And somewhere deep beneath the Academy, the stone groaned low and angry like the building itself had finally decided enough was enough.
Chapter Seventeen
“Maeve, I think the troughs are safer,” Twobble said, studying me.
I shook my head. “But we don't have time for mistakes.”
“I hate to say it, but Twobble is right.” Nova’s gaze found mine.
“My broomstick has taken me there before. It will take me to the compound again.”
Caleb stepped in front of me as the witches congregated around the front door of the Academy.
“I made a promise to Keegan to keep you safe.” Caleb glanced at my dad and then back at me. “And your father.”
I brushed past the alpha. “Then you'd better figure out how to ride a broom.”
Twobble shook his head and rolled his eyes as he shrugged. “I never know what to do with her when she gets like this.”
Lady Limora stepped forward with Vivian, Mara, and Opal behind her. “There's nothing like a community broom ride at moonlight.”
“Indeed.” Stella smiled at me. “Helps to clear the mind.”
The vampires turned and looked at Caleb. He cocked his head slightly. “So instead of going in undetected and giving ourselves a shot at being inconspicuous, you're going to announce yourselves in the night sky.”
“It occurred to me that we've been doing nothing but cat and mouse games with the Priestess. I'm tired of it. I think it's about time we quit hiding.” My hands moved to my hips. “She probably expects a quiet sneak like we’d planned.”
My dad stepped towards me and glanced at Caleb and back at me. “Well, the Priestess certainly won't expect it.”
My brows lifted in surprise. “You're not against this.”
He shook his head. “Can't say that I am. She has my wife and soon, my granddaughter.”
My father had spent so much time trapped inside fur and silence that hearing raw emotion from him still caught me off guard sometimes. There was no growl behind it now or bulldog snort of irritation to soften the edges.
The Academy doors stood wide as witches, shifters, goblins, and familiars crowded the front steps beneath the glow of the moonlight. The autumn wind moved through the trees lining the path, carrying the scent of smoke, damp leaves, and hope.
It felt like the entire Academy was waiting for something more.
Nova stepped down the steps beside me.
Her dark braid moved over one shoulder as her gaze swept across the grounds before meeting mine.
“You don’t agree with me,” I whispered.
“The troughs would shield us longer,” she said carefully. “But speed matters now.”
“It does,” I agreed.
Caleb folded his arms over his chest. “Speed only matters if you survive getting there.”
I looked toward the moonlit sky above the Academy towers. “I’m trying to get Celeste back before the Priestess decides her fate.”
Twobble climbed onto the stone railing bordering the steps and pointed a finger at me. “You’re doing that thing again where you sound terrifyingly reasonable while actively planning something reckless.”
“Thank you.” I nodded, glancing at the midlife students.
“It wasn’t a compliment.” He scowled as Skonk elbowed him lightly.
