Page 20 of Tempest Rising

Inclusions, new alliances between humans and Supes, and more specifically,me. My whole existence as a human Dragon Rider threw a wrench in their archaic belief system. If they werewatching from the shadows, I was sure they weren’t happy with what they were seeing.

I forced myself to refocus just as Valen’s voice cut through the room with a lazy, mocking tone. “Curator Draevorn,” he drawled, his red eyes gleaming with amusement, “if the Heart of Creation is so powerful, why didn’t the gods just use it to fix this mess of a world? Or, better yet, why didn’t they stop at creating dragons, and skip the whole human experiment altogether?”

Several students snickered, but I couldn't pay them too much attention because displayed on the screen behind Aurelia was a pendant of breathtaking beauty and immense power. At its center was a jewel, impossibly radiant as though the very essence of the cosmos had been crystallized within it. Draconic wings, crafted from purest platinum, encased the jewel as though both protecting and containing the immense energy it held.

I couldn't take my eyes off of it.

Aurelia’s lips twitched ever so slightly, as though she found Valen’s remark mildly amusing. She made no attempt to correct him immediately, letting the low chuckles from his fans ripple through the room until they died down on their own. The tension lingered, an almost tangible force hovering over us. Finally, with the room held in silent anticipation, she offered a cool, measured response.

“Ah, such limited imagination, Mr. Beaumont,” Aurelia began, her voice honeyed with just a touch of condescension. “A question plucked from the depths of cynicism. Well, legend tells us the Heart of Creation was forged by the divine couple Alaia and Sovrax, a physical manifestation of their eternal love and the very essence of creation itself.” Her gaze snapped back to the class, a spark of intensity brightening her features. “Its poweris said to be limitless—creation, transformation, healing beyond imagination.”

Her words hung in the air, resonating with everyone present.

I felt a chill run down my spine, sensing the weight of ancient magic even through a mere image. Aurelia continued, her voice low and intense.

"This is why the role of Dragon Riders remains paramount. You're more than just protectors of people; you're guardians of the very artifacts that have shaped our history and, when necessary, define our future. The question is,"—and here her gaze swept pointedly across me and the other students—"do you think you're ready for that responsibility?"

The air crackled with tension as her words hung in the silence.

"Of course humans aren’t ready for this." Selena's voice cut through, her tone heavy with derision. "No offense, Whittaker... but you can’t seriously think you belong here, can you? Handling something like the Heart of Creation?” She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, and her blue eyes flickered with barely disguised disdain. “It’s not a library trinket.”

A ripple of murmurs trickled through the classroom, some in agreement, others cautious, but every second Selena spoke felt like she was baiting me, waiting for me to snap. I bit back the retort bubbling on my tongue, knowing that's exactly what she wanted. But before I could respond, someone else spoke.

"Careful, Selena," Mason’s gravelly voice growled from the back. He had been silent until now, watching with dark eyes, his massive frame tensed. The quiet protectiveness in his tone sent a wave of heat through me. “Judging someone's worth based on old, arrogant prejudices? Sounds a lot like theHarbingersAurelia was talking about.”

Selena bristled, her flawless face twisting into a predatory grin. "Oh, please, Mason. Don't pretend this is some noble fight for equality." She waved her hand dismissively. "I’m sure you’re justsosmitten with the human, but facts are facts. You can't change the nature of things. Humans have always been less... competent in magical matters, less connected to our world. And now, we're expected to believe that one of them could handle the same responsibilities as us? That’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” Mason rumbled. The bite to his voice was sharper than I’d ever heard it before. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, his jaw clenched, muscles taut as if he were restraining himself from shifting right in the middle of the classroom. “She’s handled herself just fine. More than fine.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I hit a nerve?” Selena’s grin widened, enjoying the fire she was kindling. "It’s sweet how protective you are ofyour human." Her gaze darted to me, dripping with false sympathy. “But when she inevitably crumbles under pressure, are you going to come running to clean up the mess? Can’t babysit forever.”

Before I could speak, Mason shot up from his seat. His chair screeched across the floor as if it too were echoing his anger. Mason's entire frame vibrated with barely contained fury, muscles taut like a coiled spring ready to strike. His eyes locked onto Selena’s, a dangerous fire burning within them.

“You don’t have any idea what Tess is capable of,” Mason growled, his gravelly voice rippling with power. His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles white beneath the bronze hue of his skin.

Selena’s sharp laugh filled the air, her voice dripping with mock amusement. “Right. I’m sure all that time spent organizing dusty scrolls has really prepared her for guarding the world’s mostpowerful magical artifact. Face it, Mason—they’re letting her in for show. A token human to placate those who think we need to ‘bridge worlds.’ But the truth is..." She trailed off, stepping closer to Mason as her voice lowered, cutting like a dagger. “...she’ll fail. And deep down, you know it.”

A menacing, primal growl rolled from Mason’s chest, vibrating the very air between them. For a moment, I thought he might shift right there in the classroom, the pressure of his power radiating outward until it buzzed against my skin like static electricity.

Just as it seemed the situation would explode into full-blown magical combat, Instructor Dante's voice cut through the chaos like a blade of ice.

“Enough!”

Chapter 9

Tess

The tension in the room snapped taut as Instructor Dante’s voice settled over us, cold and commanding, freezing both Mason and Selena in place. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint as he slowly rose from the edge of his desk. The atmosphere shifted, a heavy, oppressive weight pressing down on everyone present.

“Ms. Castellan, Mr. Sharpe.” Instructor Dante’s voice was an icy caress, deceptively calm. “This classroom is not a battlefield for your personal disputes. We are here to discuss the future—ourfuture—and petty squabbles over bloodlines and magical aptitude are relics of a past that no longer belongs here.”

Mason's chest rose and fell heavily, his entire body still vibrating with an energy that felt like it could crack the very foundation of the room. Selena, for her part, looked smug, as if she’d won some unspoken point. But Instructor Dante wasn’t finished.

“And Ms. Castellan,” he said, his voice slicing through her self-satisfaction like a blade, “I would caution you to tread carefully. Overconfidence is often the downfall of even the most powerful.” His eyes flicked toward me for a brief moment, a barely concealed reminder that I was still under his scrutiny. “The world is changing. Adapt, or be left behind.”

Selena’s smirk faltered, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she flicked her gaze away, dismissing the warning with a haughty tilt of her head.

Instructor Dante turned his attention back to the class at large, his tone once again smooth and composed. “Now, let’s continue.”

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