Page 110 of Unbound

Bastian steps between both groups of students and elementals, his majestic horse made of pure air behind him. He looks between both groups. "No," he says. "You're all Empire property. Valuable Empire property. I won't stand by and watch you slaughter one another. Disperse and return to your rooms now."

"And if we don't, pretty boy?" Malakai asks.

"There are systems for dealing with this kind of infraction. Systems that aren't public knowledge. If you carry on here and fight, you'll find yourselves envious of those who died. They, at least, won't survive to endure the punishment."

There's an uneasy silence.

Raith looks my way, and I can tell he's asking what I want him to do. He'll still fight them if I ask.

Gods. He really will. It's written in every line of his body, in the coiled tension of his shoulders and the fire flickering at his fingertips. The realization steals my breath for a moment.

But I shake my head.

At my signal, Raith slides his sword back into its sheath. He stands tall and proud in front of Malakai and his people. "Let me make something perfectly fucking clear." His voice is heavy, powerful, and feels more like the growl of a beast than something human. "She's under my protection." He points my way. "If any of you think you're going to hunt her down during the Crucible, you'll find us there to stop you. If you come for her on campus, it will be your blood on the stone. That's a fucking promise. Am I clear?"

Serena smirks and tilts her head. "Is she really so good in bed, Raith?"

He walks closer to her until he towers over her smaller form. I notice with satisfaction how she tenses in his presence, like she's already regretting her words.

"Am. I. Fucking. Clear?" he asks, words barely a whisper.

There's a long, tense silence before she lowers her eyes.

"Good." Raith steps back. "Malakai?"

Malakai gives a casual shrug. "Got it. We'll have to kill you and your little soldiers before we can kill Nessa. Did I miss anything?"

"Enough," Bastian says. "Nessa. With me. The rest of you get back to your rooms. Oh, and one more thing... The only people who know about him are in this room," Bastian points to Typhon, who is still chewing on Veeni's arm in a way that makes my stomach twist with nausea.

A twinge of panic rises in me. Even if the people in this room keep quiet about Typhon, I can see the truth will get out eventually. Now all the fires know. Any of Malakai’s people who might not have believed what they heard from Confluence Day have seen Typhon for themselves now, too.

Problems for another day.

"Can you even digest that?"I ask through the tether.

"I am chewing as an intimidation tactic. And for my enjoyment."

Bastian's finger is still aimed at Typhon. "If word about him spreads beyond the people here, I'll know it was one of you. That water dragon is an official academy secret. Speak about it, and I'll find you."

There are some murmurs and shared looks of confusion as Bastian gestures for me to join him.

"Come on, Typhon. Let's get the hells out of here."

"One thing before I go,"he says.

Typhon transforms into a flying fish and swims right up to Malakai's face. I think he's about to actually say something to him, but instead, he spits a small jet of water in Malakai's only remaining eye.

Malakai flinches in shocked surprise, reeling back and clutching his face. A moment later, he roars in anger and reaches for Typhon, but the flying fish slips out of the way and weaves back to me.

"Direct hit,"Typhon says with smug satisfaction.

Malakai, his shark, and his people try to come after me, but I hear Raith draw his weapon again. "Back the fuck off. I'll cut every last one of you to ribbons. Whatever mysterious punishment the legacy promised or not. Fucking try me."

I spare a glance behind and see Raith and the fires are forming a protective wall to stop Malakai and his people from coming after me.

Once we're in the hall, Bastian sighs. "You alright?"

I nod, though my hands are still trembling with leftover adrenaline. "Thanks. I think. Were you telling the truth back there? About the punishment?"

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