“I see. Can you create a portal?” Jaddati asks.
I nod. “I’m confident I can.”
Just then, we hear running footsteps and see the three girls have come along with Brock and Tatum. Both boys suited up as well.
“We’re going, too. Please, Head Commander,” Brock asks, lowering his head. “Artemis is there.”
Jaddati nods. “You are trained for this, but are you all sure you want to go?” Jaddati asks Charlotte, Shahira and Brock. “It’s dangerous, and it can cost you your life.”
“Yes,” all say without missing a beat.
Jaddati nods curtly. “Very well then. Remember your training.”
“Yes, Commander!”
Jaddati’s eyes are sharp, her lips pressed in a thin line. “It’s bad, the barriers are destroyed. I just heard from Rayhan that backup is on its way. I’m giving you permission to go, but I’m coming with you.”
“But what about the Academy, especially withhimhere?” Charlotte asks sharply. We all know who she means.
“Everything is under control here. Don’t worry. But if I’mallowing you to go, then it is my responsibility to come with you,” Jaddati says, and my eyes widen. I see her reach for and activate something in her coat.
A Schattenblüte, one that is different from ours. I see – it’s a custom-designed suit. Her suit appears, and she removes her coat, revealing black flared pants, a fitted, black long-sleeved top, gloves and a full head covering that’s shaped like a turban with a veil, becoming the masked battle queen she is known for.
Charlotte smiles. “Impressive, Head Commander.”
Jaddati nods. “Thank you,” she says, bending down and opening the bag I hadn’t noticed at her feet and takes out her swords. “Keep your Schattensichts activated. We keep in contact as much as possible. If you are in distress, alert the others. From here on, we work as a team. Understood?”
“Yes, Commander!” we say in unison as we activate our Schattensichts and hold them out so they can connect with one another. They are automatically activated for your division members, but can at any time be linked to others for missions.
“Brock is second in command. If I am unable to be reached, you follow his lead or find Alpha Elijah, Alpha Liam, Alpha Scarlett, Alpha Damon or Luna Raven. Follow their commands. Do not engage if you are injured; resort to protecting the civilians.”
“Yes, Commander!”
My heart is racing, every passing minute making fear curl in the pit of my stomach.
“Open the gates,” Jaddati commands, signalling the guards at the doors to allow us to leave.
Once we pass the gates and step outside, I glance at Jaddati, who has a deep frown on her face.
“I’ll open the portal now,” I state, stepping forward.
“Focus on the tree line, just in case there are some barriers remaining, we don’t want to step into the midst of the battle,” Sienna advises. “I haven’t mastered this spell. You’ll be ok?”
“I’ll be fine,” I answer as I whisper a spell, and my bag of supplies appears. I take out a jar of ash and begin to draw the symbols on the ground, finishing with the circle.
I don’t focus on anything else but the spell. Mama makes it look so simple, but I know it takes a lot of practice. Taking a deep breath, I begin chanting the spell to create the portal. This one is big, and it’s hours away. This is the first time I’m opening one at such a distance.
After a few moments, a shimmering wall appears, and when it clears, showing us what’s beyond, my heart sinks.
“Fuck,” Tatum breathes. The state of the land beyond the portal is terrible. Fire engulfs the trees from what we can see, smoke and ash creating a thick smog, and in every direction, there’s destruction.
“Go,” I command. Allie is the first to step through, with the rest following without wasting a second. I flick my hand, whispering the spell, and close the portal.
Turning, I blanch as heat whips in our direction, searing my skin. Everything around us is ablaze, and I can feel the earth scream as the fire continues to spread fast and far.
Sienna’s chanting a spell, and I realise she’s casting protection spells around the others. Shahira is also working on doing the same.
I hear Charlotte grunt beside me, spreading her hands wide, and I turn in time to see dark clouds appear above us, before rain begins pouring down, hissing as it hits the flames, but it’s not enough. The fire is too vast, but it might slow it down a little.
