As Do I

Chapter Seventeen: Tested | Part 2

Given the precise, rhythmic flicking of Azirenne’s tail, she was either extremely annoyed or trying to entrance him. Thirtyx lowered his gaze to his fingers as she continued. “The deal between the forge and the military, for instance. It wasn’t common knowledge.”

Rhea rolled her eyes. “It was more common knowledge than just Thirtyx.”

“Because he told the entire school while you were conveniently not here to stop him?”

Rhea pursed her lips and stared furiously at the wall. “No one told us it was supposed to be a secret. When Grimm wants intelligence protected, he usually lets us know.”

“That doesn’t seem to have much bearing on what you tell Venmagalion.”

“Thirtyx has never endangered any of our secrets of his own accord. The only time his knowledge has been a problem was when you tried to pull information out of his head!” Rhea leaned forward with a sneer that might have gotten her expelled were she anyone else. “That’s the part that really bugs me, Headmistress. I can see why they find these coincidences suspicious.” She gestured at the door. “But you know what Thirtyx has done to protect the king’s secrets. How could you possibly still think he still wants Grimm dethroned?”

Azirenne snorted. “It is a true blessing that your generation doesn’t know what wild political schemes Veriths are capable of. You can’t imagine the lengths they’ll go to to regulate the flow of information so that every player knows precisely what they need and nothing more. So forgive me for not believing that Venmagalion’s unwillingness to give me Grimmary’s secrets is proof that he’s unwilling to give them to anyone else.”

Her attention swiveled back to Thirtyx so fast it made him jump. “Which is why it’s time to petition the school board for your expulsion.”

“What?!” Rhea spluttered. Thirtyx’s blood ran cold, but he said nothing. No. He’d worked so hard. He’d endured the torment for so many years, and to have it all snatched away at the last minute would be excruciating. Sure, he’d considered leaving, but that would have been his choice. To take the decision away was just—

“Ridiculous!” Rhea cried. “Grimm will never let you do this.”

“King Grimmary holds only two votes on a nine-member school board.” Azirenne drew herself up to her full height. “Three of them are Dragonfolk, so after what happened today, I doubt Venmagalion stands a chance. I’m sorry, Miss Grimmary, but if you and your brother refuse to acknowledge how you’re putting the entire planet at risk through this friendship, I have to take matters into my own hands. In the meantime, the three of you are suspended for three days for the attempted assault and burglary of Mr. Lassa.”

“Oh, but he’s not suspended for assaulting Thirtyx?” Thirtyx wouldn’t have been surprised if Rhea’s glare ignited the headmistress’ desk, but he had more pressing concerns.

“Ma’am, my Comp is tomorrow. If I’ve yet to stand trial for my expulsion, shouldn’t I still be allowed to—”

“Three days,” she repeated. “Effective immediately.”

She leaned across the desk, her glare piercing into Thirtyx’s very essence. “I know what side of history I intend to end up on, Venmagalion.”

Azirenne’s behavior from the night she’d tortured him echoed through his memory. She was only choosing Grimmary’s side because Thirtyx hadn’t given her the information she’d need to undermine him. 

The realization sparked a wild idea. A reckless idea. But after everything he’d been through today, he couldn’t let his courage falter now.

He narrowed his eyes to match Azirenne’s and gave his head a slight tilt. “As do I, Headmistress. Rhea, could you give us a couple fractions?”

Rhea gaped at him like he’d lost his mind. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. Go make sure Benn’s alright.” And Seerla, of course, but if she hadn’t been implicated thus far, Thirtyx wasn’t bringing her up now.

Rhea didn’t take her eyes off Thirtyx the entire way out the door, and she hesitated for a full five fracs before she let it snap closed. Thirtyx barely heard it over the rushing in his ears. Immediately after came the itch in his brain.

He ignored it.

“Would you mind casting a silencing spell on the door?” he muttered. Even his own voice sounded muffled and distant.

The headmistress raised an eyebrow, but she complied. “It’s been a hard day, Venmagalion, so you should know that I’m mostly humoring you for entertainment. I’m not sure what you could possibly say to make me reconsider.”

“What if I told you how the twins got off campus the night of the Peace Garden attack?”