They had started out as five winners of the dragon tournament that happened every five years in the city of Kinkadia. Kerrigan hadn’t been in the tournament as she had been underage, without a tribe sponsor, and most importantly half-Fae. But she had shocked everyone by winning and surviving the last year of dragon training. Noda had left halfway through and Fordham…well, Ford was a different story entirely. Now it was just the three of them left.

“Maybe you should see the healing counselor,” Audria said.

“And when would I have time for that?”

Audria sighed. “I don’t know.”

Roake rubbed his eyes. “Maybe after we pass all our exams.”

Audria looked dubious. “I doubt things slow down after that. They keep piling more on. It’s not like our apprenticeships are going to get easier.”

We’d gotten our assignments the day after we’d come back from Lethbridge Battle. Audria was apprenticed to a Bryonican healer, despite her lack of affinity for healing properties. Roake’s mentor was an Elsiande magical artifact creator. He seemed excited about the opportunity to grow, but he’d always seemed more inclined to physical endeavors.

Kerrigan had thought that they’d snub her again. After all, they hadn’t wanted her to win the tournament or finish dragon training or join the Society. Why would they start by giving her a reasonable apprenticeship now? Except they had.

A voice cleared at the end of the hallway. “Mistress Kerrigan.”

They all stilled at the sound of her mentor’s strong voice and Master Bastian, a full member of the Society council, came into view.

“Master Bastian,” Kerrigan said with a smile. “I didn’t believe I was to report to you until the afternoon.”

“Indeed,” he said, clasping his hands together behind his black Society robes. The dragon in flight coat of arms embroidered delicately onto the chest. “But I come for a different reason.”

“Oh?”

“The council wishes to have a word.”

Fear crept through her. Not again. They couldn’t kick her out now. Not when she was a full member.

He must have seen that fear on her face, because his own softened. “As your mentor, I am to inform you that you have been nominated for a seat on the council.”

To continue reading, grab HOUSE OF CURSES now!

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