Page 24 of Dragon Unleashed

My stomach lurches.Frank always made me lock the door. I push the silly thought away. She’s a professor, a professional.

A crack rings out and a whip of magic lashes the backs of my hands.

“What the hell?” I nurse my hands as red welts appear across my knuckles.

“I’m not used to being kept waiting.”

With a flick of her wrist, the door locks. If she could do that with magic, she didn’t need me to shut the freaking door.

“I am here to see what you are made of, Lorelei. And then, once I have a measure of you, I am here to teach you to use your aether. You do not have to like me, or my methods, but you will not disobey me.”

“How exactly will you teach me aether?” I can’t keep the derision out of my voice.

“You are not the only one with the element. Granted aether is my second, not my first element, but I wield it better than you, for now.”

“Not possible. The Angel King collects aethers.”

“And yet here you are.”

Touché.

She clears her throat and stands. “While the Angel King does insist on aethers being registered, he only keeps those he finds…useful…close to him.”

I quirk an eyebrow, and she flashes me her upper arm. A brand is stamped on her skin. The mark of aether superimposed with the king’s seal.

“The Angel King is fond of dishing these out. Be grateful the Virrey has kept you shielded from him thus far.”

“Why…” I hesitate, not really wanting to antagonize her further. But I have to know. “Why are you not ?useful’?”

Lady Tenebrae stills and peers at me with her mismatched eyes for a long moment. “I’m barren.”

I stare at her.

“I’ll never bear children.”

“I know what barren means.”

“Do you? Well, for me, it means that, despite having aether as a second element, I am relatively free of the awful man. You, on the other hand…” Her mouth twitches as if she’s amused. “I’d just keep it in mind if you ever consider going against the Virrey.”

I take a hissing breath in through my teeth.

“So, shall we begin? The Virrey will be disappointed if I have little to report of our first meeting.”

By the time I’m stumbling out of the classroom I’m mentally and magically exhausted. That utter witch, striding ahead of mein her stupid high heels. Iwantedto show her what I had. I really did. But my magic wouldn’t come, not properly. Not the way I know it can.

Lady Tenebrae has to see my potential soon, before she gives up. Until now, there’s been no one to teach me how to wield my aether. Anything I’ve learned to do has been by accident. I hate it, and her, but can admit I need help. Her help.

I step into the night and shiver in the cool air. I left my hoodie back in the classroom. Chano’s hoodie. And my key card for my room. Holy hags. I really don’t want to wake Naeve up to let me in. Dragging my leaden feet, one after the other, I trudge back the way I came. I’m so tired I don’t even flick the light switch on, heading straight for the workbenches where I dumped my stuff.

Feeling around on the floor in the pitch-dark was not my best idea. The hoodie wasjusthere. Finally, my fingers brush against cotton far under the damn bench. I’m on my hands and knees backing out when I hear raised voices and pause.

“There’s more there, Silas. There has to be. Just let me grab my cigars and we can retire to my quarters.” High heels clip down the hall and into the room. I stay frozen in my spot under the desk.

“She was quite useless tonight. But with her lineage…”

“I don’t know. She’s a wet blanket.”Silas.“Not what you’d expect of a daughter of Mael.”

I grind my teeth.

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