Chapter 46
The burden of inheritance was that someone else’s war became your responsibility.
~ Rebel Beast
It seemed Maverick’s words got to Caelis because, for a moment, the basilisk prince didn’t speak.
Or so they thought.
Caelis leaned in slightly and replied in the same arrogant tone.
“Unfortunately, there’s no future where that’s going to happen, so save the speech p>
His silver eyes narrowed.
“And be careful these days. This isn’t the Asterion Region. The beasts might start wondering where your loyalties truly lie p>
“Is that a threat?” Maverick flexed his shoulders. There was something almost eager in his expression now. “Because you should be careful who you threaten. Especially when that person happens to control whether you pass this semester or spend another year repeating it p>
A scowl immediately appeared on Caelis’ face. His serpent tongue flicked out.
“Just because you have Warrick in your pocket doesn’t mean you can abuse your authority p>
“Really?” Maverick sounded delighted now. “I suppose nobody taught you that threatening your professor comes with consequences p>
He gestured dismissively. “So why don’t you run back to your father and complain? I’d love to see Njord Cobryn form an investigation committee over your hurt feelings p>
That hit a nerve. Threatening his grades was one thing, but insinuating he was his father’s lapdog was another entirely.
It wasn’t easy to read Caelis’ thoughts. The basilisk prince had built formidable walls around his mind over the years. Perhaps because he was angry, Maverick caught a glimpse through the cracks.
Turn him to stone.
The thought flashed through his head so clearly that Maverick braced himself when Caelis’ pupils narrowed into slits and a faint glow appeared in his eyes.
“Do it,” Maverick challenged him. “I dare you p>
The glow intensified.
“Petrify me if you can stomach the consequences p>
For a moment, neither of them moved. The tension became so thick even the patrol team seemed reluctant to breathe. They all stood on edge, waiting for the slightest excuse to move.
Caelis’ eyes flickered. They brightened, then dimmed, before brightening again like a dying light struggling to stay alive. The internal battle was written plainly across his face.
Then, with a frustrated hiss, his pupils rounded once more and the glow vanished completely. He had lost the argument with himself.
From the side, Rhydian chuckled.
“Your frustration is almost a sexy sight. Sadly, I’ve never had a thing for snakes p>
It was a good thing Caelis had calmed down a little, otherwise Rhydian might have become a statue from the sheer intensity of that glare.
Rhydian rolled his eyes. Did the worm think glaring at people made him more intimidating? All he needed to do was gouge out those fancy eyes and the problem would solve itself.
Probably.
Caelis finally tore his attention away from Rhydian and focused on Maverick instead.
His gaze burned with enough intensity to set something on fire.
“We’ll see who wins in the end p>
That was all he said before turning away.
Though not before casting one lingering glance toward the residence. The bodies were probably still inside. He hadn’t seen anyone move them yet. If he could just get one look, his curiosity would finally be satisfied.
Unfortunately, Maverick Nightshade was watching him like a hawk and would probably freeze him in place before he made it three steps.
Which meant he would have to do this the serpent way, wait, watch and let the information come to him.
Caelis left.
Satisfied that the serpent wasn’t going to cause any more trouble for now, Maverick turned to return to the residence when he noticed Rhydian was still standing there.
“What are you still doing here?” he barked. “Waiting for your turn to threaten me too p>
“Quite the contrary,” Rhydian said. “I’m here to inform you that whoever is responsible for this will be punished by my own hands p>
He said it a little too loudly, his eyes flickering toward the residence window for the briefest second.
“Good for you. That’s House Aetheris’ business, not Therion’s,” Maverick replied, thoroughly unimpressed.
“Fine,” Rhydian said with a shrug. “Then let’s settle it in the Arena p>
At the mention of the Arena, Maverick’s eyes sharpened. So did the attention of the patrol team.
Dimitri immediately stepped forward.
“You are a teacher, Maverick,” he warned cautiously. “Don’t do it p>
But Rhydian had already caught the scent of blood and like a fisherman reeling in a hooked catch, he pressed his advantage.
“Teacher or not, everyone is welcome in the Arena p>
He looked toward the patrol team, smiling with the confidence of a salesman pitching a dream.
“You want revenge for what happened today, don’t you? What healthier way to settle things than in the Arena? Or are you afraid I’ll beat the ass of your revered leader p>
Murmurs immediately spread through the patrol team.
Maverick heard them. More importantly, he understood exactly what Rhydian was doing.
The Arena was an underground fighting ground operated by the students. Officially, it didn’t exist. Unofficially, everyone knew about it.
It was where grudges were settled, where rivalries ended, and sometimes where lives did too. Most matches stopped before reaching that point, but when House Aetheris and House Ophidian were involved, things had a habit of escalating.
Since the participants were usually beasts, the academy often looked the other way. Now Rhydian was trying to drag a professor into it.
Of course the answer should have been no.
Except after today’s attack, Maverick could see it in the eyes of the patrol team. They wanted him to accept.
“Let’s be honest, Professor Sexy Pants,” Rhydian began, causing Maverick’s jaw to tighten.
“You’ve been looking for an excuse to beat the shit out of me all morning. Why not take the opportunity while it lasts p>
His grin became downright insufferable.
“Or are you scared p>
The murmurs grew louder.
“Maybe all that talk about Violet Purple’s heir being powerful is just that. Talk p>
Rhydian spread his hands.
“Or perhaps you’ve spent so much time relying on your powers that you’ve forgotten how real beasts settle their disputes p>
Rhydian was goading him. That much was obvious. The problem was that it was working.
Maverick considered the alternatives. This was no longer just about him. If he turned down the challenge, Therion would find another way to seek revenge and he might not be able to control what happened next.
Secondly, his family’s legacy had been dragged into the conversation. Perhaps it was time to remind these children how to respect their elders. No—scratch that, teachers.
Maverick’s lips tilted into a dangerous smile.
“I’m in p>
Rhydian lifted his chin in satisfaction.
It was settled.