“Garret.” I heard Martin sigh. “Lucas Benedict...was killed last week in battle. He was in South America on a mission for the Order, and his squad was ambushed by the enemy. There were no survivors.”
My stomach dropped, and for a moment, everything inside me went numb. Benedict had never been a father to me, he’d made that clear himself. My whole life, all of our interactions had been strictly student to teacher, and he’d kept me at arm’s length with professional detachment, never getting too close. But he had always been there. And there were times when that mask would slip and he would look at me with pride. Almost with affection. It hadn’t been much, but it had been enough.
Now he was gone. For the second time in my life, I was an orphan.
It took several breaths before I could ask, “Was...was it the dragons?”
“Not directly,” Martin replied in a solemn voice. “The target they were looking for was not at the location, but it had left servants behind. Lucas was leading the squad when the ambush happened. He was shot and killed instantly.”
“So, it was Talon.”
“Garret.” Martin stepped forward, pulled up a chair and sat in it so that we were the same height. “Listen to me. I’ve known Lucas a long time. He was a good soldier and an excellent leader. When you first came to us and he took you in, I thought he was crazy. But I’ve watched you through the years, and now, I understand what he saw. You have the potential to become something incredible. Not just a soldier.” His dark gaze sharpened. “A leader. A champion for St. George. I know this news comes as a shock and, believe me, I wish I didn’t have to deliver it. But Lucas wanted you to continue. Not only that, he wanted you to excel. To be the best there is.” Those piercing eyes softened, though his voice remained stern. “Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” I replied, and my voice was calm. Steady. The soldier Benedict would have wanted. “I understand. Am I dismissed?”
He nodded. “The Headmaster has freed you from the rest of your classes today. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to pick you up. I assume you want to attend the funeral.” He rose heavily and placed a hand on my shoulder. “The Order has lost a great man,” he murmured, regarding me with somber black eyes. “But the war isn’t over. And the dragons haven’t destroyed him completely. At least, not yet.”
And he was gone.
Numb, I returned to my quarters. Monks and teachers saw me in the halls, clearly heading away from my scheduled classes, but no one asked where I was going. Peter Matthews passed me in the courtyard and threw out a jeer, smug and challenging. I ignored him. He was not important, not anymore. I kept walking, head high and expression neutral, until I reached my quarters at the very end of the hall and slipped inside.
Only when I was alone in my tiny chambers and the door had shut firmly behind me did I sink onto the cot, pull my knees to my chest and let the tears come. No one would see me cry, and I knew he wouldn’t want me to cry, but I couldn’t help myself. Even though the shame of my tears burned nearly as bright as the sorrow. Another life the dragons had taken from me, one more they had stolen without a thought. I wouldn’t let them get away with it. I’d pay my last respects to my mentor, thank him for everything he’d taught me, and then I would return to my training with renewed purpose. Our enemies—my enemies—wouldn’t win. The demon lizards had hurt me for the last time. Now, they had a new foe, and I would make sure they remembered my name when I destroyed them on the battlefield.
I would work hard.
I would excel.
I would become the perfect soldier.
GARRET
“Gunfire,” Jade murmured beside me.
I clenched my jaw, feeling the tension in my shoulders spread to all parts of my body. We’d been driving all day, setting a frantic, exhausting pace toward our destination, and those were the first words Jade had spoken for several hours. Since departing England, the Asian dragon had been a quiet but efficient travel companion, content to hang back and follow my lead in an unfamiliar country. She had ordered her two monks to stay in London, to keep an eye on the Order and the Patriarch, and inform her if there were any changes. Jade herself was so still and quiet, I’d almost forgotten she was there. Of course, I wasn’t in the clearest state of mind, either. Since landing, I had only one thing on my mind: getting to Ember before the Order did. I didn’t know how much time I had to warn them, if they were being shot down even as I sped down the highway, helpless to do anything else. I couldn’t even call them. Not for the first time, I wished I had Ember’s number, or even Riley’s. Cutting myself off from my dragon comrades had been a terrible mistake; I would happily call Riley and endure his mockery and disdain if it meant I could warn Ember.