Qibli x reader: Chasing Stars

Chapter 19

(I have one question. How on earth did Flame know Star (Or Moon, I guess) was in his mind? No other dragons can do that. Imma go bang my head on that wall now.)

I tried not to react. Darkstalker was ominously silent, for once. I wondered what he was doing. I saw Moon tense up ahead of me, but she stared ahead blankly.

I wanted to bolt out of that room as fast as I could. Flame was glaring at all the NightWings in suspicion. He looked really vicious, and I made sure to back the heck up to Qibli.

'How did he know?' I asked Darkstalker frantically. 'I've never seen anyone do that! How could he notice that I was there?' I asked in a gigantic panic.

'I don't think he knew exactly what was happening. I don't want to risk probing deeper while he's on the defensive like that. I suspect he felt... a presence. He can't be sure it was  a mind reader, especially if you stay calm.'

I was relieved Darkstalker was talking again. 'And where were you?' I huffed in my thoughts. I heard an amused snort from Darkstalker. 'Sorry. I was letting Moon know about your situation. Also, I now have another reason to hate IceWings, thanks Winter.'

I snorted, and then turned my attention to Sunny's speech. "That's all we had to say. Please come see us if you feel like you want to leave, or if you have any questions. There are no classes today, but we're here to take groups out hunting, swimming, or flying. Also, the art and music caves are both open. We'll let you know what we decide about tomorrow."

Sunny turned to Clay, and the students became a milling mob of whispers and flashing teeth. I simply pressed closer to Qibli.

"Are you okay?" He asked. I realized I was still shook up from my shock of Flame noticing my presence in his mind. I shook it off. Qibli steered me into a corner and opened up his wings to shield me from the other dragons, as though he wanted to make sure I was safe forever. Thoughts still ran rampant through my mind, and the scary thought of Flame figuring out who had been snooping in his mind made me almost weak. I couldn't focus, or block anything.

Qibli's mind was speeding forward already. 'I wonder if reading minds is tiring. Is it an infinite resource, or is it a power that drains as she uses it? Or is it more like a muscle that gets stronger the more she exercises it? Sure wish I'd had a skill like that when I was living at home; could have dodged a few more attacks from Sirocco and Rattlesnake. Maybe could have figured out how to make mom like me. Star looks like someone dropped a mountain on her head.' He thought. "You look tired. Are you okay?" He asked in concern.

"I had a weird experience in Flame's head. It's horrible in there." I whispered, my wings drooping. Qibli definitely looked startled now. 'What is it like? What happened? Is she okay? What did he do to her?' He thought.

"Did he do it?" He asked instead, wrapping one warm wing around me. He flicked his poisonous tail nervously, and his brain began to work again. 'Did he bring the cactus from the Sky Kingdom or find it somewhere near Jade Mountain and how long has he been planning this and how did Scarlet choose him and-'

"Stop!" I yelped, putting my claws on my snout. "I don't think it was him. I don't think it was any of them. Pike, Icicle, Flame, they were all thinking about the fire like someone else did it."

"Camel farts!" Qibli cursed. "They all seemed like perfect suspects." He growled, and I noticed how his gaze shifted to Moon and Winter, and I definitely did not like the thoughts in his head. "Yes. They may all still do something terrible, just not this particular thing." I pointed out.

He glanced at me, his gaze softening. "Was that a prophecy? Did you have visions of them?" He asked. "No. Just guessing." I said.

Qibli glanced back at Winter, Icicle, and Moon. They were leaving the hall with the other IceWings in tow. "If you know that," He said thoughtfully. "If you had a list of the dragons with the darkest thoughts, you could keep track of them. You could check their minds every day and catch them if they're planning something. You'd know who to keep an eye on." 'Like Thorn's potential enemies list, but even more targeted, with more inside information.' His mind mused.