Page 52 of Guardian of the Cursed Egg
Balor hands me a cup of coffee, the porcelain warm against my fingers, its heat bleeding into my chilled palms. The aroma is sharp and earthy, a fleeting comfort that doesn’t reach the knot in my chest. I sip it slowly, the bitter liquid coating my tongue, as I stare into its dark swirling depths, watching the faint ripples form and dissipate. “So we can’t trust the headmaster. Arista’s flight is causing trouble openly, and somehow my father is involved in all of this,” I blurt out, my voice tight as the words tumble out. The coffee swishes against the stark white of the cup when I swirl it again, the contrast mirroring my chaotic thoughts.
“There’s a little over two months left. If your vision is accurate, Klauth will hatch, and things are going to change radically,” Abraxis says, his deep voice vibrating through the tense silence. He leans back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight as his gaze sweeps over all of us.
“We still have the matter of finishing Mina’s nest for her yearly,” Vaughn brings up, his tone matter-of-fact, but the mention alone sends a sharp spike of anxiety through me. It prickles up my spine, my grip tightening on the coffee cup.
“I feel like it’s coming earlier this year. Is that correct?” Leander asks, his voice softer, edged with concern. I nod, the movement sluggish, my breath hitching in my throat.
“I have four bonded mates...” I murmur, the five words tasting heavier than the coffee. They hang in the air like a storm cloud, laden with unsaid complications.
“Can we camouflage the nest in the mountains? How are we going to get her there and make sure no one notices we’re gone?” Callan’s voice cuts through, his pragmatic tone grounding. We all turn to him, the room sinking further into uneasy quiet.
My eyes drift to Balor, standing solid and steady as always. A sigh escapes me, the sound low and weary. “You guys would have an easier time covering Balor’s classes than anyone else’s. He only teaches the second years twice a week.” My voice softens as I lower my head, staring at the steaming coffee, the faint curls of vapor spiraling upward.
“You’re the only second year...” Vaughn pieces it together, his sharp mind always quick to connect the dots.
“Exactly,” I reply, my tone flat, resignation laced through the word. My gaze drops to the eggs nestled on the table beside me. Their faintly glowing shells pulsating with life, and to Iris, who slips gracefully into my lap, her warmth soothing against my thighs. I absently run a hand along her smooth scales, her low, comforting hum vibrating against my palm.
“If it hits over the weekend, I can be there until Tuesday night. I don’t teach classes again until Wednesday,” Callan offers, his voice practical, though there’s a hint of unease in his words.
“I can phase back and forth, giving whoever is on guard duty a break and bringing food and drink,” Ziggy adds, his tone brimming with confidence. I nod, their words forming a plan, but my heart sinks further under the weight of it all.
The thought of how much my yearly disrupts their lives gnaws at me, leaving a bitter taste that even the coffee can’t wash away. I know how it will go—Abraxis blocking the entire nest overnight with his dragon’s imposing presence, Balor coiled protectively around me during the day, or even Callan with his gryphon’s massive wing shielding me.
I rub my forearm where the implant lies, the dull ache grounding me. Its presence makes it easier to manage everything in some ways, but itdoesn’t erase the truth. There’s too much happening all at once. The coffee’s warmth fades as I stare into its dark depths again, my thoughts spiraling like the faint ripples on its surface.
CHAPTER 32
Callan
Thankthe Gods it’s Friday. The relentless grind of going back and forth between the school and the nest site has left me drained in every possible way. The scent of sweat and steel lingers in the air, the sharp tang cutting through the faint musk of worn leather and scorched wood from the sparring arena. The clash of swords has just ended, and Mina stands with Abraxis and Balor, calling for time. Her voice rings clear, commanding even when she’s winded.
She strides over to me, her movements fluid but heavy with exhaustion, and reaches for the bottle of water at my side. A bead of sweat rolls down her temple, catching the dim light before vanishing into the collar of her leather jacket.
“You are a lifesaver, Callan...” Her voice drops into a deep, sultry purr that resonates through me, and my breath catches. That tone—it hits me like a lightning strike. Heat rushes south, and my shaft hardens instantly, unbidden.
“I aim to please.” I force a smile, gripping my water bottle tighter than necessary, the cool condensation biting into my palm.
Mina shrugs out of her leather jacket, revealing a damp tank top clinging to her torso. Her shoulders glisten faintly, the light catching on the sheen of sweat. As she pulls her hair up, exposing the nape of her neck. I spot them—the scales. The ones running down her neck shimmer, their usual color deepening into a striking magenta.
The bottle slips from my fingers, hitting the ground with a dull thud that seems to echo louder than it should. My heart races, and a cold spike of dread pierces through the heat. I fumble for the handkerchief in my pocket, my fingers trembling as I give it a deliberate wave.
Abraxis’s head snaps up, his eyes locking on mine. His entire frame stiffens, his hand immediately going for his phone. The plan is in motion; we’ve practiced this, prepared for it. He taps out a message with quick, precise movements. His parents will know. The tonic will be brought to the nest site. All hands on deck. Abraxis gives me a sharp nod—confirmation they’re on their way.
“Mina?” I reach out and touch her forearm. Her skin is hot beneath my fingertips, the scales beneath her tank top faintly raised.
She turns to me, and the air seems to thicken. Her eyes meet mine, but they’re no longer human. The pupils are sharp, reptilian slits, gleaming with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.She will hunt the weakest mate and breed him to exhaustion.Those words echo in my mind.
“Hmm... How about we go home and...” She leans in close, her breath hot against my skin, carrying a faint hint of spice and smoke. Her lips brush my neck, and then I feel the faint scrape of her teeth as she nibbles, a gesture both teasing and terrifying. My instincts scream danger, but I wave the handkerchief again, signaling for help.
“Mate?” Abraxis’s voice cuts through the haze, low and commanding, imbued with the power of a dominant drake. It vibrates through the air, making my gryphon instincts recoil in submission.
Mina’s head snaps toward him, her teeth bared in a feral snarl. The sharp glint of her canines catches the light before she freezes. Her shoulders rising and falling with ragged breaths. Abraxis flares his wings—a warning, a reminder of his strength.
“It’s time, isn’t it?” Mina’s voice trembles with suppressed power, her fingers twitching at her sides. Scales ripple along the length of her arms, catching the light with an iridescent sheen as her dragoness strains against the fragile tether of control.
“Time to go...” Abraxis growls, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through the chaos. He grabs Mina’s hand, his fingers brushing her wrist, and starts running toward the nearest flight field. The air is thick with the metallic tang of adrenaline, and the ground trembles faintly beneath our pounding feet.
Ziggy materializes beside us in a flash of light and shadow, his presence crackling with raw energy. “Everything is set!” he shouts, his voice cutting through the rushing wind as we sprint.
