6

Not even a spark glowed from the crystals. They stood as dull as the moment before Layla touched the largest one and even seemed duller. Murmurs and whispers rose up from the auditorium, and multiple lips sneered at her.

She dropped her hand and bowed her head, tears pricking in her eyes. She stepped away from the crystals, wanting to bolt to the door to run from it all. To where? She had nowhere to go. She knew no one.

“Silent!” Headmaster Brenton’s voice boomed through the auditorium, and a hush fell.

“You’re Layla Dele, the human girl?” he said as he walked to her and scrutinized her.

“Yes, sir.” She nodded.

What was he going to say? Mock her? Pity her? Was he going to kick her out?

“I sense great power inside you,” he mused, and she stiffened. He did? Was that what Alaric had talked about?

“But I also feel a block.” He pressed his thumb on her forehead and mumbled some strange words.

Layla gasped, sucking in air, as if she were pulled out of water, and a co