Page 40 of Tempest Blazing (The Dragonne Library #3)

Tess

My knuckles were bone-white against my sleeves as Mason and I stepped through the towering double doors to the Grand Hall. Time for written exam results. The sound of our boots echoed across the marble, swallowed by the low murmur of too many voices, too many bodies filling the space.

I'd spent the morning trying to quiet the anxious voice in my head—the one that whispered I didn't belong here, that I was fooling myself. But I'd worked too hard to let doubt win now. I could compartmentalize for now, focus on what mattered most—the final trial.

"I feel like I'm going to throw up," I whispered through gritted teeth. "Think they'd disqualify me for puking on the floor?"

Mason glanced down at me, that familiar warmth in his dark eyes even as he smirked. "Probably. Aim for Selena if it happens."

A laugh bubbled out of me—sharp, a little hysterical. God, I loved him for that. Mason always grounded me when everything else felt like it was sliding off a cliff. Even with all the uncertainty swirling around us, that hadn't changed.

The hall was filling fast. I spotted Kane rigid near the front, hands folded like he was attending a board meeting. Of course the bastard was confident. Kane Ellesar didn't do nervous. Ever. I couldn't help but lean down as I passed.

"You're not even a little worried, are you?"

He didn't look at me, eyes locked on some invisible future only he could see. "Worry is a waste of energy. My performance speaks for itself."

Draven, naturally, was the picture of nonchalance. Sprawled in a seat near the middle, long legs stretched out like he owned the place. Those hazel eyes found mine and lit up with amusement.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, love," his voice smooth as whiskey. "Relax."

"Easy for you to say," I muttered, dropping into the seat beside him. "You probably aced this in your sleep."

"Naturally." He winked. "I'll save you a seat at the victory feast."

Before I could tell him exactly where he could shove his victory feast, a sharp laugh sliced through the room.

Selena Nightshade, perched on her seat like it was a throne, was whispering something to Valen.

Whatever poison she was spilling made him chuckle—low and oily, the sound crawling down my spine.

Her ice-blue gaze found me like a heat-seeking missile, lips curving into all teeth, no warmth. "It's such a shame they let just anyone take these exams now. Some standards really have fallen."

Heat flared in my chest, but Mason's hand settled on my shoulder—steady pressure, silent warning. I bit back whatever was clawing up my throat and focused on the front as the Guild's leaders took the stage.

Silvius Ellesar stepped forward. Those piercing blue eyes swept the room like a blade, and his silver braid caught the chandelier light. Everything about him radiated control—cold, absolute control.

"The written exam is the cornerstone of the Guild Trials," his voice cutting through the air. "Strength and skill aren't enough. A Dragon Rider must possess intellect, strategy, the ability to think under pressure."

His gaze swept over us, and I swear it lingered just long enough on each face to make us squirm. The pause stretched, suffocating.

"Not all of you have met our standards. The bottom twenty percent will be eliminated. Effective immediately."

The words hit like a physical blow. A gasp rippled through the room. My heart slammed against my ribs, each beat drowning out the whispers around me.

The bottom twenty percent? Twenty percent.

Thalon's voice slid through my mind like smoke. "Trust in your knowledge, little one. You have prepared well. Let your mind be as sharp as your spirit."

"Those who fail," Silvius continued, relentless, "have until morning to vacate the grounds."

The numbers clawed at my mind—thirty-six people. Thirty-six dreams shattered. I pressed my palms against my thighs to stop them from shaking.

My hands trembled. I clenched them into fists.

Isolde Northfall stepped forward, her presence warm where Silvius was ice. Auburn hair framed her face, green eyes steady and kind. If he was the sword, she was the shield.

"You've all worked hard to get here," her voice carrying genuine warmth. "That effort isn't lost on us. Or on the dragons." Her lips curved into a faint smile. "In fact, the dragons participated in grading your exams."

The room exploded into whispers. Dragons? Grading our papers? My mind reeled. What did ancient, enigmatic creatures see in our answers? What did they value?

"The results will now be displayed," Silvius cut through the chatter like a blade. His gaze hardened. "For those who pass, congratulations. For those who fail—use this as an opportunity for growth."

He flicked his wrist. A glowing leaderboard materialized, shimmering with golden light. Names began to appear, ranked from top to bottom. A bright red line divided the survivors from the condemned.

My vision tunneled, the world narrowing to that glowing board. Sound muted to a dull roar. Each name that appeared felt like a countdown to my execution.

"Come on," I whispered. "Come on, come on..."

The names blurred together. My vision tunneled. Panic clawed at my chest as I reached the middle of the board. What if I didn't make it? What if—

There. Tempest Whittaker. My name clung to the leaderboard like a lifeline, barely above the line.

My lungs finally remembered how to work. A ragged breath hitched in my throat, then another, air burning a path to starved lungs. The relief was so sharp it left me dizzy.

Selena's name glowed high on the list. Of course. She smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Looks like some of us were born for greatness."

Her gaze landed on me. "And some of us... weren't."

I opened my mouth, but a low rumble vibrated in Mason's chest—not quite a growl, but close. His fingers tightened protectively on my shoulder. She wasn't worth it.

My eyes found the names that mattered.

