Page 74 of Taste of Thorns
“Oh, Naomi,” Fly murmurs, stepping forward and stroking his palm down the girl’s arm. “I’m so so sorry.”
“The crazy thing was,” Naomi continues, wiping the back of her hand over her face, “she was a good swimmer. She made sure of it after the incident with the dog. I just … and she was smart.”
Clare nods vigorously in agreement.
“Even the Madame recognized that.”
“The Madame?” I say, my gaze meeting Clare’s and that awareness making my skin prickle again.
“Yes, she spotted how amazing Esme was,” she sniffs, “sort of took her under her wing and mentored her. She said Esme had a bright future. And now …” The grief wracks her body again and I wait for it to pass.
“How did the Madame take her under her wing?” I ask.
“I don’t know really – invited her to her room. Esme said they talked about things – that the Madame gave her guidance and stuff – but she didn’t go into much detail. I was too preoccupied with preparing for the next trial.” She looks at us both through her wet eyelashes. “I was so scared about this one – for myself. I never thought for one moment … It should have been me, not her.”
“I’m so sorry,” I repeat, not knowing what else to say. Nothing I can say will make any difference.
“What did you want to talk to me about anyway?” She sniffs.
“Just this,” I say.
“Is there anything we can do to help, Naomi?” Fly asks.
“Kyla and Peter are going to come round in a bit. We’re going to light candles for her tomorrow – out on the field. Will you come?”
“Of course,” Clare says.
The three of us are silent as we walk back down the staircase and out of the tower.
Once we’re out on the pathways, I blow out my cheeks.
“Well,” I say.
“You can’t seriously think the Madame is murdering students?” Clare says, reading my thoughts. “Especially such a capable one like Esme?”
“I don’t know what to believe. But is it any more ludicrous than the fact there’s a dragon flying around in the forest?”
“I still haven’t actually seen this dragon,” Clare points out.
“Come on then,” I say, grabbing her hand. “It’s about time the two of you met.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Briony
“Can you get him off me, please?” Clare asks as I attempt to drag an overexcited Blaze away from her.
“I’m trying. He’s a lot stronger and a lot bigger than he was,” I say, as Blaze slurps his tongue up and down Clare’s cheek and she squeals.
“And he really seems to like you!” Fly chuckles.
“Ewww, this is so gross!”
“Blaze, seriously! Give her some space!”
“Stop it!” Clare says more sternly. “Stop it right now.”
The dragon springs away, drops down onto his backside and looks suitably chastised. He whines.
