Page 115 of Taste of Thorns

“What the fuck!” I spit out.

“Too dangerous,” Thorne grunts.

“No way!” Beau growls.

“Yes way,” Kitten says, hands on hips, chin raised, eyes spitting.

“Thorne’s right,” Beau says more softly. “It’s too dangerous. There has to be a better way.”

“There isn’t,” Briony insists. “The next trial will be coming up in a few weeks’ time. I’m sure she’s going to try and manipulate it again. I’m sure she’s going to go after me again. This time we’ll ensure the Empress is watching.”

“You don’t know for sure that she’ll attack you again,” Tudor says.

“She will if she learns about my powers. I don’t think she’ll be able to resist the temptation.”

I sit on the chair, kicking my legs to and fro and chewing on gum as Kitten, Beau, and the Prof debate backward and forward how exactly the hell they’re going to tempt Bardin into striking out at the little Kitten.

I peer at Thorne who’s listening but standing straight-backed like he’s on military inspection.

Finally, they come to some sort of agreement, although whether we’re going with plan A, B, or C beats me.

“I don’t like this plan,” the Prof says, rubbing his fingertips across his beard. “I was watching you last time and Veronica still managed to slip you away.”

“Yes, but this time I’ll have protection.” Little Kitten lifts her hand, opens her palm and a ray of light flickers into life.

“Shit,” I mumble, stepping closer and staring down into the bright light. “Fuck, that’s beautiful, Kitten.”

She grins with pride. “I’ve been practicing.”

“Yes, but you’re not good enough to take on Bardin,” Tudor says. “Not yet. You haven’t learned to harness your powers well enough.”

“True, but I have another weapon too.”

I tilt my head and stare into her green eyes.

Another weapon?

“Us?” I ask her, grinning. Maybe I’m going to be allowed to teach that witch a lesson after all.

“A dragon,” she says.

Chapter Forty

Beaufort

A stunned silence sweeps through the room.

“What?” Dray says, his lips flickering between a smile and a frown. “Was it Beau who hit his head or was it you, Kitten?”

“No,” Briony says, the light still radiating from her palm. “There’s a juvenile dragon out in the caves at the edge of the forest, and he belongs to me. I’m pretty sure he’d do anything to protect me. And I’d do the same for him. If I couldn’t handle Bardin, Blaze would come to my rescue.”

“Bl-blaze?” I splutter.

“It’s the name of her dragon,” Tudor says.

I stare at the professor. I don’t know if we’re right to be trusting the man. He’s a blood sucker like the Madame. Fuck, he was sleeping with her.

Everything on his face tells me he’s serious, though.