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“HOW IS SHE?” I ASKED Collette as she stroked Aella’s head gently. They had carried out her sentence and it seemed the girl was still in a bit of shock. They had been particularly cruel, tossing her out of the Seelie Court with little more on her than a sack of cloth to cover her.
“She’ll be okay. Won’t you sweetheart?” Collette cooed as Aella sniffled, wiping at her face.
“My whole family... Abandoned me. I’m all alone.”
“Not all alone. Your sister Marigold, she risked much to see that you were administered that little bit of anesthetic, and she got your stuff from your parents’ home before your sentence was carried out, so you are not without supporters.” I took a step toward her and she pulled her knees up to her chest with a whimper. Her scales were raised, covering her legs and arms. Apparently I rubbed her the wrong way. That was not going to fly, not when I had a mind to use her in some fashion. I looked at Collette sternly and she nodded.
“Aella, honey, you need to look to us to fill that ache you have. It’s the only way you are gonna get through this and come out on top. Greisen here comes from an affluent family in Manchester. His father has a High seat on the Senate. He is a very good friend to have.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I don’t know what to do now, and I’m scared that I’m going to hurt someone.”
“Can I share a secret with you?” I knelt down to her, rolling back on my heels to keep my balance as I reached out, lifting her chin so she would look at me. “See, I have a secret. But you have to promise it doesn’t leave the room. Okay?”
She nodded, looking at me curiously. I shrugged my shoulders, cracking my neck, and as I did so my wings unfurled to their full width behind me, then curled forward, the talons on their ends scraping the rug at our feet.
“You’re a Dragonborn?” Aella gasped, her eyes going wide. “I thought... But... I don’t scent you.”
“That’s because I’m a Half blood, mostly Vampire, turned in the womb. Apparently my father is not my father. I found out a few months ago, when these babies popped.” I ran my finger along the razor sharp edge of my wing, cutting it open, the pain was exquisite. Collette opened her mouth to receive the few drops I was willing to give her, letting them fall on her extended tongue. Her eyes rolled back as she moaned in satisfaction, her fingers running up to her breasts.
“See, unlike you, I do not have a Dragon form, nor do I possess a subdermal weapon of superior quality. What I do have is a taste for fine things and an inherent need to be the best at the things I do. Right now, I am looking for likeminded individuals to help me at Grigori. You, my beautiful creature, could be most helpful.”
“Me? How?”
She was beginning to relax, her scales fading back into her flesh, turning it back to its even tan complexion.
“I haven’t worked it out just yet, but just being with us for now will be helpful.” I reached out, patting her head gently, running my hands through her long hair. She needed a shower and clean clothes. “Let’s have Collette help you get cleaned up. Our flight back to Massachusetts leaves in a few hours.”
Aella nodded her reply, letting Collette follow her out of the room. This would be perfect. With a Dragonborn on my side, there was an endless amount of damage that could be done at Grigori. Damage that could be attributed to the other Dragon, Siegfried Rembrandt, if I so chose. With Collette’s urging, she could also be used to isolate the beast, leaving Lord Keegan exposed to any number of issues. I may not have been able to kill him last semester as planned, but I would figure out a way to take down the Deviant Class and crush his spirit. It would take some time and finesse, but it could be accomplished.