's already run through fifty ways this challenge could go wrong," I said lightly, trying to keep the mood from turning too bleak. "He wasn't at dinner last night, so I kept thinking maybe he was somewhere drawing up plans and strategies all night."

Mason let out a low hum of acknowledgement, glancing over at the pale-haired Fae who stood a little farther off to the edge of the group, dissecting each applicant with calculating eyes that rarely missed anything. Kane looked like a statue—stiff, cold, and terribly efficient, like always.

We hadn’t spoken much since our rather... tense conversation in my office the other day. But I could feel the undercurrent of distance lingering in every interaction between us since then. Even now, his stance screamedstrategist in overdrive.

"He doesn’t take chances lightly," Mason murmured, his gaze flickering between Kane and me. "If he needs a strategy, he’ll have ten in his back pocket by the time we get dropped out there."

Part of me found comfort in that. The other part hated the stiffness of it—the way Kane always seemed to calculate every move like it was some kind of chess game where losing was an impossible option.

But Mason...

Mason was different. His presence grounded me in ways I hadn't anticipated. "I'm glad you're here for this," I blurted out softly, the words surprising even me.

"Someone's getting rather cozy with the gargoyle,"Thalon's amused voice whispered in my mind.

"Oh hush,"I shot back, though I couldn't help smiling."Mason's just... Mason."

"Indeed he is,"Thalon agreed, his mental tone softening."And you'd do well to lean on him today, little one. I'll be watching, but this challenge is yours to face without my aid. We don't want anyone questioning your rightful place here."

"I understand,"I replied.

Mason's dark eyes met mine, and in the early morning light, they held that same quiet intensity he always carried—one that I found both fiercely protective and disarmingly gentle. He didn't say anything for a moment, but that look alone said more than words could. He was here, and he wasn't just any teammate. He was my anchor in all this uncertainty, even if he didn't fully realize it.

"Wouldn't be anywhere else," Mason grunted, his lips pulling into a barely-there smile. And like that, the warmth between us grew just a fraction stronger, despite the surrounding chill.

Before I could respond to Mason, a familiar figure caught my eye. Anya stood alone near the edge of the gathering, her dark sweater making her look like a shadow against the misty morning. Her violet eyes darted between groups, and something in her solitary stance tugged at my heart.

"Anya!" I called out, waving her over. "Come join us?"

She hesitated for a moment before gliding toward us, her movements graceful despite her obvious tension. As she approached, I noticed the protective charms around her neck gleaming faintly in the dim light.

"Morning," she said softly, offering a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Any theories on the team assignments?"

"Besides hoping we don't get stuck with Valen or Selena?" I grimaced. "I'm trying not to think about it too much."

"A wise strategy," a smooth voice cut in, and I felt my cheeks warm slightly as Draven appeared beside us, somehow managing to look perfectly put together despite the early hour. His hazel eyes sparkled with mischief as they met mine. "Though personally, I'm hoping for a certain librarian on my team. It would make surviving in the wilderness far more... interesting."

Mason shifted almost imperceptibly closer to me, while I caught Kane's attention suddenly snap our way from his position near the tree line. The possessive energy radiating from both of them surprised me.

"I doubt Aelar's considering entertainment value in his team selections," Kane's cool voice carried over as he finally joined our group.

Draven's answering grin was all charm. "No? That's a shame. Some of us work better with proper motivation."

I fought to keep my expression neutral, even as heat crept up my neck. "I think staying alive and not getting kicked out of the program is motivation enough."

"Speaking of staying alive," Anya interjected, her gaze fixed on something behind me, "it looks like some are already plotting ways to ensure others don't."

Following her line of sight, I spotted Selena and Valen with their heads bent together, occasionally shooting calculating glances our way. The sight made my stomach clench. If those two ended up on the same team...

"They can plot all they want," Mason rumbled, his protective instincts clearly kicking in. "They'll have to find us first."

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