Page 30

Chapter

Nineteen

ARA

I just returned to our room and changed into a new uniform when I’m summoned to Professor Sanders’s office. The rider accompanying me gives me a pitying glance.

I’m in trouble.

I haven’t seen anyone after Kyronos healed me. Tate. I silently let his name roll off my tongue and decide lying half naked in his bed justifies using his first name—even if it’s just in my head.

The room I share with the runners of my flight was empty when I came back, which puts me on edge, too. They should have been back by now.

It won’t be too bad. I only helped another runner. Having each other’s backs is the basis of being part of a flight, right?

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 not doubt that it’s only due to his unquestionably reckless behavior that Mariel Tethys and the Strix are still alive.”

I release a breath, which earns me a glare from Vega.

I’m allowed to be glad about Mariel being okay, aren’t I? Yes, it’s shit that Gorgon died, but I did what I could when I warned him.

“And Gorgon Foley dead,” Vega cuts in. “Everyone knows Night Ravens don’t break off an attack, and I heard this one”—Vega nods in my direction—“had a feud with Gorgon going.”

“I did not,” I protest. “I even told him he had to jump, or it wouldn’t end well for him.”

“He tells the truth,” Tate tells Vega when the man doesn’t look convinced. That seems to do it because his glare toward me softens.

“I watched Summer jump onto the back of another Strix to save one of the runners of his flight. I think that alone speaks for his character,” Sanders adds. “However, Legatus Janus decided that it would be best for Summer to experience reality as a rider to drive the importance of obedience home.”

“You mean to tell us Summer will join us for training, right?” Tate asks sharply.

Sanders looks uncomfortable at that but meets my eyes when he says. “I’m afraid not. He wants you to join one of the active flights for… everything.” The way he says it makes it clear he doesn’t agree with that decision.

“What?” Tate calls out. “Since when do we use runners as target practice for our enemies?”

“Excuse me?” I turn to him.

Is he calling me useless here?

“I can hold my own with a sword.” I challenge him with a glare, but Tate simply waves me off. My face heats in anger.

Oh no, I don’t fucking think so.

“He is as good as dead out there,” Vega declares.

Are they being serious right now?

Vega sees my look and adds, “No offense, kid, but Foley is Janus’s right hand, and this is nothing but a veiled execution.”

That does kill my indignation.

I look at Sanders, but he doesn’t meet my gaze, so I guess Vega is right on the money.

Shit. They don’t expect me to get back from this?

“We’ll see about that,” Tate grumbles. “Summer is in my division and under my protection.” He looks at Sanders and Vega like he expects one of them to contradict him.

“That won’t win you any favors,” Sanders says.

Are we still talking about me joining Tate’s flight here?

“It really doesn’t matter at this point.” Tate shrugs.

“Well, then Summer is with Kyronos.” Sanders nods and looks at Vega.

Vega nods. “If he came with us, he would be dead after the first night.” He looks at me. “Gorgon was one of us and had a lot of friends, but you don’t seem as bad as I expected.” Is that supposed to be a compliment? “So yeah, I think that is the best.”

“Well then…” Sanders claps his hands together and turns to me.

“You are, until further notice, under Centurion Kyronos's and Squadron Leader Tanner’s command. You are expected to attend class whenever you are free and to make up anything you missed during your free time as well. Other than that, you will be part of the first squadron for the time being and train, eat, and fight with them.”

“But I don’t have a bird.” I point out the obvious.

“Yes, I’m aware of that. That is why Kyronos will assign you a partner for patrols.”

It seems like I will be seeing a lot more of Tate Kyronos in the coming weeks, and that while needing to stay focused so I don’t get myself killed. I huff out a breath while I follow Vega and Tate out the door.

Vega gives us a wave and strides off, and I grab Tate’s arm just as he intends to do the same. He goes rigid under my touch and glares at me.

Have I offended him somehow?

“Wait, I just wanted to thank you for having my back like that,” I say.

“It’s the least I can do, considering what you did for me, isn’t it?” he replies, his voice harsh. Yes, he’s angry.

“Listen, if I did—”

“I will get the patrol schedule to you by tonight.” He interrupts me. “And I expect you to be up and in the weight room at the fifth hour tomorrow. See you then.” He walks off without a backward glance.

Okay then, I guess at least one of us is not happy to see more of the other.

I make my way back to our room, ignoring the looks and whispers I receive on my way there. Damn, I have to work on keeping my head down. Otherwise, I will blow my cover long before Picking.

Or I will be dead by then.

The latter seems more likely at the moment.

I only let my shoulders slump once I step through the door of our room and find myself immediately enveloped in slender arms and lots of red hair.

“Gray! Thank Elet, you’re all right.” Calix's voice booms through the room before he throws his arms around Mariel and me and squeezes until we both gasp for air.

“I’m not sure it’s for long, though,” I tell them once I have detangled myself.

“Vega thinks I got Gorgon killed on purpose,” I say, unable to meet their eyes.

“What?” Calix shouts.

“But the stupid bird flew into the wall,” Mariel says. “You didn’t make him do that.”

“He really did?” My eyes go wide. “I just thought the wall would slow him down so the Strix could escape.”

“It’s not your fucking fault,” Mariel seethes. “Putting that on you is unfair!”

The rest of my flight seconds that thought, and their outrage about the accusation makes me feel better, especially since the stares in the hallways have been less than friendly.

I brace myself to share the real news. “Janus banned me from flight classes. I’m assigned to Ta— Kyronos's flight for training, exercise … everything.”

“You mean while here at the Aerie, right?” Mariel asks.

I shake my head. “No, I get the patrol schedule tonight.”

There is only shocked silence.

“Shit. Well, we have your back, Gray,” Calix declares.