Page 9 of Monster's Baby

“Gràineileachd was accused of attempting to rid the Earth of all living sapiens, including witches, shifters, etc.He was woken by a student at Blackthorn Academy, and during his time awake, he traveled the world in human form to observe.When he was confronted, again by students and teachers of Blackthorn Academy, he made threats, but did not press his attack.He was drained of his magicin situby a family of manducare, and brought in by the aforementioned sapiens.During his time here, he has been tested for any residual magic, results negative.He has not caused any disturbances.”The guard turned to the judge after proclaiming all that for the court.

The judge frowned down at the papers in front of her.“It says here that he destroyed multiple communities in South America.”

“That was over two thousand years ago, before he was put into a magical deep sleep in central Australia,” the guard replied.

“Two thousand years?”The judge raised her eyebrows.“And he now has no magic?”

“None.”

“In that case, I declare that Gràineileachd has served his sentence in sleep incarceration, and is released into the care of Blackthorn Academy on probation.”She nodded at the front row, where I only now noticed the presence of our Headmistress, Ophelia Blackthorn.The judge stamped a paper and handed it over the edge of her desk.“Next!”

The line shuffled forward as Gràineileachd greeted the headmistress, and they left via a door on the far right.

“Well, that was quick,” I whispered to Aiden, who nodded.“Can we just leave?”

“We were only here in order to give evidence, if it was needed.Our job here is done.”Aiden got to his feet and led me to the door we had entered.We passed the tail end of the line of inmates, the last fellow in heavy-looking cuffs.

He noticed my curious gaze and winked at me before changing his facial features to match the guard at his side.

My eyes widened.

A shapeshifter!

Obviously bored by my reaction, the shapeshifter leaned over to his guard, still wearing his face, and complained, “This is taking forever!Déan deifir!”

The guard rolled his eyes and replied gruffly, “You’ll get processed at the right time.You can’t hurry up the line.Maybe if you hadn’t taken your time waking up, you would be outta here by now.And take my face off.”

The shapeshifter giggled and shifted back into what I assumed was his natural state, considering the guard didn’t say anything further.

I was curious about his cuffs; I had assumed they blocked the use of magic, but the shapeshifter had had no problem changing his identity.

Aiden and I made our way back outside.My mounting of Tsunami went better than it had in the Evans’ stables, but I still didn’t enjoy riding dragonback.

CHAPTER3

The weather heldclear as we flew back to Chateau Evans.I was even starting to enjoy myself a little bit.

“Coming in for the landing,” Aiden shouted over his shoulder.

I didn’t understand why he needed to warn me.The landing at the jail had been smooth.

Tsunami started circling, swooping lower and lower around the stables.

Then I realized he was aiming for the open skylight.

“It’s not big enough!”I squeaked.

Aiden chuckled.“We left that way.It’s the dragon’s door.”

“How can we make it?”I buried my face in Aiden’s back so I wouldn’t have to watch.

“Trust him.He’s been doing this all his life.”Aiden clicked his tongue.“Doing great, boy.”

Tsunami shook himself, rocking us, and then dropped, his wings snapping up so hard that the leather slapped against my thigh.He landed with a jolt that made my teeth clack together and bite my tongue.

I healed the injury quickly and swallowed the coppery blood in my mouth before Aiden could ask me about it.

We dismounted the same way we had at the jail, but this time, Aiden didn’t let go of me.“Ready to see my favorite place at this chateau?”

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