Page 121 of The Scars Within
“Shut up,” he barked and tugged me for emphasis.
The doors swung open, and Thorne shoved me into a chair. But this time, the room wasn’t filled with professors. It was just me, Thorne, Kalluri, and a tall man that I hadn’t met.
Kalluri looked worse than before—deep, dark circles shadowed his eyes, his white hair disheveled, and his uniform wrinkled. He approached me with fury blazing in his eyes.
“Where were you yesterday, cadet?”
I swallowed, straightening in the chair and remembering what Rhodes said about Allie. “I was in a private lesson, approved by Professor Maksimov. You know, the day after Shayde and I were rescued.”
His look was incredulous. “You just took the day off for aprivate lesson? That’s your sorry excuse?”
Did he just ignore the comment I made about our rescue? Why does nobody care that we were literally stranded in a collapsed cave, on the verge of freezing to death? “It’s not an excuse. It’s the truth. You can ask her about it,” I snapped, my voice hardening. I had to remind myself that Kalluri was the War Chief, a man who could expel me with the flick of his wrist.
“It has to be a lie, Chief. None of this happened until she enrolled. You need to face the facts,” Thorne cut in, his voice sharp.
“Shut up, Captain!”
I couldn’t stop the snarl from curling on my lips. Thorne stepped back, looking like a dog with its tail between its legs.
The mysterious man stood rigid, arms clasped behind his back, his gray eyes locked onto me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. He had stubble along his jaw and facial lines to show his age. His deep brown hair fell in slight waves over his forehead, contrasting sharply with the battle leathers he wore—definitely not Mageia’s uniform. My gaze drifted to the corner of his jacket, where a faint dragon mark peeked out, the ink curling like red smoke. Whoever he was, he wasn’t from here, but he looked familiar.
Kalluri’s hand shot out, grabbing the front of my tunic and yanking me close until we were nose to nose. “You expect me to believe a professor was murdered under my roof once again the day you were away for aprivate lesson?” he enunciated the last two words. “After Tyrians were spotted on our territory? After–” He stopped himself.
I gasped, suddenly realizing the threat in his grip. My mind raced, and I tried to remember if I’d seen Aunt Cora in the Great Hall earlier.
“Professor Reyes?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Kalluri snarled, shoving me back into the chair. He turned away, running his hands through his hair, down his face, and over his jaw as if trying to scrub the frustration away.
Still facing the wall, he spoke, “Professor Reynoski was found dead in his chambers within the last hour. It seems that he passed yesterday after his classes. Unlike Hogboom, no evidence was left behind. But after the current events, we’re almost certain it was nightshade poisoning. His blood is being tested now.”
His words echoed in my head over and over again.
He turned to face me again. “The only reason I’m not sending you to the Barrens right now,” Kalluri continued, his voice low and dangerous, “is because Althea,” his well-renowned dragon, “confirmed your private lesson with Roux. The cadets are currently in the auditorium. But you– go to your chambers and stay there.”
I bolted for the door, but his voice sliced through the air.
“Andnochanneling. Your elements are suspended until further notice.”
Chapter 46
It took every ounce of willpower not to defy the War Chief’s orders and escape to the rooftop. The moment I stepped into the dorm, I slammed the door behind me, leaning my back against it as my chest heaved, struggling to steady my breath.
I am pissed.
No—more than pissed. I am done being pushed around, as if my thoughts, my choices, don’t matter. As if I am not a person in my own right—capable of deciding, capable of fighting for myself.
Fighting for my freedom.
Fighting to be left the hell alone.
Heat flared in my fingertips as the fire element threatened to take over. My palms pressed against the wooden door, and the faint scent of smoke hit my nose. I quickly stepped forward. I may be angry, but I’m not about to burn this place down.
Despite what the faculty thinks, I’d never hurt anyone.
Other than myself.
“You’re okay, Scarlet,” Lakota’s voice echoed softly in my mind, trying to calm me.
