Page 154 of Taste of Thorns

“If they’re finding a way to rip through space and time, then it is,” the Empress says.

“I’m taking it you didn’t face demons,” Kitten says.

“No, screech-bats,” Beau tells her.

No wonder the girl can barely stand. Demonsandthe Madame. That’s one almighty feat.

The Empress clicks her fingers and six of her elite guards appear in front of us, dressed in their uniforms, weapons poised in their hands.

“The Deputy Headmistress is a demon spy,” she informs them simply, not one of them seeming to blink an eyelash at this incredible news. “Duncan, take two of your men and search her office. We shall examine the Madame’s classroom.” She turns to the rest of us. “You will come with us.”

“I can’t leave, Blaze,” Kitten says. The dragon lifts his head from his paws at the sound of his name.

“Would you like to explain to us how this dragon came to be here? How it hasn’t been reported?” the Empress says, her tone taking no prisoners.

Beau steps between the two of them. “She’ll answer your questions later. We need to heal her and then she needs to rest.”

The Empress frowns. “Very well. We will all return to the academy. We will grant you some time for healing and restingand then we will call for you.” She stares at us with a stern look. “It goes without saying that what has occurred here today should not be discussed with anyone else. Demon transgressions this deep into our territory is a grave development that could cause widespread panic. We need a better understanding of the situation before this news can be shared with our people.”

“How will we get back to the academy?” Briony asks. “Usually the trial ends and we just find ourselves there.”

The Empress smiles indulgently like little Kitten is a simpleton. “We will see to that.”

Briony hobbles towards the dragon. “Thank you, boy,” she says, running her palm up and down his snout and kissing his nose. “Thank you for saving me. I have to go back to the academy now. Can you find your own way back to your cave?”

The dragon snorts like she’s being ridiculous, and, satisfied, she steps back towards Beau and the Empress.

Then something occurs to her and she spins her gaze around.

“Where’s Fox?” she says.

“Who?” the Empress asks.

“Professor Tudor,” Beaufort explains. “He has been helping us to reveal the truth about Madame Bardin.”

“He was meant to be here helping us now,” I mutter. But he wasn’t at the agreed meeting point. In fact, he wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

The Empress’s attention lasers onto me. “Duncan, please give Dray Eros your jacket.”

The head guard snaps open the buckles of his jacket, slides it off his shoulders and tosses it my way.

I examine the thing. It’s fucking ugly.

“I don’t need it,” I say.

“You do,” the Empress replies.

I shrug it on, but leave it hanging open.

The Empress purses her lips together and turns back to the guard. “Duncan, search the academy grounds for the professor.”

The guard salutes and then displaces.

The others follow suit and then the Empress is waving her hand and we all find ourselves, back in the academy grounds. The stands are visible over the treetops in the distance, still full of people and, as we stand there, we hear the names of two students being announced. Despite all that shit that’s just past, the trial is continuing.

I shake my head in disbelief.

Beau has the little Kitten facing him. He’s searching her face, palms running up and down her arms.