I frown, realizing I haven't sensed his presence since Engela Zuma came to get him earlier. Now that I notice his absence, it irks me.
"He's not here."
All three of them frown, too.
"Damn that impulsive fucking incubus," Silas huffs. "He's probably off eating daydreams."
I don't think that's it. I've gotten used to Crypt stalking my every move, so the fact that he isn't here right now doesn't sit right.
But he's the Nightmare Prince. He'll be fine. I'm sure he'll pop up sooner than later.
Finally, the coach turns to address everyone. "All right, we've been instructed to use weapons during this training session. In an orderly fashion, each of you needs to come pick outoneweapon only. These aren't the best weapons in the world, but they're more than enough for practice. A little overboard if you ask me, but then, I'm not about to argue with the Immortal Quintet's requests."
If they're handing out weapons for combat on day one, it's safe to say that they want to cull the weak as quickly as possible. They're most likely expecting to find whoever killedHeadmaster Hearst among the stronger, higher-ranked legacies at Everbound.
As we wait for the other excited legacies who swarm around the wooden chest, all this talk of weapons has me giving all three of my matches a serious look.
"This is the last time I'll ask nicely. Which one of you has my dagger?"
Silas makes the same face he did the last time I asked about it. Baelfire looks away, and Everett pretends like I didn't even speak.
"Use other weapons, or perhaps use your magic. That was more than potent enough when I felt it," Silas hedges.
"Why the fuck are you three acting weird about this? It belongs to me."
Baelfire gives me a pointed look, his golden eyes coaxing. "Yeah, but…we don't want anyone else here knowing that, right?"
Silas elbows him hard, and Everett looks heavenward like he's asking the gods why he has to deal with two morons.
I stare at them, putting it together as they each refuse to meet my gaze. I knew something had changed when they witnessed my last episode, but now my stomach clenches as I realize why they don't want me to have Pierce back.
Because they figured out where it's from.
WhereI'mfrom.
Before I can process that, the faculty member who was just speaking to the coach approaches with a cautious smile.
"I have your location assignment. Your quintet must find the ancient cemetery on the far west side of Everbound Forest. You will find a circle of light there, and when you step into it, you will be transported back here. Please stick closely to your quintet, as we anticipate losing many legacies in this exercise. The otherlegacies will be quite aggressive, I'm afraid. And…I regret to tell you that we ran out of weapons already."
Silas clenches his jaw, but Everett nods. "Thank you, Shayla."
"O—of course, Mr. Frost." She blushes furiously before moving on to the next group.
"Damn it," Baelfire huffs, turning to me. "You're not leaving our side, understand? My dragon and I are both already pissed as hell that people will be after you. Going in unarmed?—"
"I'm always armed," I reply coolly, brushing past him to stand with everyone else at the forest's edge. "So, as Kenzie would say, calm your tits."
The coach makes his final announcement. "I'll be seeing a lot less of you by the end of this practice. Stay focused, prove your strength, and pray to Syntyche that she won't be reaping your soul today. Ready, set?—"
He blows his whistle, and immediately, we all plunge into the darkness of Everbound Forest.
13
MAVEN
The darkness is filledwith shouts and screams, and the ever-present mist barely conceals the bloodshed that has already begun in this haunting forest. I can sense death nearby, thick and potent, as it awaits hungrily for more victims.
If I closed my eyes, it might feel like I'm back home.
