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"Exactly," Korym said, turning to face me. "While Lady Frexin has some faith in you, Miss Maderoth, I do not." His words were sharp, and his expression pointed. "So, today you will just watch. You. Will. Do.Nothing.Do you understand?"

Do nothing?! How was I supposed to do my job if I was just sitting around watching?

"But I'm supposed to help," I said, frustration biting at me. "That's what the deal —"

"Shut up!" he snapped. "Did you think you would just waltz in here and take over this effort?" His face twisted in disgust as he stepped closer. "Of course you did."

Shaking his head, he leaned in. "Let me clear things up for you, girl. Frexin thinks you add value, but she's left it up tometo decide how to use you to get the job done.I'min charge of this mission, and today, you are going to stay out of our way. And you WILL keep your fucking mouth shut. Do. You. Understand?"

No one moved as blood pounded in my ears — a storm of anger and embarrassment growing within me — urging me to fight back.

Don't think. Don't feel.Just obey …

My mind stilled.

I would not rise to the bait. I would do as Frexin commanded. And in doing so, I would keep the people I loved safe.

So, I nodded, acquiescing to the tyrant, a bright metallic taste spreading through my mouth as I did it.

"Excellent," he said, narrowing his eyes as he stepped back, all anger disappearing from his expression. "It seems like some of us have learned a little restraint, at least. Very good …"

Turning, he addressed the remaining teams. "Get your gear and meet me on landing pad three in 10 minutes. We lift off in 20."

Then he strode out, his team jostling after him.

Liam and his guards followed, and I couldn't help but notice how he held his ribs as he walked.

Fuck — if he'd broken something …

Gritting my teeth, I pushed down the fear.

He would be fine. He was strong.

Holden and the man from earlier laughed, and I grimaced as Tye led me out the door after them.

He and Korym working together was a complication I hadn't expected.

I had no doubt they would be working in the background as I did my duty — doing everything they could to get me to fail without being caught by Lady Frexin.

I just needed to figure out some way to outmaneuver them. All while stopping an unstoppable beast, workingwith a team that hated me, and trying to manage a guard who could feel my emotions and would be reporting each of them to my boss.

Piece of cake.

Chapter 24

Liam

The airship rumbled beneath my feet, tilting wildly as I fought to keep my balance.

We held onto a railing that lined the mostly empty cargo bay, my guards to my left and Kaiya and Tye to my right. The wall above the railing was dotted with small, circular windows, but the only things visible outside were blue skies and a few wispy gray clouds.

I'd been excited to fly at first, knowing it was likely the closest I'd ever get to riding a dragon through the skies. But there was nothing evenremotelyenjoyable about this experience.

The ship kept swaying in the day's winds, and I couldn't let go of the railing or I'd stumble around the room. And my ears — they alternated between throbbing and popping.

Perhaps if we'd been permitted on the deck instead, it would have been better. The people up there seemedto be moving around just fine. And the better view might have even helped me figure out where we were headed.

Neither of my guards had been forthcoming with the information, and we'd arrived late to the briefing so, of course, Mage Korym hadn't deigned to catch us up.