Ferro vibrated, about to Catalyze as Violet approached. He was a First Gen, and from the scales she saw shimmer at his skin’s surface, an Obsidian Dragon. She launched at him and slapped the cuff on his wrist. He yanked her, sending her crashing to the floor with him.
He got a good look at Violet. “How in the hell…”
She shoved him into the cell and opened her mouth to tear out his throat. A force, hot and heavy, pushed her back out into the hallway and slammed the door shut. The lock clicked all by itself.
How in the hell right back at you.
“Violet, I need help!”
Mia was struggling with Kade, who was now out of his cell and dashing himself against the walls.
Beckett was still held in the net, though he didn’t seem to be doing much to break free and stop them. He only gave them a sympathetic look as they pulled Kade down the hall to the fire exit. They weren’t going to risk the elevator, navigating the stairs instead. Not easy with a thrashing Kade.
They burst out of the fire exit door, and Violet whistled the Get ready! signal the moment she opened the door. Jessup’s presence inside the room surprised her, but only a little. The plan had been for her brothers to wait outside, but Jessup had never been one to follow directions. He helped them get Kade through the morgue. Ryan held the other door, and Violet barely noticed the man tied up on one of the exam tables, a terrified look on his face.
“How’d you get in?” Violet asked once they exited.
“Guy came out for a cig break. We were ready; we saw the butts all over the ground.”
They pulled Kade toward Violet’s SUV. Ryan opened the back door, pushed Kade in, then followed him, having to fight him the whole way; even with his arms immobile. Mia climbed in with them. Jessup and Violet jumped into the front seats, and she sped off.
Ryan sat on Kade, holding down his shoulders. “What the hell did they do to him?”
“Bore!” Mia cried, her wide eyes going to Violet. “That’s what he said, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, but I have no idea?—”
“Bore orb! Oh, gods.” She gasped, covering her mouth. “I see it in his eyes.”
“Mia, what’s a bore orb?” Violet asked in a calm way, fear tightened her chest.
“It’s an orb. Oh, gods, oh, gods…”
“Yeah, I got that.” Violet was about to explode. “I saw something dark moving in the mist of his eyes. What does it do?”
“I’ve never seen one, only heard about them. They come from Shadow Magick. Black magick,” she clarified. “It bores into a person’s mind, destroying their thoughts, and makes them insane.”
Violet shot a quick look at Kade, who was moving the only thing he could beneath Ryan’s weight: his head.
“Dad…” he uttered, pain in his voice.
“How do we get it out of him?” Violet asked.
“I…don’t know.” The first bit of hope lit Mia’s face. “I can call my professor in the Guard Academy. She knows about Shadow Magick.”
“Try not to sound too freaked out. You don’t want to raise suspicion.”
Mia’s hands were shaking as she went through her contact list on her phone. “Professor Double, it’s Mia Kavanaugh…good, thanks.” Mia grimaced at the lie. “I need your help on…a case. Someone was given a Black Bore Orb…yeah, it’s awful.” Her voice broke. “We need to know how to get it out.…no, we aren’t in a position to bring the patient to you. Can you talk me through it?”
Mia nodded as she listened. “Uh huh…oh. I don’t know how long ago he got it, but?—”
“He called me two hours ago,” Violet whispered. “I think that’s when he was caught.”
“Two hours, probably less.” Mia’s face fell again as she listened to the professor. “We have to try…all right, I’ll call if I need you.”
“Should we take Kade to this person?” Violet asked.
“No, she’s bound by duty to report it.”
