POV: Rory Hale“Dragon-born,” Maya said, almost reverent. “Better pray he’s not paired with you.”“Rory Hale.”The sound of my name shattered like thunder.Every head turned.Blood drained from my face.“No,” I muttered. “No, that’s not fair”“It’s perfect,” the Headmistress stated coldly. “Let us see what the Marked One is worth.”The mob parted, propelling me forward into the circle. Darius’s smile was slow, predatory.“Lucky me,” he drawled. “Fresh blood.”I forced myself to face his eyes. “I don’t want to fight you.”“Then you’ll lose quickly,” he remarked, his voice silky but vicious. “And losing here means bleeding.”The room vibrated with tension as he circled me, his eyes burning brighter.“Defend yourself,” he hissed.“I can’t,” I muttered.“Then burn.”The shift raced through him in a swirl of heat and light. Scales shimmered down his arms, his teeth lengthened, and fire licked between his lips.Someone yelled. Someone else cheered.And then the globe burst in flames.The fi
Last Updated : 2025-09-10 Read more