Page 81 of Tempest Blazing
"You look like you've seen a ghost, love," his voice smooth as whiskey. "Relax."
"Easy for you to say," I muttered, dropping into the seat beside him. "You probably aced this in your sleep."
"Naturally." He winked. "I'll save you a seat at the victory feast."
Before I could tell him exactly where he could shove his victory feast, a sharp laugh sliced through the room. Selena Nightshade, perched on her seat like it was a throne, was whispering something to Valen. Whatever poison she was spilling made him chuckle—low and oily, the sound crawling down my spine.
Her ice-blue gaze found me like a heat-seeking missile, lips curving into all teeth, no warmth. "It's such a shame they let just anyone take these exams now. Some standards really have fallen."
Heat flared in my chest, but Mason's hand settled on my shoulder—steady pressure, silent warning. I bit back whatever was clawing up my throat and focused on the front as the Guild's leaders took the stage.
Silvius Ellesar stepped forward. Those piercing blue eyes swept the room like a blade, and his silver braid caught the chandelierlight. Everything about him radiated control—cold, absolute control.
"The written exam is the cornerstone of the Guild Trials," his voice cutting through the air. "Strength and skill aren't enough. A Dragon Rider must possess intellect, strategy, the ability to think under pressure."
His gaze swept over us, and I swear it lingered just long enough on each face to make us squirm. The pause stretched, suffocating.
"Not all of you have met our standards. The bottom twenty percent will be eliminated. Effective immediately."
The words hit like a physical blow. A gasp rippled through the room. My heart slammed against my ribs, each beat drowning out the whispers around me.
The bottom twenty percent?Twenty percent.
Thalon's voice slid through my mind like smoke."Trust in your knowledge, little one. You have prepared well. Let your mind be as sharp as your spirit."
"Those who fail," Silvius continued, relentless, "have until morning to vacate the grounds."
The numbers clawed at my mind—thirty-six people. Thirty-six dreams shattered. I pressed my palms against my thighs to stop them from shaking.
My hands trembled. I clenched them into fists.
Isolde Northfall stepped forward, her presence warm where Silvius was ice. Auburn hair framed her face, green eyes steady and kind. If he was the sword, she was the shield.
"You've all worked hard to get here," her voice carrying genuine warmth. "That effort isn't lost on us. Or on the dragons." Herlips curved into a faint smile. "In fact, the dragons participated in grading your exams."
The room exploded into whispers. Dragons? Grading our papers? My mind reeled. What did ancient, enigmatic creatures see in our answers? What did they value?
"The results will now be displayed," Silvius cut through the chatter like a blade. His gaze hardened. "For those who pass, congratulations. For those who fail—use this as an opportunity for growth."
He flicked his wrist. A glowing leaderboard materialized, shimmering with golden light. Names began to appear, ranked from top to bottom. A bright red line divided the survivors from the condemned.
My vision tunneled, the world narrowing to that glowing board. Sound muted to a dull roar. Each name that appeared felt like a countdown to my execution.
"Come on," I whispered. "Come on, come on..."
The names blurred together. My vision tunneled. Panic clawed at my chest as I reached the middle of the board.What if I didn't make it? What if—
There.Tempest Whittaker.My name clung to the leaderboard like a lifeline, barely above the line.
My lungs finally remembered how to work. A ragged breath hitched in my throat, then another, air burning a path to starved lungs. The relief was so sharp it left me dizzy.
Selena's name glowed high on the list. Of course. She smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Looks like some of us were born for greatness."
Her gaze landed on me. "And some of us... weren't."
I opened my mouth, but a low rumble vibrated in Mason's chest—not quite a growl, but close. His fingers tightened protectively on my shoulder. She wasn't worth it.
My eyes found the names that mattered.
