“But why would anyone want to mask my powers?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. “That’s the part I don’tget.”
Rourke and Kael exchanged a glance again, and a silent conversation passed between them. I opened my mouth to demand an explanation, but we were interrupted by the loudest boom I’d ever heard. Frowning, we all glanced up at the ceiling as the overhead lights began to flicker. Another boom quickly followed, along with the heavy patter of rain, so loud that it sounded like aroar.
“Sounds like a storm has arrived,” Liam said with a growl. “Summer didn’t get any of this bullshit until the Courts divided, and now it sounds like the whole sky is being torn inhalf.”
They strode over to the windows to stare at the dark sky. Thick, angry clouds were rolling over the Academy, and the sharp crackle of lightning split through the night, so bright that it was almost blinding. Rain poured from the pregnant clouds, slanting sideways from the heavy wind that howled through the Academygrounds.
Shivering, I hugged my arms to my chest and backed away from the windows. Something about the storm felt wrong and unnatural, almost as if it were a prelude tobattle.
“Are you alright?” Rourke asked, his hand whispering against my back before it fell heavily to his side. “I realize this is a lot to takein.”
“I just don’t understand what any of this means,” I said. “Why would my mom have a necklace to hide my faeabilities?”
“Maybe she knew what you were all this time,” he said quietly, shifting closer to speak into my ear, his breath soft against my neck. “Maybe she didn’t want you to return toOtherworld.”
I turned toward him, searching his golden eyes with my own, hoping I could see the truth in his gaze. “Do you really think that’sit?”
His eyes flickered, and he glanced away. “I’m not sure. There are...other things to take into consideration. Either way, I hope that you will accept my apologies on the behalf of the Autumn fae. We are not all likeRedmond.”
“I know.” I gave him a soft, timid smile. “Because there’syou.”
I swore his chest puffed up at least alittle.
I continued, “But I’ve met some other Autumn fae who were...well, I wouldn’t call them friendly, but they seemed as if they were actually concerned about my safety. In fact, they warned me not to have run-ins with other Autumnfae.”
“There are some rebels amongst the Autumns,” he said, his face clouding over. “They do not agree with Viola’s reign, or her assassination on Marin. They are wanted fugitives, who prowl near the edge of the woods between the Autumn lands and the free territory. No one knows what they’re up to, but I think they’ve been hunting forhope.”
“Oh.” My eyes widened. “Do you think that’s who I met that day in thewoods?”
“Could be,” hemurmured.
Another boom shook through the sky, and Liam hurried over to myside.
“There’s something out there,” he said in a low voice. “We need to get the changelings into the gymnasium. It’s the safest place forthem.”
“Something is out there?” I asked, my heart thumping hard against my ribcage. “What isit?”
His mouth was a grim line. “It looks like more Redcaps. They’re prowling back and forth just beyond the watch towers, which are currently empty. We thought it would be safest for everyone to hole up in the main house, but that means we have no one outside to hold themoff.”
I glanced at the windows, remembering the horror that had taken place in the dining hall. “They’ll just crash through the windows. There’s nothing to stop them from gettinginside.”
“That’s right.” Rourke’s jaw flickered as he clenched his teeth. “Which is why we must get everyone into the gym.Now.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The lights flickeredas we all scurried into the ‘safety’ of the gymnasium. The fae were right. It was probably the safest place on campus, but it almost felt as though we were trapping ourselves inside with no hope of an escape. There was just the one set of double doors, now blocked by a growing mound of gym equipment. There were no windows. No escape hatches. One way in, and only one wayout.
The Head Instructor stood at the front of our worried huddled group, a sword dangling by her side. “Listen up. Now, I know you all are scared, but there’s no reason for worry or concern. Some Redcaps have been spotted on the grounds, but they won’t be able to get to you in here. All we have to do is sit tight until morning, and then we can go back to our regularly-scheduledclasses.”
Griff stood from the back of the room, his hands curled into tight fists. “Shouldn’t we be out there fighting them instead of hiding in here like a bunch ofcowards?”
“I agree.” A third-year girl with short dark hair moved to Griff’s side, crossing her arms over her chest. “I know the first-years are just starting to learn how to fight, but us third-years have been practicing formonths.”
“Your safety is paramount,” Alwyn said. “No changeling will engage in fighting these creatures. Our team of guards is just outside this door. Even they won’t be going out into the storm to face thesebeasts.”
“This is ridiculous,” Griff said with a scowl. “First, we let the Autumn fae attack us and nowthis.”
The Head Instructor’s voice went chilly. “We have reason to believe the Autumn fae are the ones controlling these beasts. They’re using them to attack ourAcademy.”
