“Power outage.”
23
IVY
Flames flicker to life in people's hands around the room, offering a gentle glow and the opportunity to see into the pits of darkness. My gaze darts down to my hands, considering whether or not I should join in, to add a touch more brightness, but I quickly decide against it.
I place my hands behind my back instead, not trusting myself or my ability to set everything on fire when my hand comes into contact with Sax’s. It's only then that I realize how my mates have taken a protective stance around me.
Sax is right behind me, Baron to my left, Teddy to my right, and Archer has somehow leapt over the table, standing on the other side with a flame flickering in his hand.
Tension thickens in the room as everybody glances at one another, and unspoken accusations shimmer in their eyes.
“Our power grid is growing more fragile,” Professor Carbon declares. "I say we call the event and put an end to this madness,” she declares.
“The consequences,” Silas snaps.
“Fuck the consequences,” Francesca interjects.
“We're already dealing with them. Let's focus on the matter at hand, shall we?” my brother states, his voice cutting throughthe air like thunder, or it might be actual thunder that ricochets outside, based on his magic and mood.
“Protocols first,” Viola declares, concern pulsing in the air.
“Protocols?” I breathe, but the question goes unheard as everyone starts to speak at once.
“I’ll take the perimeter.”
“I’ll take the academy building.”
“I’ll take the shoreline.”
“The sky is mine.”
“I’ll take you home,” Teddy declares, and I rear back, staring at him with wide eyes.
It's hard to make out much of the room, but up close, with Archer’s help, I can see Teddy enough to see confusion in his eyes too.
“What? Why? I want to help,” I insist.
“Anyone who has attended for the first time today is not to partake,” Professor Viola declares, putting an end to my plea before I can even really begin. “Return to your dorms immediately.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat outside of my wall of hated mates gains my attention, and my eyes latch on to Silas's, but he's too busy looking at Teddy.
“You take the water, I'll take her back to the Fire Protectors’ building.”
“No,” Baron grunts, the closest one to him. “Teddy will take her and head down to the water afterward.”
“Someone should stay with her,” Silas insists.
“That's not your concern, and the task has already been assigned to one of her mates. He'll return to her as soon as possible,” Baron reiterates, but Silas doesn’t buy it.
Shaking his head, he wags a finger in the dragon rider’s face. “No, I?—”
“Stop arguing. We need to move. Now.” Hugo's voice is like a knife, cutting through the argument in one swift move, leaving no room for debate.
“Maybe someone around here will start talking sense eventually,” Archer grunts.
“Don't hold your breath,” Sax whispers.
