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Michael took a few steps towards us, and the warning growl that emanated from Ethan was frightening. I snapped my gaze to his face and frowned at the look I saw there. Pure fury was etched into every line, and his teeth bared like a wolf about to pounce. He could sense what I saw in my only friend on this campus. 

Or who I thought was my friend. I was starting to question that decision.

Ethan’s voice rumbling against my head brought me back from inside my mind. “Take one more step, and I’ll rip your fucking head off.”

Michael wisely froze, his eyes growing wide in what I assumed was supposed to be a mock surprise. “I don’t know what crawled up your ass, man, but I almost died there!”

Ethan scoffed and gently unraveled himself from around me, stepping forward. “You’re joking, right?” He stopped and crossed his arms, muscles bulging on purpose to intimidate the younger Dragon. Michael started to step backward from Ethan but forced himself to stand his ground. Ethan’s move worked.

“I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe you should step away from Ellie? You’re not in your right mind.” Michael’s smirk reminded me of the Cheshire cat. He seemed to know something or think he was smart.

“I will do no such thing when facing the man that is not only actively trying to take my Bond from me but also allowed the Shadows entrance into the school itself.” Ethan’s voice was low, covered in ice, and the shiver that ran up my spine caused my body to shake.

“Ethan, what are you talking about?” I touched his shoulder gently, and he glanced back at me, his eyes softening just a bit.

“It’s something I was mulling over before they broke through. How Rachel had been looking at us, how Michael,” he waved his hand at the boy, “was so persistent that you go with him. Even though he should not have been running around free when all others were already on lockdown.”

Michael laughed, “You’re delusional. I would never-”

Ethan glared back at him, “I have proof, of course. I saw it after I fought and destroyed the Behemoth.” Michael’s mouth dropped open. Ethan nodded, “I suspect you’d thought it would kill me. Sorry, still here.” He spread his hands in front of him and smirked.

Michael stepped back then and stuttered, eyes getting bigger as Ethan moved towards him like a prowling cat. “I-I don’t know w-what you mean.” 

“Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean.” Ethan stopped then as Michael fell against the wall behind him. Ethan reached behind him and pulled something from his pockets that I hadn’t seen before.

“Ellie doesn’t know what this is…but I do. And so do you.” He threw it down at Michael, and the young man looked at it then back up to Ethan, his eyes narrowing at the older Dragon.

“That isn’t mine.” Michael’s voice was weak; he knew it was over.

“That’s a load of bullshit, and you know it.” Ethan crouched down and tilted his head. “You know whose prints I was able to sniff out? Hmm?” Michael shook his head slowly. I stood there watching the scene unfold, unable to comprehend that Michael would go so far.

“Fine…what do you want me to say? That I did it so you would be taken out of the picture and leave Ellie free to choose another? That I wanted the power of knowing I could bring down the whole school? Or maybe I hate you? You pick.” Michael stood then, eyes burning with rage and a darkness I hadn’t seen before.

“You admit it then?” Ethan narrowed his eyes and took a menacing step forward one more time.

Michael held his head high, his eyes moving to find mine, and I held them, refusing to look away. “Yes.”

Ethan roared in fury and grabbed Michael, dragging him away from the wall and off towards a hallway. “Ellie! Check on the people inside. I’m taking this fuck to the dungeons!” Michael screamed in anger, and I watched as he kicked and fought Ethan. But my Dragon was much older, much stronger, and it made no difference.

“Oh, Michael…how could you?” He stared back at me for a moment longer before he disappeared around the corner, his gaze now sad. He only mouthed three words before he was gone.

I love you.

I looked away then and fisted my hands in anger. How did I not see this coming? I moved towards the door that held the students and other adults. 

How could I miss Michael’s descent into madness? I stopped and stared at the thing left on the ground. It was metallic, and I had no idea what it was. Crouching down, I reached out to touch it but hissed and drew my hand back when it sparked and singed my fingers with magic. 

Ok, no touchy, got it.

How did Michael get something like this? My mind flashed back to Rachel in the armory. Something told me that we needed to have a long talk with a particular Rider.