“I—I—I…” my friend stutters. “I don’t know.”
His knees are practically knocking together in terror. But even though he must be terrified, he’s not prepared to betray me. He would rather die than give me away – my wonderful, amazing, one-of-a-kind best friend.
“But theyarehere, at the academy,” Sterling says. Fly simply stares back at him, silent. “Fine,” Sterling snaps angrily.
He swirls his arm through the air and his shadows, black and dull, swim from his fingertips to the back of the stage. They loop around one of the boughs of the trees that stand behind him, and then they fall down, forming a noose.
The crowd gasps again. Several people cry out “No!” Someone dares to say, “You can’t do this!”
The new headmaster examines his work and then turns around slowly.
“I have the Empress’s permission to do all and everything in my power to protect this realm and keep it safe. That includes removing any danger and any traitors.” He narrows his eyes. “Are there any more among you?”
The crowd falls silent, so silent you can hear the wind knocking the skeletal limbs of the trees together.
He nods, and the two soldiers begin marching Fly toward the tree and the noose.
And I can’t stand it. There is no way this is happening. No way in hell.
I let my magic fly through my body, sharp against Fox’s hold on me. It zaps against his skin, and momentarily he releases me. I’m quick, slipping through his grasp before he can grab me again. I let my magic shine through his shadows and step forward.
“I am here!” I call out to Sterling, who’s already turned away from the crowd to watch the soldiers loop the noose around Fly’s neck. “I am a traitor. I am Briony Storm!” I yell at the top of my lungs.
Then I send my magic storming through the air, slicing through Sterling’s shadow magic and releasing the noose from my friend’s neck.
Sterling whirls around and shoots his shadow magic directly at me; the crowd behind me scream and scatter to avoid his onslaught. Icouldduck and let the magic sail right over myhead, but it could hit the people behind me. So instead, I meet it with magic of my own.
As soon as our magics collide, I can feel he’s a powerful shadow weaver – powerful but nothing like Bardin. Although there’s something disciplined, ordered, and frankly disturbing about his magic.
I scream with the anger I feel deep in my belly.
How dare he threaten my friend. How dare he touch him.
I push at his magic and send him flying onto his backside, skidding across the stage.
At the same time, the gathered soldiers – all shadow weavers themselves – begin shooting their magic toward me. For a moment, I realize just how stupid and outnumbered I actually am.
And then the Professor is there too, shooting his own magic at them.
And maybe this would be easy. The shadow weavers aren’t demons. They’re not Madame Bardin. We’re not out in the demon wastelands, we’re here at the academy, deep within the realm.
But there’s one massively big problem.
The soldiers have a hold of Clare. And Sterling has scrambled back up onto his feet and has his shadow magic hovering at Fly’s throat.
“Stop shooting,” he yells at me, “or I’ll snap his neck.”
With a frustrated grunt I let my light magic fall to the ground and flicker back to my hands. Fox reluctantly follows my lead and does the same.
“Thank you,” Sterling says. “That’s much better.”
The smile on his face now is more evil and smug. As soon as I get the opportunity, I’m going to smack him right in the center of his ugly face –ifI get the opportunity. My chances aren’t looking great at this very moment.
“I knew you were here somewhere, Miss Storm, lurking about like a bad smell. What Iwasn’texpecting was to find Professor Tudor in your company. The Empress will be pleased that I have found yet another traitor.”
His gaze darts around the darkened academy. Those who were here watching only moments ago have all fled. It’s just me, Fox, Fly, Clare, Sterling, and several dozen soldiers.
“I assume that Beaufort Lincoln and his bond brothers are here somewhere too.” The idea seems to delight him. “Tell me where they are and I’ll let your friend live.”
