“Not quite.” Pricilla leaned forward, flipping to another page full of script. “This makes it sound like it is more of a sense or feeling.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“We don’t fully understand it or know if these articles are entirely accurate. They are believed to be a copy of a dark grimoire.” Priscilla shared a look with the headmaster. “There’s something else.”
“This is the clan that killed Sal’s mother and Vivian’s parents.” The headmaster straightened, his jaw tense.
“That was already a given, based on their hunt for Selene.” I slid the folder away from the edge of the stone-slabbed desk. “Why isn’t she here, being shown this?”
“She will be.” It was Priscilla who answered, an uneasiness I had rarely seen settling in her eyes. “But we wanted to give you what answers we could about your parents. It’s the same clan that had accidentally found Anna in Singapore.”
My brows knitted together as my brain sorted out its thoughts, revealing what this information meant.
“This black circle clan killed my parents.” It only made sense. A powerful clan after Selene’s mom had coincidently found my father, killing both my ether father and air mage mother, who had tried to save him.
“We are going to find the dark mages responsible.” Headmaster John’s voice was laced with vengeful guarantee, a promise that struck close to home.
“And my other elemental magic?” I glanced at Priscilla. “You said you thought my parents had somehow dampened my other elements.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “It can’t be undone unless it is removed by the mage who created it or you, yourself, break it on your own.”
I laughed, full knowing that the only ones who knew who could have created the enchantment were my deceased parents. Miss Lee hadn’t truly known I was ether. “And how exactly do I do that?”
Silence—which meant they were not going to enlighten me about what they did or didn’t know. It didn’t matter. The enchantment most likely was being stripped by the bond Selene and I shared. That was probably why they didn’t want to say anything. Priscilla had mentioned it was a possibility when we were flying to Singapore.
“There’s still time for lunch.” Priscilla stood, motioning for me to follow her to the door, and I did.
“I want to thank you, Ender.” The headmaster called. “For protecting my daughter and your concern for her safety. I am indebted to you.”
I nodded and started to turn back toward the door, unsure of what to do with a statement so personal.
“And Ender,” he called, “your own safety is high priority. Do your best to remember that as well.”
I pursed my lips and nodded once again before exiting his office.
Four hours later, small, sharp evergreen branches scraped against my bare arms as I attempted to dodge the thicker ones. A slight breeze passed through the magically warmed forest, and the faint whoosh of water thrummed somewhere close by. I slowed, nearing the edge of the dome boundary that sat upon the mountains.
The endorphins from my run had heightened and I stopped, attempting for the third time to try to summon any of my other elemental magic. I caged my air magic, straining to call forth my hidden earth magic. I held out my hand, focusing on something that should be as simple as moving the small heart-shaped leaf in front of me, its color faded due to the time of year.
The leaf twitched.
I stilled.
Excitement brewed but ceased once a breeze brushed my skin. It had been the wind.
Needing to relieve unwanted tension, I twisted my head side to side and was awarded with a satisfying crack. I would try again tomorrow. It was about time I headed back to shower before dinner, though it was tempting not to, leaving me with more time to see if I could rile up Selene with my … smugness. I’d barely had any time with her by the time I had gotten to lunch, and after classes, she and Vivian planned to train.
A twig snapped underneath my foot, but the echo of another branch breaking came from my left—not from me. Nothing was visible in the thick brush, though the sun peeked through the treetops. I crept forward with deliberate steps, debating if I should run. If it was a dark mage or the traitor from inside the academy, it would be best if I was sturdy on my feet in a defensive position.
Both the birds and crickets had stopped chirping, and the only palpable sound was the forest breeze and the flow of the water in the nearby creek. Something was out there.
I waited, not taking any chances and turning my back to run.
Minutes ticked by until glowing orange eyes revealed themselves between two trees. As the eyes approached, black scales with iridescent white tips along a sleek little dragon body appeared. Though his body was a little larger than the size of a big fox, he was fierce and intimidating.
“Hey there, buddy.” I held my hands outward in a non-threatening way. “Remember me?”
A growl rose from the little dragon, its lip pulled back, baring sharp white teeth. His nostrils flared and then he sneezed, a small flame firing out of his mouth and disappearing into tendrils of smoke. He visibly relaxed and crept closer.
