Chapter Twelve— witch clan
Saela didn't bother knocking. She pushed open the door to Ryuu's chamber and stepped inside.
He was sitting on the edge of his bed, half-transformed. His upper body was human, muscular and bare-chested. But his lower body had shifted. Black scales covered his legs, sharp and gleaming in the candlelight. His feet had become clawed, dragon-like.
He looked up when she entered, his eyes flashing with that reptilian gold that came with the transformation.
"You could knock," he said flatly.
"We need to talk." Saela's voice was sharp. Her own scales were starting to show, blue ones creeping up her neck and along her arms. A sign of her anger.
Ryuu leaned back slightly, resting his weight on his hands. "About?"
"About her." Saela's scales deepened to a darker blue. "The human. Why did you tie yourself to her when you know we're betrothed?"
Ryuu's expression didn't change. "Betrothed. That's an interesting word."
"Don't play games with me, Ryuu."
"I'm not playing anything." His voice was cold. Controlled. But there was an edge to it. "Our betrothal was arranged by my father. Not by me."
"It doesn't matter who arranged it. It exists."
"Does it?" Ryuu tilted his head. "Because I don't remember agreeing to it. I don't remember signing anything. I don't remember asking for it."
Saela's hands clenched into fists. "Your father is the Dragon Lord. My mother is the Dragon Matriarch. Our families have been planning this for years."
"Our families," Ryuu repeated. "Not us."
"You can't just ignore it."
"Watch me." He stood up, his transformation receding slowly. The scales faded, his legs returning to their human form. "I didn't ask to be bound to you, Saela. And I'm not going to pretend like I agreed to it just because it's convenient for our parents."
"So you decided to take up with a human instead?" Saela's voice rose. "A powerless, weak human who doesn't belong here?"
"I decided to do what I wanted," Ryuu said. His tone was sharp now. Angry, but still controlled. "For once. Something you should try."
"This isn't about what I want. This is about duty. About honor. About our bloodlines."
"I don't care about any of that." Ryuu walked toward her, stopping just a few feet away. His eyes were cold. "You want to honor the betrothal? Fine. Go tell your mother I'm not interested. Tell my father the same thing. Make it official."
"You can't break a dragon betrothal. You know that."
"Then I guess we're at an impasse." Ryuu crossed his arms. "Because I'm not ending things with Nyrah just to make you feel better about a contract I never signed."
Saela's scales turned even darker. Almost navy now. "You're making a mistake."
"It's my mistake to make."
"She's using you. Can't you see that?"
Ryuu laughed. It was a harsh, bitter sound. "Of course she is. And I'm using her. That's how arrangements work, Saela. It's transactional. Honest. Unlike whatever this betrothal is supposed to be."
"I thought we were friends."
"We are. Which is why I'm being honest with you." His voice softened slightly, but not by much. "I don't want to marry you. I never did. And pretending otherwise isn't going to change that."
Saela stared at him. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. She wanted to say something. To argue. To make him see reason.
But she could see it in his eyes. He wasn't going to change his mind.
"Get out," Ryuu said quietly.
"What?"
"Get out of my room. I'm done with this conversation."
Saela's jaw tightened. "Fine."
She turned and walked toward the door, her movements stiff with barely contained rage.
"Saela," Ryuu called out.
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"Don't take this out on Nyrah," he said. "Whatever issues you have with me, leave her out of it."
Saela didn't respond. She just opened the door and left, slamming it behind her.
She walked quickly down the hallway, her mind racing. Her scales were still showing, still that deep, angry blue. She needed to calm down before anyone saw her like this.
But as she turned the corner toward her own room, something caught her eye.
A swirling vortex. Purple and black, spinning in the air right in front of Nyrah's door.
Saela stopped immediately and pressed herself against the wall, watching.
The vortex pulsed with energy. Portal magic. Someone was using portal magic inside the Academy grounds.
That wasn't allowed. Portals were forbidden except for official Academy business.
Saela's eyes narrowed as a figure stepped out of the vortex.
A man. Tall and thin, wearing dark robes. His face was partially hidden by a hood, but Saela could see enough. Sharp features. Pale skin. The distinctive markings of one of the witch clans on his hands.
He was carrying books. A stack of them.
He moved quickly, setting the books down carefully outside Nyrah's door. Then he knocked. Three times.
Before anyone could answer, he turned and stepped back through the vortex. It collapsed behind him with a faint whoosh of air, disappearing completely.
Saela held her breath.
A moment later, Nyrah's door opened.
The human girl looked out, glancing up and down the hallway. She was cautious. Checking to make sure no one was watching.
Then she looked down and saw the books. Her expression softened. She picked them up quickly and retreated back into her room, closing the door behind her.
Saela stayed pressed against the wall, hidden in the shadows.
Black appeared in the hallway, probably having slipped out when Nyrah opened the door. The cat's ears twitched, and he turned his head toward where Saela was hiding.
Saela froze. If the cat saw her, if he made noise, Nyrah might come back out.
But Black just stared for a moment, then turned and padded back toward Nyrah's door, scratching at it until she let him back in.
Saela waited until she was sure Nyrah wasn't coming back out. Then she finally let herself breathe.
So that was it. That was who had been helping Nyrah.
One of the witch clans.
But why? Why would a witch clan waste resources helping a powerless human survive the Gauntlet? What did they have to gain?
Saela's mind turned over the possibilities.
The witch clans were old. Ancient. They didn't do anything without a reason. If they were helping Nyrah, it meant they saw value in her. Or they were using her for something.
But what?
Saela pushed off the wall and continued toward her own room. Her scales had finally started to recede, fading back into her skin.
She needed to think. Needed to figure out what this meant.
Because if one of the witch clans was backing Nyrah, then the girl was more dangerous than anyone realized.
Not because of her own power. But because of who was standing behind her.
And that changed everything.
Saela reached her room and closed the door behind her. She stood there in the darkness for a moment, thinking.
Ryuu had chosen Nyrah. And now Saela knew why someone like Nyrah had even made it this far.
She wasn't surviving on her own. She had help. Powerful help.
But why?
That was the question Saela needed answered.
And she was going to find out. No matter what it took.