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35
Raven
The restof the trials seemed sedated compared to facing down a shadow fae. I had to cross a field of poisonous thistles, make it through a dark tunnel, and climb a wall. I was pretty sure the wall was Coach Miller’s handiwork.
In the end, none of it felt difficult. I attacked each challenge with confidence. By the time I saw the light ahead that showed me the way out of the maze, I realized that I was no longer worried about how to use my magic. I didn’t feel like I was behind or unqualified.
When I walked into the sunlight, I felt different. Empowered. Free.
The good feeling faded as soon as Dr. Green came running over to me. “Ms. Winters, I need you to get inside right now.”
“That’s a hell of a congratulations,” I said. Even his panicked expression wasn’t enough to take me down right now.
“The shadow fae escaped,” he said.
“I know,” I said.
“You know?” he asked.
“You remember how I ended up here?” I asked. I didn’t like thinking about it, but I’d started my journey here with a body count. I supposed it was fitting that it ended that way as well.
“He was in there?” Dr. Green asked.
“Not anymore,” I said. “I’m afraid there’s not even a body to show for it.”
Dr. Green smiled, then quickly cleared his throat and forced his expression into one of indifference. “Well, I suppose we’ll never know what happened to him. I will report to the authorities that we didn’t see him at the academy.”
He started walking away, then turned back to me. “Congratulations, Raven. I knew you had it in you.”
“Thanks, Dr. Green,” I said.
“Raven!” Makayla ran toward me, Remi right behind her. Her shirt was torn in half and she had what might be scorch marks on her pants. But she was here and she was smiling. Remi actually looked worse. But they’d both made it.
I ran toward her and we met in a hug, both of us bursting into a fit of giggles.
“Can you believe we finally did it?” she asked. “We’re going to graduate. And neither of us died.”
I laughed harder. There were too many times during my short tenure here that I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. “I’m glad you didn’t die.”
“Same, girl,” she said.
Someone else put their arms around me, squishing me in-between Makayla and the newcomer. I recognized his smoke and leather scent right away. “Luka! You made it!”
“Of course I did, Kitten,” he said.
“Get in here,” Luka said, dragging Remi into the hug. He piled on, grabbing on to Makayla.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ben and Zach walking toward us. Behind them I saw a frazzled looking Matt. He’d clearly encountered something rough as his face was smeared with dirt and his hair was a mess. But he was safe.
They were all safe.
And a moment later, they all joined in the group hug.
It didn’t take long for a few other students to join in. Violet and Scarlet, and even some kids I rarely talked to. It was a giant pile of love.
Everyone was just happy to be alive.
Finally, we all broke apart and waited for the last few students to find their way through.
