He sucks in a sharp breath. The Commanders behind him react swiftly, shooting questions at me.
“Tell us where it is!”
“Tell us now!”
“Why didn’t you kill it?”
And last: “How did you escape?”
I grind my teeth, refusing to answer any of them. “What does Commander Rath say we should do?”
Pedr Bounty glowers. “He says we should send scouts across the border and gather more information before we make a decision.”
“Well, that sounds wise to me.” Except that they won’t do it. They’re too proud and stubborn. I can tell by their expressions. “As for these trials… I’ll see you at the next one.”
I make it to the doors. One of the guards has the sense to yell, “Stand back!” as he pushes the door open for me and keeps his distance from the electricity crackling around me.
Jordan is right there with Elise, struggling against the guards outside. Two guards lie on the ground. Another is about to meet Jordan’s fist as she screams, “Let me through! Let me—”
She races to me as soon as she sees me, calling the Storm Command who swarm me. I drop the dagger to the ground so I don’t hurt them. I’ve never been so happy to be surrounded by my nunnery as I am right now.
“They wouldn’t let us in. Those brutes and their spellcasters…”
I eye Elise with alarm. She’s bristling. Her hair is out of place, her dress is dirty, and her face is smudged. “If they’d kept me away from you for one second longer I was going to send them to meet the ancients.”
She presses her lips together, her anger vanishing into fear. “I saw what Commander Rath looked like when they brought him out and I… I was so afraid for you…”
I can’t tell her that I’m okay, because I’m not. I’m so far from okay right now, but I do need her help. “I need to know when Commander Rath recovers and I need you to give him a message. I want him to come and see me as soon as he can. Can you tell him that for me?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“Okay, then. Please get me home.”
