Page 3 of Dragon Unleashed

“Ladies and not-so-gentlemen…” The Virrey pauses, pleased at the titter that follows. “Welcome to tonight’s celebrations. I would like to introduce you to Lorelei Bal. A very special young lady—my sponsored student at Fates Academy and now…my ward.”

Ward? The ground moves under my feet, bile rising in my throat. I can’t be his ward. It’s not possible. Farrell’s grip moves around my waist, steadying me, and I lean into him.

“Young Lorelei has had a troubled youth, the silly girl was caught up in the murky world of gangs.”

That’s not true. I wastryingto escape. I even signed my wardship over to the academy to get away from Las Ratas. To the academy, not to him. He’s bullshitting.

“It didn’t take long for the dean to agree I would be a better guardian than the school board. An actual person, a rich, powerful supe like me, or a handful of underpaid professors with a whole school of young adults to wrestle? Of course I have more time, more dedication.”

Murmurs of approval break out, washing coolly over my skin.I did this.I had to break Las Ratas’ stranglehold on me somehow. I didn’t know the academy could sign me over.

He owns me.

The Virrey doesn’t even deign to turn and see his effect on me.

“My new ward, it transpires, is rather more important than she looks. She is an allegiance to my son, Farrell, your leader.”

The ballroom shakes with the hundreds of stamping feet and clapping hands. Even the heavy chandeliers tinkle in the frenzy.

“I guess something good did crawl out of the gutters of Venez,” the Virrey says as the hubbub dies away.

Uneasy titters are followed by silence, and I tear my gaze from the ground. Scattered among the beautiful people are plainer-dressed supernaturals. Their faces are harder, more careworn. And that throwaway comment clearly angered them.

The Virrey plows on. “Truthfully? I brought you here under subterfuge.”

The silence is strained. One wrong word and the crowd might turn.

“This doesn’t leave the room.” The Virrey leans forward, including the whole audience in his confidence. “Even the truest of hearts can lose faith. Sometimes we need a sign that we’re on the right side. A sign from the goddesses would be nice, right?”

A half-hearted cheer echoes around the ballroom.

“Right?” the Virrey bellows, coaxing a bigger cheer. “Today, you stand witness to that very sign. Farrell Cuelebre, your future leader, hasfivesupes in his allegiance. Just like our leaders of old, just like the old royals. He wasbornto take you to victory.”

No. Farrell didn’t tell the Virrey. He wouldn’t. Surely?

Farrell steps forward and salutes the crowd, sending them into an uproar of clapping and whooping. Tugging at the neckline of my stupid dress I fight to keep a pleasant smile on my lips. This can’t be happening. We agreed not to tell the Virrey. Not to give him more power over us. Weallagreed.

Trumpets blare in a ridiculous fanfare as the giant oak doors at the opposite end of the ballroom heave open.

A familiar tattooed figure stumbles over the threshold.

My Aeternum. My Chano.

Chapter Two: Lorelei

Chano is half dragged into the ballroom, boxed between four men in dirty khaki uniforms. The crowd parts reluctantly for them, necks craning, hands held in front of gossiping mouths. As the distance closes, I take an involuntary breath in. His face is puffy, his bottom lip fat, and a speck of bright red stains his otherwise pristine white collar.

As he nears the dais, Chano’s slate gray eyes search out mine. He scans me, his shoulders visibly relaxing as he drinks me in. This summer solidified our Aeternum bond, our mate bond. He’ll always have my back.

Unlike Farrell.

There’s only one way the Virrey could have found out about Chano.

“As with any great plan, there are glitches,” the Virrey continues. “Farrell’s fifth is none other than the Maverik heir. However, we’ve worked through that, the Maverik and I.” He pauses, waiting for Chano to ascend the steps. “We may even add some muscle to our army. The front line always needscannon fodder. Who better to fill it than gang members? Very…dispensable.”

Chano’s face darkens, his brows drawing down. He looks every inch the demon he is.

The Virrey gestures to the floor at his feet. Chano’s upper lip curls back and his horns break through the skin on his forehead. A trickle of blood runs down his face to his jawline, before dripping infinitesimally slowly to the floor.

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