Page 18 of Burning Heir

I quickly snatched the cold and waxy golden egg as the snake rose for another attack. It was a griffin egg, probably identical to Setrephia’s golden feathers from the color of its shell.

I knew next to nothing about bonding. But I knew it would call to you before. I knew that time would stop, and I’d feel what those folktales spoke about when one finds their creature. I placed the egg in the nape of my velvet-lined hood before Myla could see. We returned to the cave’s mouth and those gurgled waves of ice.

My feet touched the water again. I stared breathlessly at Myla, skimming over that baby-blue egg in her clutched arms. “Looks like a hippogriff, maybe even a roc egg,” I said.

“I’ll name it Haziel, after my father’s last name.” She ran a hand down the egg, her eyes wide and dancing over every speckle. “Did you grab one? Did it call? I swore I heard it whisper my name.”

“None of them called to me,” I said.

We retraced our steps, back through the tight, rib-crushing cave. I kept my head high, hoping my hood wouldn’t graze the cold waters. Myla swam one-handed, the other proudly holding the blue egg flush against her palm. A few students cheered. Bridger patted her back, his hand lingering at her waist.

He looked at me, his eyes cold. “Perhaps you’re not cut out for the Serpent Academy. All but two eggs have been claimed.” He started to turn but sighed, adding, “The boat will pick you up tomorrow. We don’t have time for failures.”

Myla quickly corrected him. “There are three eggs left in the cave.”

I didn’t know what compelled me to speak, but I regretted it immediately. “No, one was eaten. The snake got to it.” I kept myback to the waters, careful Bridger wouldn’t see the lump in my hood.

Bridger stiffened his shoulders. “I see.”

Two others held eggs. One was a pale white, shimmering like an opal stone. Robi had found a hatchling, a meaty, featherless bird, shrieking by his feet. Two rocs perched on the branches above, their eyes fixed on three students below. Slices marred the branches where their claws had torn, their seven-foot tawny feathers flaring. The branches cracked as they took flight into the grey sky.

None of them called to me—or to anyone else.

I walked over to Robi, chuckling at the barbed bird below him. Being friendly was my best shot at surviving another night. “Congratulations on fatherhood,” I said.

He eyed the shrieking bird. “You think the ladies will enjoy this new look?” He flashed a grin, his lanky arms bending to graze the bird’s bony spine.

I was about to laugh, but Hunter diving into the water caught my attention.

The sea barely hit his calves as his fist slashed through the ice. He gripped the cave walls and hurled himself forward. Moments passed in pure silence. Even the thrashing waves dulled.

“Snake,” he yelled. “Help me! I’m stuck!”

I jerked toward the water, but Bridger pulled me back hard. “You can’t interrupt. This is part of the bonding process.”

“Like hell. He needs help.” I ripped my arm away, and Bridger whistled.

Two wolves lunged at my chest, pinning me down with one paw on either side of my waist. Jaws snapped, dripping hot drool onto my forehead. One sniffed close to my hood, whimpering.

He released me, staring at the sun dipping past the horizon. “Nothing beats a bond like Lucy and Niagra. Elmira got a taste of blood two years back. I couldn’t have her on campus anymoreafter that, but all three are so connected it’s almost as if they can smell whose blood she tasted.”

“Your mut attacked my brother?” Of course, Bridger was a third-year. He knew Klaus.

His eyes hardened. “Perhaps.” He called the wolves off, and they darted back into the woods with a howl.

“Did you kill him?” I asked. “Tell me… how he died?”

“Wouldn’t you love to know? I find poison and honesty taste the same.”

And a voice, so slight and tender, whistled a melancholy tune through the forest, “Severyn. Find him. You must.”I glanced at where I thought the voice came from.Scattered sounds rustled the bushes, but it was just Bridger’s wolves.

“Find who?” I asked Bridger.

He clicked his tongue. “You have lost your mind.”

I glanced through the misted veil before lowering my eyes to my drenched boots. “Nothing. I—I heard a voice.”

“We don’t need another mad heir or Serpent. Thank the Gods your title is out of your hands.”

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