Page 65 of Unbound

"Good. That's good."

There's a short pause, so I decide to ask the question that has been on my mind. "Why were Serena and Malakai trying to kill you?

Raith's eyes flash with secrets. "You haven't told your friends what you are because it puts them in danger. That's why I won't answer your question."

I let out a breath, annoyed at his secrecy but also unable to argue. Frustration may twist at my insides to admit it, but he is right. It’s like he said. I'm doing the exact same thing with the others.

"You should go. They'll be having the tethering ceremony soon. You should ask your elemental if he can take any less conspicuous forms. He's an ancient, right? It's the only way he could take such a powerful form."

"I am Typhon. Known and feared among my kind as ancient, wise, and powerful."

"Something like that," I say in answer to Raith's question.

"Can you take other forms?"

"My dignity would prevent me from diminishing myself. Let them see my power. Let them tremble in fear. Why should I hide?"

"He… wants to know why he should hide. He's got a bit of an ego." I resist adding that his ego may be larger than the entire elemental plane.

"Does he care about keeping you alive?" Raith asks. "Because rogue elementals don’t return from madness. That’s not supposed to be possible. Even for an unbound. But finding out he’s yours will draw attention. Even if it’s just because people will know tethering an ancient means you’re going to be the most powerful primal in both kingdoms by the time you graduate. If you graduate. There are people… things… that would do anything to stop you from gaining that kind of power."

"Is he right?"I mentally ask Typhon.

"On some counts… on the others, I have been blinded by madness for too long to know. Perhaps the fire touched is right. I will suffer the indignity of diminishing myself only because your death would… be unfortunate."

I turn and smile at him as he looms in the corner, looking somewhat ridiculous in the small room with his head hunched to fit."Did you just admit you don't want me to die, Typhon? Does that mean you like me?"

He lets out a low growl as steam hisses from his snout."I find you acceptable. And my gratitude runs deep, angry human. In time, I suspect we will come to find our pairing was a fortunate one. Perhaps."

"He says he'll do it," I say, turning back to Raith.

"Good. Now go. And keep them close," he says. "Serena, Malakai, and the others saw your elemental. Keep that in mind. But Serena knows she can't admit she tried to kill me without turning all the fires on her. Most of the earths are loyal to me, too."

"They are?" I ask. "Why?"

"It's not important. But Malakai knows how powerful you'll become. If he's smart, he's probably going to try to come after you sooner, rather than later. So keep your friends by your side at all times. We can’t know if they’ll try to get the truth about Typhon out or not. But we should be ready for anything."

"Okay."

Raith surprises me by reaching out and touching my hand. I feel some of his fire flowing into me, swirling in my lower belly in a way that's not entirely unpleasant. "You saved me back there. I don't take a debt like that lightly, Saltcrest."

I shake my head. "You don't owe me. It's fine."

"I do. So don't get yourself killed while I'm healing."

"Got it. Once you’re done healing, I’m free to die?" I can't stop the playfulness that slips into my voice.

"Once I'm done healing, I'll see to it myself that nobody lays a fucking hand on you."

I want to laugh, but the sudden intensity and severity of his words makes electricity prickle across my skin instead. The fierce determination on his face steals my breath. He means it.Gods, he means it.

"They will have to get through me, too,"Typhon says

I don't just have an ancient water dragon swearing to protect me from danger. Now Raith Hollow, the most terrifying and deadly student at Confluence Academy, just said he's going to become my glorified bodyguard.

14

"Today, we mourn those who passed and celebrate those who did not," Rector Voss announces from a high balcony overlooking the courtyard of Confluence. His voice echoes across the stone as rain patters softly down on all of us. Somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbles, deep and low. "To stand here today alive and tethered to an elemental is a testament to your value, students. Know this. Find pride in this."

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