The beast’s razor-sharp teeth snapped at him in between streams of fire that Alex narrowly dodged.
Oh hell no, you’re not messing with my man.
I sprinted toward Alex, intent on being with him, on helping him. I was almost there too, only a dozen yards away, when a blast of magical energy flew across the yard.
I blinked and saw the headmistress and a dozen Spellcasters professors rushing out of the woods, their magic knocking out at least twenty fae in one go. Another blast swooped in, and terrified and elated in equal measure, I hit the floor.
Their magic overwhelmed the space. Shades of gray blue, navy, violet, and scarlet soared toward the fae, and otherworldly screams filled the air. Professors spread out and became warriors, but one instructor was even more awe-inspiring than the rest.
Ms. Seeley twirled and struck as she raced through the onslaught of fae toward the giant lizard. Every target she attacked fell, and when she had a clear shot, our Faeology professor went for the big guy.
I watched as a blast of violet magic ten times as large as any I’d seen from her streamed savagely toward the dragon. It struck the beast right where his head and neck met, and the creature let out a pitiable roar as it fell to the ground with a violent thud. Its eyelids fluttered closed as the last wisps of flames died in its mouth.
But the professor didn’t stop moving. She dashed right up to the dragon, conjured a massive sword, and sliced through the creature's neck, finishing the job.
I choked out a sob, only then noticing that the dragon’s head had landed a mere two feet from Alex.
I leapt up from my crouch and sprinted toward Alex. He met me halfway and wrapped his arms tightly around me.
“It’s okay, Odie. We’re all safe.” Alex stroked my hair as my tears fell fast and free. He smelled like smoke and burnt hair, confirming that he’d had too many close calls.
“Somehow. I almost lost you. To a freakingdragon! And that bubble!” I sounded a little hysterical, but holy universe, both calls had been far too close.
“I know, babe. But we’re okay now. The professors, they did something to the fae,” Alex said. “They all look asleep—or . . .”
Dead.The word sprang to my mind, vicious and cutting.
Although the reasonable side of me knew it would be smarter to leave some of the fae alive, I couldn’t help but hope they were dead.
When I pulled my head from Alex’s chest and saw the carnage, the bodies of my peers lying on the ground, I didn’t regret the violent thought.
Chapter Thirteen
The following day classes were canceled, and representatives from the Paranormal Intelligence Agency descended upon Spellcasters.
After they took in the scene at the King’s Castle, analyzed the academy’s wards, and closed the open faerie holes, the PIA agents interviewed students who had been present during the attack. I was one of the first called upon. When I arrived at the interview room I’d been summoned to, I found David Chena waiting for me.
“Odette Dane,” David said with a grim smile. “You always seem to be in the middle of all the trouble, don’t you?”
As a top spymaster for the United States government, David knew what had happened during the last Beltane Trial and my internship in Portland. In fact, he knewalmosteverything we’d been up against. Everything except Alex’s and my relationships to M&M, and Amethyst’s possession.
“Seems like it,” I said, returning a smile as I sat down. “How have you been?”
David shook his head, and I took in the dark circles beneath his eyes.
Being a PIA spymaster was taxing work. I could imagine that with all the strange demon and faerie stuff happening, it had become even more draining. Especially for a human with no inherent way of defending himself against the creatures that kept popping up. The poor guy probably didn’t sleep.
“Things have been hectic for a few weeks. And then this . . . massacre.” David’s voice broke, and he hung his head.
I gulped down the lump threatening to rise up my throat.
Massacre. That was exactly what it had been. The professors and the headmistress had arrived only ten minutes after the dragon, but those ten minutes felt like a lifetime of blood and terror.
There were countless injuries. What was worse, five Crucible students and two of my classmates from Grind-year were dead. Their parents were arriving later in the day to collect their bodies, and a quiet service was to be held for them that evening. The girl I’d tried to save from the water sphere was among those who had perished. Although I’d done what I could, a veil of responsibility for her death hung over me.
If I’d been faster, would she still be alive?
Andre felt even worse, although unjustly so. He was a brand new warper, unable to even create a true warphole on his own. But me, I’d been doing this for months. I should’ve been able to save them both in time.
