I attempted to stand so I could see who was attacking, but another vine wrapped around my throat, squeezing instantly. I pulled at the vine and tried to control it with my own magic, but I couldn’t—its mage must be using enchantments. My hands and magic searched the ground around me, trying to feel for the rock again, but more vines bound my wrists, constricting them against my body.
My heart pounded against my chest, its uproar banging all the way to my eardrums, and black and white spots obscured my vision. Without movement of my wrists and arms, my ability to use magic was hindered. There was no one in sight, and my earth magic wasn’t going to get me out of this. Whoever’s magic it was, it was strong, and I had to do something.
I resorted to a trick Mom had taught me and ignited flames across my skin, commanding them to burn anything that wasn’tmy skin and clothes. It was a spell that would drain me fast but would incinerate the vines.
The vines started to wither away. I thrust my arms out, breaking the rest of the vines and sending a burst of air outward into the woods. Small smoke trails of burnt foliage and flattened plants circled me. I took the moment to recover and try to find my attacker, but they were nowhere to be found.
I glanced down at my shirt, where the heat from the flames had incidentally melted a small area, and I rubbed my wrists where bruises were already forming. The attack didn’t feel like the one back home.
The danger was evident, even if it hadn’t been a dark mage.
The hatch to the east dorm’s roof opened, and I didn’t bother checking to see who it was. I had sent an SOS for Viv to meet me after the attack.
“Sal. What happened?” Viv called from behind me.
“I was attacked in the woods.” I had texted Viv and changed my clothes while Sydney was at class. My pullover’s sleeves covered my wrists, and my hair covered just enough of the red marks around my neck. “Their magic is strong.”
“Did you see them?” she asked as she came and sat on the ledge next to me. The sun would fade fast thanks to the shorter daylight this time of year.
“No. I was blindsided.” I casually swung my dangling feet off the roof as if someone hadn’t just tried to kill me. “There’s more.”
I filled her in on the details and then my conversation with Ivy.
“What are we going to do?” Viv asked.
“I don’t think you’re a target—for now,” I said. “But we have to be careful. The magic doesn’t feel dark, just powerful, so it’s not the dark mage. I think we’re still safest here.” I thought for a moment about why it had so happened to be Fives Academy guards and John who had found us. “Have you seen the headmaster use magic?”
“No.” Viv tapped her dangling feet together. If either of us fell, we wouldn’t be harmed. I could use air to help carry me to the ground, and she could create and control a solid enough water bubble to lower her slowly, although her magic would be drained. “Why?”
“He’s the reason we’re here. And that message on his phone.” I had told her about the locked-away phone, which she didn’t think was odd—or didn’t want to believe it. “It doesn’t add up.”
“Something doesn’t add up, but I don’t think it’s him,” Viv said. “If he knows you’re an ether mage, why not kill you before you arrived?”
I sighed. I had no clue. But someone at the academy must’ve found out I was an ether mage and that was a problem.
Chapter Fifteen
Ender
Abaseball-sizedmarblehoveredabovemy palm, using more air magic than a tennis ball would need, due to its weight. I shut off my magic and it dropped into my hand before I tossed it in the air again, circulating my magic around it and causing the marble to swirl.
“I’m meeting up with Gwen and Ivy and then we’re heading to the fountain.” Nick hopped off his bed, openly staring at me. “Bro, you’ve been doing that for over an hour. You coming?”
“I’m good.” The academy was throwing its twice a year informal social, Night Out. It was Friday, and they’d play a movie and have elemental games on the front lawn by the dragon fountain. It was one of the few times the dorms and entire back end of the academy were quiet. I was content with not going.
“Suit yourself, man.” Nick waved me off. “A certain someone might be there.”
With that, he left, and I let the large marble fall back into my hand. I hadn’t talked to Selene or seen her the last half of this week, and something heavy weighed in my gut. I sat up and tossed the marble to the foot of my bed, its weight sinking into the stripes of my grey comforter. I checked my phone and didn’t see a response from Selene, although she hadn’t been thrilled when she found out I had convinced Vivian to give me her number.
I stood and tossed my sneakers on, intending to find Selene, who I presumed would be anywhere but at the front of the academy tonight. My first thought was the library, but something about it felt off. I went with the small feeling in my gut and headed to the gym.
The heavy wooden gym door made an echoing noise when I opened it. The massive space closely resembled a normal school gym—besides the stone walls to keep magic training sessions contained.
Selene was in the far corner, her uncovered fists striking a sandbag that hung there. Her hits were rushed, uncalculated. She glanced at me as I approached, lowering her raw knuckles. The heaviness in my chest dissipated but didn’t entirely disappear at the sight of her.
“Following me, are we?” She grabbed her water and took a drink, her chest heaving up and down.
“I’m starting to think you just end up at places where you thinkI’llbe at.” I gave her a lopsided smile.
