Page 100 of Silver Claws, Crimson Tears
Omari Reefsong approaches, the tiny blue jewels under her eyes catching my attention. I’ve always liked them, a custom of the Scaleborn people. Unexpectedly, Caspian Stonefist trails behind her.
They sit down, looking at me curiously, though not in an unfriendly fashion. Interesting. It seems the group expanded a bit in my absence. I approve of the additions. I like Omari and Caspian. However, when Robert Silverin slides onto the bench beside Caspian, I nearly choke.
“What in Heratrix’s name?” I blurt. “Shouldn’t you be licking Pyrewing’s boots somewhere?”
Robert’s face flushes. “Silas doesn’t own me. And shouldn’t you be on trial.”
“The charges were dismissed by the King,” I say, then add, “Since when aren’t you with Silas?” I challenge, remembering how quickly he became his shadow after Nate severed that toxic friendship.
He shrugs. “Shortly after you went missing.”
“What miraculous light illuminated your path?” I ask, arching an eyebrow. “Last I checked, you were practically sewn to his shadow.”
Robert shifts uncomfortably, pushing his porridge around with his spoon. “Didn’t take long to get tired of Silas and how full of himself he is. He doesn’t want friends, just boot lickers like you said.”
I narrow my eyes, not entirely convinced by his change of heart. I glance around the table.
“And we trust him now?” I ask no one in particular.
“Hells yeah,” Nate booms, slapping Robert on the back hard enough to make him cough. “Tell her about the Commander incident.”
Robert’s face turns crimson. “It wasn’t that big?—“
“This idiot,” Nate interrupts, grinning, “caught Phoebe sleepwalking in the Commander’s quarters at midnight. She was reorganizing Voltguard’s strategy maps in her sleep! Robert scooped her up and carried her out before Voltguard returned from her night patrol.”
Phoebe buries her face in her hands. “I was exhausted from research...”
“Voltguard would’ve had her scooping horse stalls for a month,” Nate continues, wrapping an arm around Phoebe. “Anyone who helps my girl is my friend.”
I look at Robert’s earnest face and decide, against my better judgment, to give him a chance.
“Besides,” Nate adds, “he’s a badass with his daggers.”
Robert is a Skyforge, so he gets to carry all kinds of weapons on himself and on his dragon during battle.
“Fair enough,” I concede.
“Omari, whatever happened with your sister’s baby?” I ask suddenly. “You were hoping he’d be a Bolt like you, right? Is he showing any signs?”
Omari’s coffee-colored eyes widen. “You remember that? Wyrm’s rot, we talked about that day in Hearthdale.”
“For me it was just the other day,” I remind her with a shrug.
The table falls silent. Adelaide studies her porridge with sudden fascination. Nate’s perpetual smile falters.
“What?” I snap. “Stop looking at me like I’m some broken thing. A year of my life vanished. That’s just how it is.”
Omari clears her throat. “Actually, I got leave to visit home last month.” Her lips twitch upward, breaking the tension. “The little terror is a damn Tide like everyone else in my family. Not a spark of lightning in sight.”
“Another Tide?” Adelaide perks up, pressing a hand to herchest in mock offense. “What’s wrong with being a Tide? Some of us can create blizzards that freeze Screechclaws mid-flight.”
“Sure, if you want to waste ten minutes chanting and dancing around while the rest of us actually fight,” Omari retorts with a wicked grin.
Adelaide rolls her eyes. “I don’t do that! Yes, I sing in the shower sometimes, but you should all appreciate my talents.”
“We can hear you from the barracks,” Caspian mutters.
“What should I expect from musically challenged dolts?” Adelaide sniffs, tossing her silver-streaked braid. “Some of us have gifts beyond brute force.”
