Guy led us back through the city’s various shortcuts. It was my turn to make him blush as I hooked an arm around his waist and hopped over small buildings and debris. We arrived back in front of the Cyran Courthouse without a moment to spare.
“Remind me never to do that after eating.” Guy mumbled, steadying his wobbling legs.
“It gets easier with time, trust me.”
“Always do–” he stopped, coughing into his sleeve to hide the crimson creeping up his neck.
“Right, we should go meet your dad.”
“Yep.” Guy ushered me past the guards, though this time they murmured and lowered their gaze around me. I could hear hints of their whispers; how I dressed like a civil servant and not the great dragon they expected me to be. I must be an imposter.
Folks, I wish I were. Hell, part of me wishes I was locked in Sanctuary, but I’m not. I’m here, suffering fools.
I made a quick detour by the archives, grabbing my choker on the way. I might be mad at Wyatt, but whatever happens here next feels like I shouldn’t do this alone.
And Guy was wonderful–digital or real–but he wasn’t Wyatt.
I didn’t miss the slightly pained face he made when I came out of the archive room. He brushed it aside, nodding at me.
“Ready to go?”
“Yes,” I nodded.
“Good. Er…try not to let Dad get under your skin. He can be a jerk, but he means well.”
“Would you believe that I’m used to that already?” I glanced at the gem on my chest and smiled. It grew slightly warm at my touch, good, it probably means Wyatt heard me.
Steeling myself, I walked with Guy through the much bigger golden doors into a large chamber with grand desks and chairs facing forward. Though there were seats for at least a dozen people, only 2 people sat before me. One of them I was already intimately familiar with, yet the other was a sleek, slender, gorgeous woman with high cheekbones and pale skin.Her long white hair fell to her knees yet never impeded her steps. She looked like what a swan would be if it were human.
“Your parents?” I whispered, low and nervous.
“Adopted parents, but yes. They’ll love you, don’t worry.” His confidence was comforting, but I was still sweating bullets.
When the woman’s eyes settled on me, she paused. A flicker of fear and awe caught my attention. Her bow is what caught me off guard. Rupert raised a brow, but only bowed his head and placed a hand over his heart. Odd.
“Great Wyrm, you have come home to us at last. We did not know when you would arrive, but—”
I raised my hands, shaking my head. “Please, just call me Sapphyra. And I’m not a Great Wyrm or even a small one–I’m just a janitor.”
“I knew it.What a waste of potential.” Rupert said, shaking his head with a twisted frown that puffed out his cheeks.
“Dad,” Guy started, but one glance from me let him know I was fine.
“Sapphyra…such a humble name. Do you not wish for people to know your title? Ah, my apologies! It is rude not to introduce ourselves. I am High Dragon Valaria. This is my husband, High Dragon Rupert. Together with the other 10 members, we make up the council of Dragons—the ruling authority of Cyran City.”
It's pointless to argue about titles right now; besides, I’m more interested in what the hell the wall is for.
“So you got rid of the police and made soldiers out of civilians?” Just saying it left a bitter taste on my tongue.
“We did not. Every soldier you see running around is born into the position or handpicked by our son, Guy. No one is forced to fight if that makes you feel any better.” Her voice was earnest and her eyes were wide and soft with compassion, but she still gave me the fucking creeps.
I can see why Rupert picked her.
“Interesting. And you’re at war with the mushroom people? Why?”
Here comes the lie.
“They threaten our way of life and our loved ones with their very existence.” Rupert growled out. I tried not to glare at him. It's not his fault that Sanctuary made a copy of him for an unknown reason–I shouldn’t take it out on him.
“How so?” I crossed my arms. The gem on my neck grew warmer, almost hot. Wyatt didn’t like this though I wondered why he stayed hidden when his existence is already known to these people.
Guy frowned, “I’ll explain if it's alright with the High Dragons.” His parents nodded.
“Sapph, the capps–that's what we call them–give off some sort of invisible spore. It’s not fatal to us or anyone with descendant blood, but a pure human? Even with a few hundred yards' distance, their spores spread out and kill any humans on sight. It’s why our population keeps dropping.”
That must be why the wall is up.
My heart broke as his voice grew thick with raw pain.
“For every one baby we make, four humans die. It’s not fair; we used to have so many people here. Cyran city used to be great.”
Sounds like something I used to say back when I wore the cape and tights.
Something slammed nearby, snapping my attention onto it like a magnet. It was Rupert; his fist was now on the desk in front of him. It ripped in two when he pulled his fist out.
“Dammit, dad, we just had that replaced!” Guy groaned.
“Here, hang on, let me get that.” I called out.
“You? What will you do? Clean it up? Ha. Fitting. Trash taking out the trash.”
“Rupert!” Valeria turned on her husband, glaring at him. I doubt she was upset by his words, more just angry he couldn’t hold it in.
I’m liking these people less and less.
“No, Valeria. I told you we should have had that statue torn down ages ago! Look at her, look at the absolute disappointment she is to dragonkind! She should be decimating those freaks and clearing the land for us–her people!” He turned to me, pointing a finger at my chest—something I detested.
My people? Most of them died a century ago. My mom, my friends—hell, all that’s left of Wyatt is a ghost. But Rupert knew that and he didn’t give a fuck. All that mattered was what I could do for him.
“Careful, High Dragon Rupert. I’m just the janitor but even I have feelings.”
I stepped forward; the ground rumbling beneath my feet, growing louder and louder. Guys' eyes widened, and Valeria slid out of my way, bowing to me as I passed.
I could feel it, my old power shifting beneath my bones, begging to be freed, to rip into this asshole. My wings were gone, but my body remembered them, remembered how it felt slashing into tyrants with ease.
“You’re right though, you should tear it down. Cus that’s not who I really am.” He paused at my words, body locking in place as I stood within slapping distance.
“Wanna know who I am? Who I really am?”
A dangerous smile slowly spread like oil on water across his face.
My head tilted,the lower corner of my mouth dragged down in disgust as I gritted my teeth.
Now I understand why Sanctuary gave me this class…this power. It’s not time to be a superhero anymore.
But it’s damn sure time to stand up for something!
“I’m the person who’s come here to clean up Cyran City, starting with shit stains like you!”
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