I gape for a split second, but it's as if my phoenix can understand the command in the name alone, and it makes my magic burn brighter with rage.
“Do it, Teddy,” Archer snaps, and the Water Protector ruffles his blonde hair, uncertainty warring in his eyes as I smile at him.
“Do what he wants and control me. But make me do what you want, and I promise, you will lose me forever.”
Silence bleeds around the room for what feels like an eternity before Teddy drags the chair out beside him and falls into it. He nods at me, silently offering me an out, and I take it, barreling toward the exit.
I run like my life depends on it.
It feels like it does.
To my surprise, I make it out into the open air without issue, and I dart across campus, refusing to slow down as frustration continues to build inside of me.
What did Professor Viola mean by orange eyes? It doesn’t make sense.
Regardless, I feel like I'm losing myself.
The fire’s burning bright inside of me, and despite the struggles that take hold inside of me, I’m too scared to be alone.
Nearing the main academy campus building, I find groups of students continuing with life as if mine isn’t falling apart, and I slow my steps, attempting to blend into the fold, but it takes everything in me to make my way toward the dining hall.
Breathless, I step inside and sag with relief at the sight of my friends at their usual table. Toby catches my attention first, waving me over, and I dart between the tables to join them as quickly as possible, collapsing into my seat between Meadow and Dorian.
Meadow gapes at me, placing her hand on top of mine as uncertainty flashes in her eyes.
“Are you okay?” she asks as Dorian nudges a bottle of water toward me.
I chug half of it down before answering.
“Define okay?” I mutter as Dorian offers me his plate of food. Clearly, the tension isn't just riddled inside of me; it’s floating out of me too.
I take three bites of his cheeseburger before I can finally feel my breathing regulating a little more.
“Bestie, what do you need?” Meadow mutters, and I scoff.
“Killing,” I bite, and her eyes widen.
“I can get a shovel.”
I scoff. “Not someone else. Me.”
“Huh? Come again,” she breathes, and I roll my eyes at myself.
“I’d rather not die, but the blissful peace and rest that comes of it is rather alluring right now,” I admit, my gaze instinctively snapping to the entrance just in time to see my hated mates.
The tension around me escalates, but seeing Sax still in his tiger form has a way of calming the madness inside of me a little more.
“I’m assuming it has something to do with them?” Meadow clarifies, and I hum.
“When does it not?” I mutter, and my friend runs her hand down my arm, forcing my attention back to her as she offers me a smile.
“Ivy, I don't think it's death you need. It's a girl's night.”
I shake my head. “I don’t?—”
She presses her finger to my lips, shushing me as her eyes glisten with mischief.
“Leave it to me.”
