Page 90 of Blackheart

I stayed rooted in place.

His gleaming scales were magnificent up close, and while his wings and teeth were intimidating, they were more majestic than any castle ever would be.

“His name is Zephyros,” the blonde woman said.

“But I’m perfectly content being called Zephy,” his chipper voice chimed in my head. His mouth did not move when he spoke, yet I knew it was him.

My eyes shot to the woman. “Why can I hear him?”

“Because you’re Natured.”

No one had ever told me bladebreathers could speak.

The woman placed a hand on Zephy, giving him an encouraging pat.

“And your name?” he asked me.

“Uh, I’m Elora Amona, of Blackheart.” I still sat on the ground with my hands planted behind me, in awe of him—of both of them.

The thin straps of her gown displayed soft, rosy arms, and her long, straight hair rustled in the breeze.

“I'm Amzee, Flamecastor. Though, we usually don’t lead with that.”

It should have been obvious she was a Flamecastor, as they were all marked with a red, glimmering streak. Sometimes with multiple. But usually the marks were across their cheeks or forehead. Amzee’s shimmers were perfectly over her eyelids like cosmetics.

Still surrounded by vomit, I tried not to stew in humiliation as I got to my feet and wiped the dirt off my pants.

“You! I want my money back! You’re a cheater!” a man yelled from the distance, sprinting in Amzee’s direction with a drawn sword.

Her smile didn’t falter. In fact, she looked… excited?

The winded man glared at Zephy, his weapon held high and puffy cheeks red. “I’ll kill you and your beast too if you don't give me my money!”

Amzee scoffed. “He’s just a baby, and sir, we placed a fair bet. Don’t be a sore loser,” she scolded.

The balding man spat at the ground, wiping back sweaty wisps of hair. “Have it the hard way then,” he said, charging her with his blade.

“No!” I screeched. I thought of when a Sapphire targeted Luna.

Amzee did not cower or flinch, but brought her hand to her mouth and blew a sultry kiss.

Flames barreled out from her lips, quickly expanding. The man screeched as it engulfed him.

Zephy coughed, releasing a sharp quill from his throat. It stabbed straight through the man's throat, abruptly ending his suffering.

My jaw dropped. I had never witnessed someone use their Nature in that manner before.

Amzee plopped her bag on top of Zephy’s head for safekeeping and went over to the dead body, its torso still aflame. She grabbed him by the ankles.

“It would be frowned upon to leave him here,” she explained with a slight smile.

She dragged him off the trail and into the woodline. Once pleased with the spot, she shook her hand and flexed it a few times, sparks igniting with each movement while she hummed a playful tune.

With both palms out, Amzee torched the body, incinerating it into ash.

When there was nothing left but a charred spot on the grass, she turned to me, spirits still high. “Well! He was totally unpleasant.”

Zephy sat happily as Amzee took her bag off his head and slung it over her shoulder.