For a few moments, I was motionless in my seat and almost missed Sir Strike and Chase's argument. My spirit quickly returned to reality when the mansion's large lobby door opened.Sir Fernando and the rest of the deadlocks were revealed when the door was opened. Each wore a different expression. Some were astounded by the structure and interior of the house, while others wondered and questioned why they were there."Stella! Stella!" Myra yelled from the door. When I turned around, she was already running towards where I was sitting. Angela and the deadlocks' children were following her."Is she all right?" Sir Fernando inquired, concerned. He was staring at me as he spoke to the sitting Sir Dane."She's fine! So far, no missing parts.""All right, then.""Isn't it the perfect time for a hug?" Dane asked as he opened his arms wide to embrace Sir Fernando.Sir Ferns shifted his gaze away from his cousin as if he was caught in an awkward situation."Is he gay, Cheese?" Myra asked, huggin
Back at the school, everything appeared to be operating normally. We continued our regular classes as if there were no danger. Nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. Top teams only conduct occasional scouting missions.Sandro was still a secret to the deadlocks. The Trinity told them that keeping quiet about where Aragon went was best. This was a terrible secret to keep from them, but I knew that I had to ensure their safety. Innocence, I hoped, would be enough to protect them.Our foraging training has come to an end. Ed Vega taught his students about edible wild plants like mushrooms, moss, and berries. The fact that we could put what we learned to use in the real world made the lesson all the more engaging. The training sessions they've been giving us seemed more like practice for an eventuality in which these abilities would be crucial after reading this.It was almost precisely nine o'clock, and we were still outside. While the deadlock children were ten
A pair of quick, fiery feet moved towards the shock point just before the electric ball could hit Mira. Glor Fina's unique countermove to the strong force was like something out of a jaw-dropping circus as she jumped and dashed.She quickly kicked the electricity upward, thanks to her long arms' ability to build up rotational forces as they approached the ball. It clumped together like a little comet and shot back into space.After being rescued by her sister, Mira was left gasping. The eyes slowly opened as she did. She looked shocked and disbelieving in her eyes as they landed on me. What my hands had done even shocked me.The counterattack was unexpected. Leaving the surprise felt like my wrists moved in tandem with the cosmos. Somewhere within me, I discovered a pleasant surprise.Being underestimated worked to my benefit, I thought. What I did wasn't something I felt any remorse about. The way the other students treat the deadlocks, whether they iden
"No one's going to be an abyssal demon, kid."Simultaneously, we looked over to where Sir Ferns had been standing, at the garden's wooden gate. His calm, almost startled expression moved from me to Oswin. I could see the rising irritation in his eyes and hear the shallowness of his breath as he attempted to keep the power above his shoulders from crashing.Everyone in the camp rose to greet the camp leader."Sir Ferns," Mauvi, Regina, Martha, and Lux all ran to him. Before returning to us, the camp's leader ruffled Mauvi's hair.We were all gathered inside the cottage garden, waiting for The Drift beyond the rectangle railing. Perhaps they were waiting for Sir Ferns' approval before splitting us into three groups.Our camp's commander cleared his throat. "There will be a still hour today," he said, "and no one knows the precise time save Lyka Millar, who is currently being kept captive by the black sorcerers.""Is she the girl who was colore
Both Chase's demeanor and response when I came close were unruffled. The slovenly Fabian stood behind Myra and Oswin while they chatted under the willow tree. My eyes met Chase's, and he smiled. My eyes betrayed the residual unease I was trying to conceal. I mustered up the will to seem happy, but my lips quivered. There was no fooling my face. His gaze was questioning. His deep gold eyes peered at every detail of my skin. "A-are you okay?" he asked, not leaving my sight. I had no idea why my cheeks had turned hot. To cover it, I walked by him and toward Myra. I was about to walk away from the man when I felt his warm palm on my left arm. Our skin still shined. It refused to give up. "Don't ever leave my sight," he said possessively. I came to a halt and stared at it. Because of what he said, the strength of my chest beat doubled. I had to raise my head to view his face. "I know you're trying to protect me, Chase, but there are other people wh
"Stella, please don't get up! Stillness has not yet been broken." Isabel, her voice still calm but sad, turned her back on me. She studied the footprints Sir Fernando had left behind. Her head was hung low, and she appeared to be suppressing a sob.All of us, including Isabel, were carrying something we all had in common. In other words, it hurts just as much. Several strategies for restraining or redirecting them in the future. Another ally of ours fell.Another occurrence of this kind has occurred. Our camp leader is the target this time.We had a sibling taken away because of the impasse. There was a guide that went missing. A guiding star that can help us reach safety. The impasses were like a ship full of sailors out on a dark ocean at midnight.I addressed him as "Sir Ferns..." I repeated as my chest heaved with each sob. While Oswin slept, Myra held me in her arms. Despite this, I knew I was on their side regardless of the future.Smoke and
I met Zeri and Faey in the yard outside the Provost Building. Oswin and Myra were contacted by the academy's provost earlier. It also included Isabel, Avi, and a juvenile hybrid named Samantha."There has been a two-hour delay. We need to know what became of them." Impatiently, Faey asked. The rose behind him was almost completely sucked dry. It has created a hobby of carefully removing petals from flowers.Once upon a time, I could read sounds into the Provost Building; now, I can't listen to everyone's heart."Perhaps Renate, the provost, has created a shield around the entire room, Zeri. That suggests they're discussing a sensitive topic and need to take extra safety measures, "I added.Perhaps," acknowledged Zeri, who appeared to have given up on trying to learn what was happening inside the structure.I heaved a sigh and mutter, "I hope sir Ferns is doing well."Together they drew air and whispered, "I hope so."We stood in silen
Fabian didn't even flinch. His eyes shifted from me to the man beside me like hard marble slowly crumbling into powder. He breathed heavily as he swallowed the lump in his throat. A loud female voice from behind Fabian interrupted the action, saying, "All deadlocks, follow me!" Professor Zoe Glynnie, wearing a voluminous purple cloak, stepped out. Her long, glossy locks hung down below her neck. She looked like a living doll with a thick book tucked under her right side. Myra claims that she is a "purple caster" and is highly trusted by Provost Renate because of her skill with purple focus. "Stella!" Myra, standing right behind Professor Zoe, screamed out loudly to me. Oswin sat next to her, looking perplexed. The man fixed his gaze on me and shook his head automatically. They kept walking till the professor was sure where we were. He raised his right eyebrow as he gazed at me. His visage was devoid of any enthusiasm—a blank expression.