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Just the ringing of a thousand bees buzzing inside my head.
Atlys is infected.
Only after all of the Underlings are dead does the Elder Superior dismount. His beady black eyes scan the scene, nose crinkled. Commander Hogsmith joins him on his right, and another figure steps out from the shadows on his left.
Castor. The son. The warrior. The prodigy.
A distant owl accompanies the silence as we all await the Elder Superior’s next words.
“It appears”—he scans the gathering crowd of Watchers with a new level of scrutiny—“the war is not only with the South and the Continent eager for power, but also beneath us.”
Murmurs of agreement.
“New arrangements must be made. Stricter protocols and tighter borders.”
More agreement from the cadets, and dread fills my veins like iron. A sinking feeling knowing that whatever just happened here tonight will change the trajectory of my future. Everyone’s future, as the alliance between races crumbles.
I turn to where Leaf is standing. Both Elven Princes stand tall next to each other, putting aside their rivalries to stand united.
To my surprise, Elder Superior Markus nods in their direction, and both Leaf and Ladon acknowledge him back.
“The council will meet early tomorrow to discuss repercussions. Then an assembly will follow.”
Silence.
Markus nods to Commander Hogsmith, who steps forward. “I will need a full account of what happened tonight. Who’s first?”
42
Square One
Orange and pink rays of sunrise beam through the tall corridor windows. My boots click on the polished floor as I head to the council chambers. Last night, a message was delivered to my room requesting my attendance in the council meeting.
I rehearsed my lines under my breath. “Yes, the Lord of Terraguard was there, but he was protecting us. He is on our side.” The simple solution repeats over and over in my head like a mantra. Before long, I’m standing inside the glass lift. I press the onyx button, and the doors close.
Level Five - Professor Quarters, the genderless voice announces.
That was quick.
The professor quarters are slightly livelier than the rest of the castle. Great doors of thick oak are open along the corridor, revealing glimpses of classroom preparations. I walk past an open door. Professor Gregorio is hunched over his desk, papers littering every inch of the space. One particular illustration stands out on top. In the center is a large circle noted as earth, and around it, a swirling pattern and a much smaller circle—the moon.
Professor Gregorio looks up, and it’s remarkable he even noticed me amongst his concentration. “Good morning Cadet Nox.”
“Professor.” I nod.
He notices where my gaze landed and quickly reshuffles the papers.
I keep walking until I reach the double doors to a conference room on the far end of the floor. By way of the castle, this room must open to the front, overlooking the massive switchbacks and Shadow Pass in the distance.
A large hand rests on my lower back.
I turn at the touch. “Castor!”
A small, forced smile tugs at his mouth.
“I thought I would be in there alone.”
“You will be.”
