Page 67 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

All the reassurance I pull from that thought evaporates when I enter the office. Not only is Sanders waiting for me but also Legatus Janus. My stomach drops.Shit.

Their faces are grave, and their eyes pin me in place as soon as I enter.

I swallow.

The door clicks shut behind me like a trap.

“Summer, your actions today go against everything I taught you,” Sanders says. I want to object, but his eyes let me know that would not be wise, so I clamp my mouth shut.

“However,” the Professor continues, “you acted with good intentions, and you are not solely to blame for the tragedy. The Night Raven should never have been up in the sky with us.”

Tragedy? What is he talking about?

“But even if not intentional, your action led to the death of—”

A knock on the door interrupts him. My stomach turns.

Oh gods, did Joel not catch Mariel? Did I kill her by throwing her off the Strix’s back? But he didn’t say anything.

I’m caught between demanding answers and clapping my hands over my ears. I need to know, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to hear it.

I don’t turn around, but the warm glow of his magic tells me Tate just entered the room, and someone else is with him, the gift not as bright as Tate’s.

“Centurion Kyronos, Centurion Vega, I’m glad you can join us,” Legatus Janus’s booming voice greets the newcomers while he had no more than a glare for me.He gestures for Sanders to continue.

I really am in trouble.

“You were informed what happened?” Sanders asks the centurions.

“Yes, Professor, we were informed,” Vega answers. I glance at Tate, and he nods in agreement, his eyes fixed on Sanders.

Great, so everyone knows but me.

“We decided on a punishment for Summer’s action—”

“Punishment for what?” I ask. I really tried to wait it out, but not knowing is killing me here. Four gazes lock onto me, and I try not to squirm. If I’m going to be punished, I want to at least know what it’s for.

“Are you serious?” Vega explodes behind me. “Is taking a runner’s life not punishable in—”

“Summer was hurt.” Tate’s voice interrupts him coolly. “He doesn’t know.” That cuts off the rant.

“Right, Ilario said you bumped your head,” Sanders says.

Tate coughs, but he doesn’t say anything.

“I trust you’re all healed now?” Legatus Janus asks.

I nod and hastily add, “Yes, Legatus,” when I see his eyes narrowing at my informal answer.

“Great. Then I don’t see any reason to delay,” Janus says. “You need to learn to follow orders, runner, and until I know you can, you are banned from flight classes. The only reason I don’t throw you out right now is because Sanders is convinced of your good intentions and because you also saved a life today.” Janus turns to Sanders. “I trust you can take it from here. I have a lot to do, consoling a grieving friend being one of them.” He sends me another glare and strides out the door.

“How about I start with a short explanation so we’re all on the same page,” Sanders says. “Gorgon Foley used his father’s influence and money to get his way of riding a Night Raven instead of a Strix. The responsible caretaker, my assistant—who was overseeing his class—and Gorgon’s squadron leader, are seeing disciplinary actions as well. But Gorgon paid the ultimate price for his actions, as did the stubborn bird.”

I’m lightheaded, the blood rushing from my face.

Gorgon and the Night Raven died?

“That bird should have never been up in the air during flight classes,” Sanders states. “Summer disobeyed orders, but I do notdoubt that it’s only due to his unquestionably reckless behavior that Mariel Tethys and the Strix are still alive.”

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