Page 114 of Dragon Unleashed

Slowly, with heavy feet, we walk to the dean’s office. It feels like the last place we should be going. We should be there in the infirmary, with Naeve. But if we don’t do this now, if we allow the Virrey to wrap the dean around his finger, then she’ll have died for nothing.

Farrell doesn’t knock; he simply walks into his office. And we follow. The dean is standing in front of the entire academic staff of Fates. Each of the professors looks grim.

“Ah, there you are, Mr. Cuelebre. I was about to send for you.” The dean inspects us, one at a time. “For all of you.”

He polishes his specs frantically.

“I’ve just had a call from a rather irate guardian. Lorelei’s to be precise. He claims…heclaimsLorelei has cracked. That she’s psychotic, and that she killed Naeve Haliai during an episode.”

Everyone inhales sharply, the professors included.

“You…y-you can’t believe that,” I say.

The dean regards me for a long moment before slowly shaking his head. “Is Miss Haliai…?”

“Dead.” The word tastes like ash in my mouth. “It was the Virrey.”

The dean slowly lowers his head, almost as if he forgot we were here.

“I am sorry,” he says.

It’s not enough. What am I meant to do with that stupid platitude? I stare blankly at him, my anger rising, flames licking over my skin. Chano grasps my hand in his and squeezes, letting out a grunt of pain.

“I don’t believe the Virrey. There are too many witnesses. But that is a matter for the P.I.G.” The dean shuffles the papers on his desk and glances up apologetically. “But heiswithdrawing your funding, and that of Zephyr Engill.”

It’s like he’s stabbed me in the chest again. How can that evil, evil man already be making moves? Hejustkilled someone.

“As your guardian he demands you be returned to his care immediately.”

My heart thunders in my chest. My palms are slick with sweat. “He can’t do that, can he?”

“You should seek legal counsel,” the dean advises, far too calmly.

“With what? I can’t even pay my own fees!” My thoughts race. I can’t go back there. The man is a psychopath. A killer. Who knows what he’d do to me now.

Professor Maximillion shuffles out from behind the desk and walks cautiously toward me.

“You don’t need to pay. In another life I was a lawyer. A hotshot.”

“He was damn good,” mutters Chano beside me.

“So good you’re now in an entirely different profession,” snaps Lady Tenebrae.

Prof Maximillion sighs, running a hand through his straggly hair. “I made a mistake. I took a case, defended someone I shouldn’t have, for which I’ll never forgive myself. But I’ll take your case, Lorelei, if you’ll let me.”

Chano steps to my side, his gaze fixed on the professor. “I’ll owe you another favor, Max.”

“This is for me. This time I’m on the right side.” He nods before pacing away from us, turning, and walking back. His expression is more determined than I’ve ever seen in him before. “I’ll file. I’ll file a restraining order right now. I’ll need a copy of the document you signed giving him guardianship, Lorelei.”

“I—I didn’t. I signed for the academy to take guardianship—they handed me over to the Virrey. I didn’t even know it was possible.”

Professor Maximillion flashes me a smile. “Even better, even better. A copy, please.” He snaps his fingers at the academysecretary, who scoots after him, flustered, as Max strides out of the room muttering to himself.

A long beat passes while the dean watches him go.

“How very touching. Still. I am not a charity. This school is not a charity. I can’t let either Lorelei or Zephyr stay here without the fees.”

The professors behind him start to protest; only Tenebrae looks pleased. Farrell shrugs hopelessly.

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