Page 73 of Tempest Rising

“Everyone. Arena. Now.”

Chapter 29

Tess

“They wouldn’t call a gathering like this for nothing,” I murmured, leaning into Mason’s warmth. “Do you think this is about the salamanders from yesterday?”

His broad shoulders tensed beneath his shirt. “Maybe. But this feels... bigger.”

The arena buzzed with low murmurs as Riders, applicants, and dragons gathered in the tiered seating. Above us, massive forms perched on stone outcroppings, their looming shadows stretching across the ground. The weight of so many dragons in one place sent an unmistakable message—something serious was happening.

Kane stood just behind us, scribbling furiously in his journal, his sharp blue-violet eyes flicking between the crowd and his notes. Draven lounged against a nearby pillar, arms crossed, his hazel eyes—currently an intense shade of green—missing nothing.

A hush fell as Moriyana, the Grand Luminary of the Dragonne Library, stepped onto the central platform. The sheer presence of her was enough to silence even the most restless whispers. Sunlight glinted off her ruby-red scales, each one shimmering like molten glass. She moved with a hypnotic grace, exuding ancient power.

Beside her stood Silvius, the Lord Protector, along with several high-ranking Supes—including Theron. The mage’s piercing emerald eyes scanned the crowd, locking onto mine for a fraction of a second before moving on.

When Moriyana spoke, it wasn’t with sound but with presence—a deep, resonant projection that filled my mind and demanded attention.

“Yesterday, the world was shaken.”

A ripple of unease spread through the arena. Somewhere above, a dragon let out a low, uneasy growl.

“Forest fires. Magical breaches. Targeted assaults on key supernatural strongholds.”

My stomach twisted. The salamanders. That hadn’t been random.

“And not just here.”

Murmurs spread through the crowd. I exchanged a glance with Mason, his expression darkening.

“There were coordinated attacks across the world—supernatural enclaves in London, Rio de Janeiro, and Kyoto all reported breaches. The Nightshade Coven in New Orleans was nearly wiped out. The Crystal Spire in Prague collapsed.”

The weight of her words pressed down on my chest.

“These were not isolated incidents.”

The breath in my lungs felt too thin.

Moriyana’s molten amber gaze swept over us, silencing the whispers.

“We believe these attacks were orchestrated by the Harbingers.”

The name slammed into me like a physical blow. A hush fell over the arena, broken only by the rustle of wings and the scrape of claws on stone. Cold prickled along my spine.

The Harbingers weren’t just myths. They werehere.

Even the dragons shifted uneasily, their claws scraping against the stone. I felt the blood drain from my face, my hands tightening around the edge of my sweater.

Silvius stepped forward, his hooves striking the platform with deliberate force. His rich, commanding voice carried across the arena.

“We do not yet know the full extent of their plans. But we believe yesterday’s events were not just attacks; they were distractions.”

Distractions. The word sent a chill down my spine. My mind raced, trying to piece together what they could have been diverting attention from.

Moriyana’s voice returned, sharper now, cutting through the crowd’s unease.

“We must remain vigilant. Trainings will be adjusted. Relationships between Riders, applicants, and dragons will be tested. We are entering a time of great uncertainty, and it is imperative that we stand united.”

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