“Ender!” Priscilla shouted and stepped toward the pair, but he shoved out a hand, pushing her back with a rush of category three hurricane winds. That was a warning to stay out, but for added measure, the winds continued swirling around them. Trainer Murphy tried to cross the wind barrier, but her arm was wrenched backward and Flame hopped off her opposing shoulder and to the ground.
Beyond the swirling gusts, I could see Ender raising his fist and striking David, who reached out, hands fumbling over Ender’s bare chest and neck.
Ender was not going to stop.
I rushed forward, putting my hands up to the wind barrier. Attempting to create my own barrier, I sliced into Ender’s wind, only to get thrown to the side.
“Sal!” Vivian ran to my aid, helping me up.
“That didn’t work.” I straightened myself.
“Obviously, Sherlock.” Viv rolled her eyes.
I was powerful. I should be able to break through if I attempted again and tried another method, but the way Ender was not letting up on his assault told me there wasn’t time. I closed my eyes, reaching for the bond he and I shared. A small fluorescent string trailed into a bright abyss. I reached for it, mentally tugging on it.
Ender, I whispered to myself more than anything.Let me in.
I opened my eyes. Ender had his arm cocked in the air, but he didn’t bring it down. The small hurricane surrounding them had lessened ever so slightly. Had he heard me?
I’m coming to you,I mentally said but immediately felt embarrassed and was glad no one could hear my thoughts. The soul-bond must help us deduce our intentions through our feelings.
Cautiously, I edged closer to the gusts and began making my way through the storm, wind grating against my skin and own magic. Inside, Ender had retreated, standing as far as he could from David, who lay still on the ground.
“Ender?” I reached for him, putting a hand on his heaving chest. His revulsion of his actions and confusion ached in my own bones. “You’re okay.”
His eyes finally met mine, wide with disbelief and horror. He glanced back at David. Beating him to a pulp in an unprovoked training match was anything but his normal.
The storm surrounding us ceased; the training field had gone completely silent. His expression became indecipherable as he stepped away and turned toward the woods, all emotions pouring from him cutting off.
“Ender.” I started to follow but he held up a hand.
“I need a moment.” He continued, not really walking or running, more of a speed walk—if there was such a thing as a graceful speed walk.
My brain knew I needed to respect his space, but my heart wanted to race after him. I went to move in his direction, but Priscilla strode past, motioning me to stay while also giving me the universal nod that meantI got him. At least that was what I thought the tilt of her head meant.
So I stayed, watching him retreat into the woods and ignoring the pain in my chest and the alarmed gazes on both of our backs.
Chapter Forty-Four
Selene
Ithadbeenalittle over an hour since the fight. My stomach grumbled, echoing across the empty triage room. The protests my stomach put up didn’t match my actual appetite, and it was furious I had skipped on a predinner snack to head to the infirmary. I stared at a majesty palm tree across the room. It, unlike many of the other trees sprouting from the academy’s floors, grew from a ceramic planting pot. Its long silk leaves fluttered in the absence of a breeze as if it felt the scrutiny of my stare.
“Sorry,” I mumbled to it like it understood. Ender’s break in restraint and control during his match with David was aberrant. I glanced at the closed door, which Nurse Adair was most likely treating David.
Taking a deep breath, I rubbed my temples and sighed, then rested my arms on the metal armrests of the green shamrock chair I was sitting in. The space was grotesque, with sleek whitemarble floors, white walls, and two medical chairs for triage that matched the vibrant green exam room chairs. It was migraine-inducing compared to the dark ambience of the rest of the academy—excluding the kitchen.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
I straightened, glancing at the back of the room, where the nurse’s office was enclosed by a glass wall. Surprise froze me, and then I abruptly kicked into action. I made my way to the glass door, which was thankfully unlocked, and through the standard-sized office.
The floor-to-ceiling window cracked open with ease, and hot dragon breath instantly greeted me as his long, sharp white claws gripped the sill.
“Chaos,” I hissed. “What are you doing here?” Thankfully the infirmary windows faced the woods on the southwest side of the academy, but if someone happened to look just right from the gym…
“Sorry!” Sydney whisper-shouted, out of breath, as she caught up to Chaos. “He was sitting on your bed one minute, made a displeasing noise, and was slithering out the window and flying over here. Thank the entire academy and my well-being, no one has seen him, but I’m sure the other students thought I was crazy, running and yelling at the sky.” She wiped the sweat from her forehead. “He’s fast.”
“You have to stay hidden.” I shook my head at Chaos, thankful it was already dark despite the days supposedly getting longer.
