Starrlings 1: House of Fire

chapter 81

Zacharellis had Tai writing lines, and it seemed like he was the only one slated for detention today. Ari watched him, sitting with a rigidly straight back at the desk, with his dark eyes fixed on his paper in front of him. He seemed the picture of measured calm, and yet she knew his mind must be boiling over. Surely he was mad to be here.

Ari fidgeted at her spot in the windowsill, where she sat snug behind the curtain, peeking through across the hallway towards the classroom. From here, she was invisible to Tai and Professor Zacharellis. However, if anyone had chanced to look up from the courtyard downstairs, and peered at the window, they would have seen Ari through the glass.

As the morning wore on, Ari noticed that Tai glanced at the clock more often. The time piece was hung just above Zacharellis's head, but Ari was sure Tai was glancing up at those hands as they moved through the hours. Was he waiting for a time to leave? Was he thinking about what events were supposed to unfold in his plan at these specific times?

She desperately wished she had a way to know how Sanna and the others were doing.

Hours passed, and it approached lunch time, and Ari felt herself thinking of what the school dining hall would be serving today. She was craving the flaky sea bass they served on Saturdays, but as the first hour of lunch time ended she knew she would have missed out. Her stomach grumbled.

Zacharellis would have to release Tai for lunch eventually, Ari was sure, but then she realised she was mistaken when a young light starrling student came up the stairs, bearing a tray laden with two large plates. Ari could smell the sea bass, and at the smell her stomach rumbled more.

When Ari saw the girl, with her neat plaits and her dark brows and her long nose, she realised exactly what had happened. This girl was here because Doctor Hart had instructed her to come. Which meant that Tai was in detention because Doctor Hart had instructed it, not because Zacharellis felt Tai needed to be punished.

Ari's heart lifted. If Doctor Hart was on their side - if the chancellor was personally ensuring that Tai remained trapped at the school - then there was hope.

Ari watched as Zacharellis opened the door for the young girl, and took the trays from her with a curt thank you. From her position, she was able to watch as Zacharellis delivered the plate of fish directly to Tai's desk.

Tai's revolted expression put a smile on Ari's face, but then he stood up. Ari moved barely a split second after he did, but it was already too late.

Tai took the plate and smashed it to the floor, and in almost the same movement he shot a burst of fire directly at the professor's chest. Zacharellis had absolutely no warning, and could do nothing but reel backwards from the flame, screaming.

At this moment Ari was already through the door to the classroom, and she couldn't believe she was going to get herself killed to save Zacharellis's neck. Tai stood over the teacher, who was writhing with agony on the floor. He spared a momentary glance at Ari, but didn't seem surprised to see her. Instead, he bent low over Zacharellis's face.

"You insulted the Princess of Kakaio," Tai said. "You're worthless vermin, and I'll burn you as such."

Ari tried to stop Tai with magic, but her power was weak, so she did the first thing she thought of, which was to grab one of the wooden chairs and hurl it at Tai's back.

He ducked out of the way of the chair with ease and then sent a slash of molten fire across Zacharellis's neck. Ari screamed as she watched the fire cut through the professor's skin.

"No!" she screamed, rushing forward, trying to pull at the coldness and frost in the air, but nothing came to her.

Tai turned to her. "I heard there's an important match today. I wouldn't want to miss it. You wouldn't, either."

She knelt over Zacharellis's body, but it was useless. The fire had charred too deeply at his skin. Tai had killed the teacher, with barely a flicker of emotion. Ari cowered, not daring to move as the fire prince stepped over the lifeless body, then over the smashed plate of fish, and walked out of the classroom.

• Author's Note •

Thanks for reading! I haven't asked you a question for the last few chapters, but now I'll ask one. And of course, it'll be a very important and interesting question...

What did you eat for breakfast today?!

p.s. an extra big thank you to all those that vote!! Remember that voting helps support authors, and if you're enjoying a book, you should support an author however you can! I'd like to think you're enjoying this story, since you're now 81 chapters in (whoa), so I'd love to think that every single one of you who reads this story will grant me a vote. Yes, even you, reading this right now!!

They cost nothing and they make an author happy! Why not! :D

see youuuu next chapter!

elle xx