The library is pretty empty, especially as lessons have just finished and a lot of students take a bit of a break before diving into further studies and training.
We all get back to our studying until the sound of heels echoing in the silence makes me glance up to see Charlotte Arden storming through the library, her aura rippling around her, eyes blistering with uncontrolled anger.
I exchange looks with Allie, watching as she disappears behind a shelf, and I can hear her rummaging through the shelves hastily. I wonder what that’s about.
I direct my focus back to the pages, but I’m unable to concentrate, a problem I’ve been having since we returned from the wedding – not after that kiss.
My memory of that night returned to me the following evening. I knew it…
Even without it, when he came up to me the following morning and joked about it, I saw past it. I knew he had something to do with it. I know Theo… and yet… he didn’t want me to know. Why can’t he just take bloody credit for anything he does?!
He got my voice back, and he kissed me. And that feeling, Goddess, that kiss. Who knew the rebel was such a good kisser? And he tasted of temptation and sin.
I sigh silently as I try to focus on the task at hand when Sienna jerks upwards, her aura surging. Her glamour is gone asshe stares at us wildly, jumping to her feet, knocking the chair she had been sitting on to the ground with a loud thud.
“Si, what-” Allie begins.
“The Blood Moon! The Blood Moon Pack is under attack!” Sienna says, her eyes wild.
Unease twists in my stomach. I don’t ask how she knows that. Maybe it’s her visions, her link to Jayce – I don’t know, but I believe her.
“What?” I ask, my heart skipping a beat. Hurried footsteps approach, and then Charlotte is at our table as I stand up, trying to think calmly.
“Allie, alert Leo. Sienna, request Jaddati to grant us permission to go,” I command, my mind racing. Sienna nods, her heart pounding. “I can teleport us, tell her that,” I say, looking between Sienna and Allie.
She’s silent for a moment as Charlotte and Allie both try to contact someone.
“Jaddati said fine, but to stay together. She’s contacting Dad,” Sienna says, her heart pounding loudly. “Let’s go.”
“I’m coming, too!” both Shahira and Charlotte speak simultaneously.
I hesitate, but they are both determined.
“Fine.” This isn’t the time to question anything now. We need to get to an exit, as I can’t create a portal from inside the barrier! We’re already in our suits, but if Allie, Charlotte or Shahira want to get their weapons, they’ll have to collect them.
“Ok, we’ll meet outside by the northern gate in five minutes. If you need any weapons, go get them now,” I say.
I close the grimoire and whisper a spell, making both my notes and the grimoires disappear, secure and safe.
“What did you see?” Allie asks as she rushes to the door. Sienna, like me, has her weapons spelled so that she can summon them.
“It’s him, their leader. The one Jayce and I fought back then, but he isn’t alone. He’s broken through the Blood Moon barriers already!” Sienna says as we all hurry towards the doors.
“Fuck,” Allie mutters as she pushes open the door, and we go our separate ways.
Sienna whispers a spell; runes appear, and she reaches in, taking her swords.
“Nice, you nailed it,” I say. We use separate styles, but both are sufficient. My bandage around my legs is full of concealed weapons.
She nods. “I have. I had time to perfect it.”
We don’t talk further, worry and tension rushing through us. My only consolation is that it worked out at a good time, since all the brothers were there. And if they can defeat a god, then-
But we had Hades’ protection… I push that thought away, refusing to let doubt consume me. We run faster, racing towards the exit, only slowing when we spot Jaddati standing there wearing a hooded, long, floor-length jacket, although it’s not quite that chilly.
She stands there, shoulders straight, face emotionless. “How are you planning to get there?” she asks us.
“Portal,” I say as we slow down. “There are five of us, Allie, Charlotte Arden and Shahira Mohammed.”
