He saw right through me. “You are worthy, Anna. You embody everything that sword stands for.”
“It’s your sword,” I insisted.
“Think of it as holding on to it for me, then,” he said.
“What about your stuff? Your books?” My hand rose to the amulet around my neck, and I pulled it free. “This too...”
“I ask that you keep them for me, Anna.”
He stood there, his eyes locking with mine and then skittering away. All that he’d been was in that room or strapped to my body. He was leaving me his most treasured possessions.
It means something, Angel,Matt pointed out.You matter to him. But you have to let him go.
I was still holding on to him, even now. I stepped back.
“Be free, Talakai,” I whispered, blinking back tears.
He dipped his chin once. And then his wings expanded, unfurling against the rising sun.
“See you around, mate,” Matt said as the Dragon emerged from the man.
Talakai paused in mid-shift to match stares with Matt. “It’s best,” he said, “if what happened in that place be forgotten.”
I looked from one to the other. I desperately wanted to know what she’d done to him, so that I could try to fix it.
“Not my place to tell,” Matt agreed softly.
The Dragon stood a little taller. “Thank you. I’ve only ever called one other person friend. I would like to think that you have joined those ranks.”
I sensed Matt’s surprise. “I’d be honored, mate.”
Talakai nodded again, and let the Dragon take him. He launched himself into the sky as the last scales fell into place. In seconds, he was a mere speck against the clouds.
Matt replaced his arm around me and pulled me close. “You cage a Tasi tiger, and it will kill itself trying to get free. He has to come back to us on his own.”
I laid my head against his chest, grateful for the clothing between us, and for his warmth. “I thought Tasmanian tigers were extinct.”
He laughed, the vibration traveling through him beneath my cheek. “Nope. They just jumped realms. Couldn’t blame them, really. The human one has too many bloody cages.”
* * *
My legs trembled with a combination of reaction and exhaustion as Matt guided me to my room, where I changed. I debated keeping the sword before sliding it, and the harness, beneath the bed.
It was difficult to leave it behind. I folded my hand around the amulet and chided myself. He would be back. Any other thoughts led to panic.
I rejoined Matt, and we descended to the fourth floor, and breakfast. Trix trotted in our wake, tail wagging, anticipating food.
The academy was preparing for another day of classes, and the stairwell filled rapidly with students following the savory smells coming from the cafeteria.
It all seemed so surreal. And that we would lose Talakai again, after all this—it was almost more than I could bear. I vibrated with nerves and exhaustion. How was I going to get through weapons class? The run was destined to be hell, too.
But better our Dragon vanish back into the underworld, than be held captive by the council. I was beginning to form a less-than-healthy opinion of the organization. Not great, considering I was hoping to work for them.
So long as the Watchers and Dragons have their fingers in this mess, what we do will be worthwhile.Matt’s arm tightened.And Tyrez and Cara will push to permit Talakai to become a full-fledged Shade, without the council getting stupid about it. They just need time.
He was right, of course. I rubbed my temple.I wish we could sleep.
Matt leaned close, pushing his head against mine and inhaling deeply into my hair.Sleep wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. Unless you meant dream. In which case, I’m in.
