Page 102 of Wings of Ash & Flame
Alaire found herself answering. “Decapitation, pure silver to the heart, or burning with phoenix fire.” She’d learned that during one of her many trips to Australe Library.
Snickers rippled through the room at the mention of phoenix fire. Professor Elowen’s gaze remained kind but assessing.
“Correct. Vampires are apex predators and difficult to kill. Interesting, isn’t it, that a phoenix would return as war escalates?”
The room quieted.
Before anyone could speak again, the door opened with a sharpcreak. Caius stood there, a plain silver necklace dangling from his fingers.
“Apologies for the interruption, Professor,” he said smoothly, eyes locking on Kaia.
Kaia froze. Archer’s gaze snapped to Caius, nostrils flaring.
“What are you doing here?” Archer asked coolly.
Caius stepped further into the room, swinging the chain. “You left this in the training hall,” he said to Kaia, ignoring Archer entirely.
Kaia’s cheeks flushed as she crossed the room quickly, avoiding the class’s stares. Her voice was low and tight. “You could’ve given it to me later.”
Caius tilted his head, exposing the angry red scar along his throat. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “Could’ve. But I know how important it is to you.”
Kaia snatched the chain, fingers curling tightly around it. “Thanks. You can go now.”
“Anytime,” Caius replied, gaze flicking to Archer.
“I wouldn’t dream of stealing your spotlight,” Caius said. “I know how exhausting it must be, trailing after Kaia like some over-eager guard dog. Don’t worry—I’ve got it under control.”
Archer’s eyes narrowed, shoulders stiffening. “Unlike you, I don’t make a habit of barging into classrooms for attention.”
Caius chuckled darkly, folding his arms. “Barging in? No. Making sure something important gets to where it belongs? Absolutely. Someone’s got to.”
Kaia muttered under her breath as she returned to her seat, clasping the chain around her neck. Alaire hadn’t realized she wasn’t wearing it.
“Caius,” Professor Elowen said sharply, “unless you plan to participate, I suggest leaving. Surely, you have other places to be.”
He glanced at Kaia, then at Alaire, his smile growing. “Actually, Professor, I think I’ll stay. Perspective, right? Sounds enlightening.”
Professor Elowen raised a brow but nodded. It seemed Dawson wasn’t the only one who received special treatment here. She gestured toward an empty seat at the back.
Alaire glanced at Kaia, whose face was tight with irritation. Archer’s jaw remained clenched, purposefully avoiding Kaia.
“Now that all distractions have concluded”—Professor Elowen gave Caius a pointed look—“if you were turned into a vampire against your will, could you be held accountable for your actions?”
“I’d rather meet Umbra in the Underworld,” someone called from the back.
“I’d want vengeance,” another added.
“Fair points,” Professor Elowen said. “Often, we become swept up in the discourse of the many, but it is important to consider multiple perspectives. Can anyone provide another scenario of conflicting perspectives?”
Alaire shot her hand up. “How about the double standards between humans and fae in Elithian?”
Some of her classmates rolled their eyes, others muttered, “Here we go again.” But Alaire didn’t care.
Kaia gave her an approving nod. Archer lifted his chin.
She pressed on. “Many of you have the innate belief that because you wield aether, you’re inherently worth more than humans. Their lives are seen as expendable simply because theylack magic. You treat them as tools, not people. They are deemed to serve, never to thrive. And the fae without magic? Cast aside like garbage, exiled for something they can’t control.”
Her voice rose. “Yet you expect them to fight and die for you. Send thousands to their deaths. This entire territory is drenched in human blood. Have any of you ever set foot in the human districts? Seen their suffering?”
