Page 82 of Dragon Unleashed

“So, what’s the deal?” Val asks, taking a gulp. “We try to find some old academy regulatory loophole that works in your favor?”

I nod, sipping at the hot liquid. A pleasant burn runs down the back of my throat and my shoulders relax. Zephyr pulls a handful of fireflies from his pocket and throws them into the air. They flicker a few times then light up, landing on the walls, the ceiling, and the curtains.

Val raises an eyebrow.

“I, uh, got them for tonight, for the bedroom ceiling, with Alice,” Zephyr says. “But since we’re making a party of it…”

Val chokes on a laugh. “Very romantic, except she’s shagging someone fifteen years younger than her.”

“Leave him alone.” I study the ceiling. “They’re really pretty, Z, I love them.”

He throws me a thankful look and settles in, hugging my pillow and flipping through the book he pinched. I stare at each of them. I don’t know what difference it’ll make, but I’m glad they’re here.

“That illusion…someone meddled with it. I have to fight this.”

“We fight it together,” Hewie pipes up, raising his glass. He takes a huge swig and immediately starts coughing. “Strong,” he says on a gasp, peering suspiciously at Naeve. She waves a hand at him and starts on a small pile of the books.

Togetheris a nice thought. I read through my appeal once more…

After everyone has left and gone to bed, and I’m alone in the small hours of the night, my elation has dissipated. It was a nice thought, but I doubt it’s enough. Quoting the odd paragraph from school rules about outside interference in exams and a student’s right to request a resit…I doubt it’ll sway the board. They’re convinced I cheated and that trumps just about everything.

Two weeks until their decision.

The fireflies on my ceiling flicker brighter the later it gets. I chew my lip. I can’t prove I’m innocent of cheating. But what if I can discredit the professor who conducted the exam?

What if I get dirt on Professor Allegra?

Chapter Thirty-nine: Lorelei

“Wake up!” Naeve shakes me, and I pull my pillow over my head.

Mulled wine is not my friend.

“Wake up, there’s a letter from the Virrey. One for each of us.”

I sit bolt upright, clutching my temples. A thick, heavily embossed envelope lands in my lap and I poke it. Naeve rips hers open in such a hurry the letter falls out onto the floor between us. I lean over the edge of my bed and read with her.

Virrey Cuelebre invites you to his

Grand Solstice Ball

Guests of Honor include:

Farrell Cuelebre and Camille Fumus

Naeve Haliai and Beck Flumen

Zephyr Engill and Alice Allegra

Lorelei Bal and Chano Maverik

Holy hell. He wants all of us in the same room, and he expects us to be civil. To dance.

I throw myself backward and burrow under the comforter again. Hell. Sheer hell. Especially since Chano will be ignoring me and Camille and Allegra will be hanging off the guys likeleeches. No doubt Naeve will have her tongue down Beck’s throat. How did a shitty day get shittier within two minutes of being awake?

“It’ll be fun. Like a redo of the academy ball, except bigger.” Naeve tugs the blanket from my hands. “More booze.”

I glare up at her. She has no damn right to be this perky.

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