I didn’t have time to ponder that question because his finger squeezed the trigger. Viv was already starting to dive, but I dove at her anyway, covering her as we fell to the dirt. The closest cover was a tree to our left and a building to our right, but neither were close enough. The boy fired two more shots, missing each time.
Yep. Either he’s drunk or has awful aim.
While Viv and I stood, I tried to think of a way to subdue him while avoiding getting shot—and without magic. We couldn’t let them know what we were.
Before any ideas came to mind, another shot came from behind me and a touch of static filled the air as a bullet whizzed by my shoulder. I swirled around to see one of the other boysflying into a nearby closed mini store, a blue barrel full of liquid rolling after him. Viv had her arms stretched out, having used her water magic to strike the boy with the water barrel. Being a level four water mage, she could be dangerous. If she hadn’t used her magic, I probably would have been down with a bullet in my chest.
The assailant’s eyes had widened, and he briefly lowered his gun. When he went to raise it again, I projected my magic, feeling the cool, smooth surface of a nearby rock, and flung it at his head. He fell to the ground. I hoped the rock had hit him hard enough that he would forget the last hour.
“Let’s go,” I said to Viv, and we started running, unsure where the third boy had gone.
The memory dug its sharp nails into my mind. It was my duty as Vivian’s sister to protect her—instead, I chose to be her friend that night. If I had told Mom what had happened, she would have taken precautionary measures, and honestly, we might have relocated. Mom would have been alive if I had been more mature instead of worrying about the consequences for Viv and that she’d hate me. My shortsightedness had opposing deadly consequences.
“No. Viv.” I put my forehead to hers. “Do not put the blame on yourself. There are a hundred different ways the dark mages could have found us. No one would have believed three drunken teenagers. Plus, do you really think they went around saying they were shooting at a couple of girls who could move objects with their minds?”
Actually, that’s probably exactly what happened—or a version of it.But sometimes, small lies help protect a person from themselves. Mom had always been careful on her runs into town, but I wasn’t going to let Viv think it was her fault—I could have prevented both that night and Mom’s death.
Viv pulled back, looking at the urn on my desk. She set her shoulders back, a sign that she was building her walls back up. I couldn’t tell if she believed what I had said, but I had my doubts.
“I don’t think they’re gone,” Viv said after a moment. “The dark mages who were after Mom, they’ll find us.”
I looked across the room, staring at the abstract art hanging on Sydney’s wall, the reds and blues mixing together like hot flames.
And I would do my best to keep them away from Viv and prevent them from hurting her.
Chapter Twelve
Selene
MyphonerangandI glanced down to see a picture sent as a group message to Sydney and me from Viv.
“It looks like they’re up to no good.” Sydney laughed. “Especially at nine o’clock on a Friday night.”
Our phones chimed in unison as another message came through, asking for us to come join them in the woods behind the gym. I sighed at the mental picture of Viv and April somewhere outside in the dark. A relaxing night in and an evening run sounded like the small piece of therapy I needed after getting Mom back yesterday.
“Should we go?” Sydney, who was sitting on her bed, looked at me.
“No.” I hopped off my bed and started to put my sneakers on.
“No?” Sydney raised a brow.
“No. We shouldn’t,” I answered, glancing around our room. Compared to the rest of the Academy, the dorm rooms wereblander with less greenery, and unlike the library, the lights were from regular chandelier light bulbs and not hollowed-out quartz stone. They were most likely powered by the solar panels on the garage and staff dorms. The enchanted phantom fire used as candles or inside quartz was a safe option, as it contained no heat and couldn’t cause any harm. It was disappointing they hadn’t incorporated it into the dorm rooms.
“But we’re going?” Sydney eyed me as I stood, sneakers on.
“But we’re going.” I put my hands on my hips. “I can’t let Viv get into trouble with the guards, and if they go out farther, they might be out of range for our messages to get through.”
The real reason was that I didn’t want Viv wandering the grounds at night with just April. The academy wards were strong, but so were dark mages.
“Cool. I was getting bored of this piece.” Sydney tossed her tablet aside and hopped off her bed, revealing her drawing of a beautiful tree with red flames licking at its base. She seemed pleased to get out of the room, and I wondered if that’s why she’d already snuck out twice this week in the middle of the night.
I didn’t bother with my jacket and headed out the door. My T-shirt and pants would suffice, though night did cool down ever so slightly. We made our way past the gym, where dark woods greeted us. My heartbeat quickened. I didn’t see them, but this was where they said they would be.
“I bet they’re goofing off with magic in the woods.” Sydney snorted as she snapped her fingers. A small trill of fire shot from her index finger and thumb like a candle, emitting a small glow around us.
Yesterday, Viv had broken down in my arms. Today, I wasn’t surprised she wanted to be adventurous. Adrenaline was a distraction.
“Alright. Let’s go.” I started toward the woods.
