Page 120

Neville had plopped down on the floor amongst the First Years and begun licking one paw. He was purring.

“He’s not afraid of them. What if he can smell it? The sickness. He growled at Jacklyn. He must have known she was infected.”

Kage looked skeptical. “He’s an animal.”

I shot him a look of disbelief, and he crossed his arms.

“That’s different.”

“Fine. But fluffins have healing abilities,” I insisted. “They can sense things we can’t.” I turned to Rodriguez. “Tell him.”

The professor looked doubtful. “You seem to know more about these creatures than I do.” He looked at Kage. “But we were both there when …” They exchanged a glance.

“When what?” I demanded.

“When Neville told Nyxaris to save you,” Kage answered.

I stared. “He what?”

“That’s what it looked like to me, too,” Rodriguez agreed. “I think that fluffin spoke to your dragon.”

Medra hadn’t told me that. Nyxaris, did Neville tell you to save me? To bond with me?

I am well, thank you for asking. The dragon sounded cross and slightly bored. I am perched at the top of the tower. Not that anyone has bothered to ask after my whereabouts.

I’m well, too, I said quickly. We’re in the Avari infirmary.

Yes, I can tell you are not in mortal danger … at the moment, he said dryly. A pause. The fluffin did play a part. He … sang to me. Reminded me.

Reminded you of what?

That it would be good to have a rider. That you were worthy of life.

Thank you for listening to him, I whispered. I took a deep breath and looked at Kage. “Lunaya once told Medra and me that there were stories of fluffins appearing in times of great upheaval.” I raised my arms and gestured. “Look at what’s happening here.”

“That’s not exactly evidence, Florence,” Rodriguez pointed out.

“You want evidence?” I said, my voice rising a little. “Let’s take Neville down to the Avari common room. So far, all of the infected have been highbloods, not blightborn. Haven’t you noticed?”

Kage and Rodriguez looked at one another.

“She’s right,” Rodriguez said finally. “The ones who attacked the First Year infirmary had broken into the tower. They weren’t blightborn.”

“The Bloodguard who attacked Neville. The girls who were … feeding back in the hall,” I listed. “They were highbloods, too.”

Kage’s eyes narrowed. He seemed to be weighing possibilities. “Fine. Let’s go. You and the fluffin. Down to the common room. If the infection is in this tower, we need to find it.”

I swallowed hard. “Right.” I went over to Neville, scooping him back up. I ran my hand over his head. “You’re up, little one,” I whispered. “We need you. Please help us. I’m counting on you.”

Kage’s boots pounded down the stairs. I followed, still bare-foot; I hadn’t even had a chance to run back to my room and fetch shoes yet. In my arms, Neville had gone tense and still. His nose was raised to the air as if he were tracking a scent.

The Avari common room was packed shoulder to shoulder. I could tell many students had come out of their rooms to see what was going on. The moment Kage strode in, all talk died down.

“You can do this,” I whispered to Neville. “I know you can.”

The fluffin gave a tiny yap. Kage nodded to me. I set Neville down on the carpet. For a moment, he stood there, sniffing. Then, he gave a low growl and padded straight towards a lanky Second Year standing by the hearth talking to a friend. I recognized the boy—it was Andrew, the same highblood who’d asked if he could take Neville home for his little sister. I bit my lip, hoping Neville wasn’t simply holding a grudge.

Kage marched over. “Injuries?”