Page 63 of Dragon Unleashed

“Never.” The word is out before I can even really think.

The lights flicker, like candles guttering out, and a stillness settles on the room. A cold slithers deep into my bones, as if for a moment the dead are walking among us. The room shrouds in a black so pitch-dark I’m utterly blinded. A crack of sheet lightning reaches out across the ceiling and I flinch. Two bolts of bright white light shoot down, one hitting my arm, the other colliding with Farrell. The room tilts, and I stagger to keep my feet.

As quickly as the darkness descended, it retreats, and we’re all standing in the brightly lit gymnasium again. I rub the center of my chest, a dullness there I’ve never felt before.

“Your mark,” Naeve wails. “Your mark…Farrell’s mark. They’re red.”

Instead of a nice stable allegiance mark, mine is a flickering purple haze; the only point of the star clearly visible is the one that stands for Farrell. In blood red his little symbol blazes on my skin.

“Look what you’ve done now, you stupid, ignorant little—” The rest of Farrell’s words are lost as he storms out of the room.

Tears prick my eyes. I don’t understand. Was that a choice the Fates were giving me? Did I make a choice?

Did I fail, again?

Chapter Thirty: Farrell

I knew Silas would report it. Or one of my father’s other employees would. Still, the heavy cream envelope weighing heavily in my hand chills me to the bone. I run a finger over the familiar cursive before flipping it over. Our family seal holds the letter firmly shut, spelled only to open to me. I lay the thing carefully on my desk and lower myself into my chair. For a long time I just stare at it.

He didn’t even summon me. Her life isn’t worthy of a personal visit. Because that’s what this contains. I know it in my gut. He warned me. I had my chance, and I blew it somehow. She’s too damn headstrong. Too freaking in love with that idiot gangster. I doubt she even realizes she’s forfeited her life with this stunt. The ceremony failed but somehow she’s still fated to Chano. In my father’s eyes, that means she dies.

Eventually I pick up the envelope and peel the seal open, spilling the contents into my lap. As I read his words, they vanish from the page. Intended for my eyes alone, trusting that I’ll remember the content word for word. And how could I forget them?

Nothing must stand in the way of the rebellion, son. You may not approve of my methods, but you have to agree, Lorelei is a weakness. A liability when left to run free. As a mark of respect I will give you a choice.

I snort. Respect. The only thing my old man respects is himself. The churning of my gut forces me to read on.

I enclose two contacts. Choose between them. One is an assassin, the other a fixer. She dies now, or she never ascends and is tethered.

It is time for you to step up.

He’s playing me. He knows I won’t choose death. She’s got power he craves. But there’s too much madness in him. If I call his bluff, he might actually go through with it, killing her out of sheer spite.

I have to be the bad guy. I have to order her destruction. Because not ascending, not ever leaving Venez? Thatwilldestroy Lorelei. Add being tethered to my father? There will be nothing left of her. But she’ll be alive.

I ball the parchment up and fling it at the wall. All I can do is buy her more time. I hate that this is my choice, and I hate that Father knows what making it will do to me. To our allegiance. It’s about control for him. If my allegiance is weak, I still need him. He still holds the power.

With heavy steps I cross the room and scoop up the crumpled letter.

A slim man in an impeccable suit steps through my door mere hours after I make the call. He gives me an exaggerated bow and smiles so wide I can see every one of his too-white teeth. I set my jaw and hold my hand out. He’s the best in his field. Only the best will do for Lorelei.

He slides into the seat I indicate and steeples his fingers. His excitement is almost palpable.

“Naga Cotle, at your service. I’m delighted to work with you. I’ve never had the opportunity to tether an aether before.” His eyes shine as he tucks a strand of hair behind a pointy ear.

Damn fae. Never trustworthy, always looking for more power. What is it they say? Be more fae. What they mean is be utterly ruthless. Maybe Father has some fae blood.

I swallow the bitterness down and say what needs to be said.

“I can orchestrate her failing the year. You will be in charge of tethering her thereafter. I want it done painlessly.”

He cocks his head to one side, regarding me like a bird. “That should work, if she can’t graduate, she can’t ascend. But she’s doing well academically. How will you manage it?”

Hell. He’s already been digging. The idea of this man investigating Lorelei makes my skin crawl. “I’ll go to Professor Allegra. She’s helped before. She should be able to interfere with the exams.”

Naga hums as he considers it. “It would be good to keep Lady Tenebrae out of it. With all the changes in the school, with the new staff loyal to the Angel King, your father is keen to keep fingers on the pulse. And I did like Professor Allegra’s work with the Aeternum bond-blocker. Slightly rudimentary, but highly effective.”

I nod, the shame settling deep in my gut. I did it to keep Lorelei safe. I stopped her ceremony to buy her more time. And look what happened.

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