"Mason Sharpe." Relief flooded through me as his name glowed near the top. Of course he'd make it. Steady, brilliant Mason who never gave himself enough credit.

"Kane Ellesar." Just beneath Mason's. A flicker of satisfaction warmed me. Kane would brush this off as trivial, but I knew better. This mattered to him.

"Draven Loto." Top third, practically radiating confidence. I could already picture his smug comment. Despite his arrogance, he'd earned it.

Behind me, a soft exhale. Anya stood there, violet eyes scanning the board with hope and terror. Her fingers clutched her dark robe like a lifeline. Suddenly her shoulders sagged.

"I made it," she murmured, barely audible. Relief and pride flickered across her guarded features.

A genuine smile spread across my face. "Of course you did. You're stronger than you think."

She turned to me, lips curving into a small, grateful smile.

A familiar voice, low and disappointed, caught my attention. "Guess I didn't have what it takes after all." Finn stood near the edge of the crowd, his usual brightness dimmed. Shoulders sagged, amber eyes dull under rejection's weight.

My gaze drifted downward reluctantly. I didn't want to look, but my eyes betrayed me. There it was, below the red divide: Finn Randall. The letters blurred as my chest tightened.

But safely above the abyss: Raze Ulrich. Relief for Raze, aching grief for Finn.

My chest constricted. Should I go to him? The urge to comfort warred with the knowledge that Raze was already there, already offering what Finn needed. Sometimes friendship meant knowing when to step back.

Before I could move, Raze clapped Finn's shoulder. "Come on, man. Let's get out of here. You don't need to stick around for this crap." His voice rough with sympathy. Finn hesitated, then nodded, letting Raze guide him away.

Guilt twisted in my stomach. I'd made it, and he hadn't. How was that fair? Finn was brilliant, kind, everything a Dragon Rider should be.

As the crowd thinned, muted conversations and hurried footsteps filled the hall. I was still catching my breath, relief mixing with the weight of others' failures. My fingers brushed my sleeve—nervous habit I couldn't shake. Mason stood quietly beside me, steady as always.

But relief never lasted long here.

"Well, well, look who managed to slip through the cracks," Selena's voice chimed, honey masking poison. The kind of tone that made your skin crawl. I turned to find her sauntering toward me, Valen close behind, eyes gleaming with predatory amusement.

Her sharp heels clicked against marble, every step calculated. She stopped just short of my personal space, tilting her head in mock curiosity. "You must be so proud, little human. Tell me, how does it feel knowing you don't actually belong here? That this is all just some cosmic mistake?"

Valen chuckled, the sound smooth as silk, twice as dangerous.

"This was just the written exam. All theory.

" His crimson gaze flicked over me, lingering just long enough to feel invasive.

"I wonder how you'll fare when you have to prove you're actually worthy of a dragon's bond.

Some bloodlines just aren't meant for greatness. "

Thalon's amusement rippled through my mind. "Let them speak their poison, little one. Words cannot diminish what we have forged together."

My fingers curled into fists, nails digging crescents into my palms. Mason stepped closer, his frame casting shadow over both of them.

Something shifted in his posture—predatory, protective.

The air around him seemed to thicken with barely restrained violence.

His dark eyes locked onto Valen's with quiet, simmering intensity that made the vampire's smirk falter.

But Selena pressed her advantage.

"It's almost inspiring, really. Watching someone so hopelessly inferior cling to delusions of belonging." Her smile widened, all sharp edges. "Like a mouse pretending to be a lion. And we all know what happens to mice."

"Selena," Mason said quietly, low and measured. Not quite a warning, but there was an edge that made her pause. "Back off."

She raised an eyebrow, smile never wavering. "Oh, relax, Mason. Just a little chat. Isn't that right, Tess?" Her gaze snapped back to me, daring.

I straightened despite the anxiety twisting in my chest. "Funny. I don't remember inviting you."

Valen's smirk returned, fangs flashing. "Feisty. I like that." He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "Let's see how long that fire lasts."

Before I could respond—or punch his smug face—Selena stepped between us, expression dripping with mock pity.

"Oh, don't worry, dear. I'm sure you'll stumble through a little longer.

Maybe even make it to combat trials." Her gaze flicked over me, dismissive.

"Though I'd hate to see you embarrass your species in front of everyone.

Some bloodlines just aren't cut out for greatness. "

"You know what's embarrassing?" Mason's voice cut through the tension. A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Trying this hard to intimidate someone who just proved they belong here."

Her eyes narrowed. Valen placed a hand on her arm, grip light but firm.

"Come now, Selena," he murmured, deceptively soft. "Let's not waste time here." His eyes met mine one last time, dark promise lingering. "The trials are just beginning."

Selena hesitated, gaze flickering between me and Mason before stepping back. "You're right. Let's leave the little human to her fantasies. She won't last long enough to matter."

She turned and strode away, sharp laughter echoing as Valen followed. I watched them go, jaw clenched so tight it ached.

"Don't let them get to you," Mason said quietly. His hand shifted on my shoulder, fingers tracing the curve of my neck.

I let out a shaky breath, the tension draining from my shoulders. "Yeah. Easier said than done."

Mason's thumb brushed against my pulse point, grounding me in the moment. As the last of the crowd trickled out, I turned back to the glowing board. My name still glowed there, defiant against the odds.