The last significant change of the past months has been my unbound mark. When I’m alone in my room and relax the slight focus needed to keep it disguised, I can see how it has grown. Threads of silver like constellations have grown outward from the back of my hand. They reach halfway up my fingers and curl around my wrist like an intricate tattoo.

“A growing mark is a sign of a strengthening tether,” Typhon reminds me. “It should be a source of pride. It’s a visible indication of how impressive we are.”

“Yeah, well… unlike some ancient water dragons, I try my best not to seem impressive.”

"I do not try to be impressive. I simply am."

I smile as I lace up my boots and pour a trickle of focus into my mark. I watch as the silver swirl shifts and changes, turning blue and taking the shape of a wave like a normal water affinity. "Coming to tether class today?"

"I would sooner bathe in fire than spend another day pretending to be a fish while you toss blobs of water at targets. But yes. I will come, because I still do not trust Malakai or his small fish companion."

"It's more like a terrifying flying shark that looks like it wants to eat everybody."

"To me, it is insignificant. If that creature came within a foot of you, I would bite it in half and bathe in its blood."

I turn, narrowing my eyes. "We don’t want to do anything to draw his attention again.”

"I do not like the fear you feel when you're around Malakai. You are my tethered, angry human. I will not let any harm come to you, and you should be able to relax and focus on your studies with this truth."

"Thank you, Typhon. I know… it's just hard to ever really let my guard down here. The deaths did drop way off like Voss said, but I can see it in Malakai's eyes. It's like he's just waiting for the right moment."

"I believe your fire touched lover will also dissuade him from trying to harm you. The other students here seem to fear the fire touched. I must admit I admire his power. For a nearly worthless human, he's rather less unimpressive than usual."

"Did you just compliment another human, Typhon?"

"No," Typhon's response carries such regal indignation that I laugh aloud.

"And he's not my lover. He helps me with training from time to time. And he's keeping an eye on Serena for me while I keep an eye on Malakai. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. That's it."

"Relationship. Yes. This is what humans call it when they perform intercourse."