As I follow him down the stairs, my legs move on autopilot while my brain continues its spectacular meltdown.
He checked my memories. He believes my story that I got lost in the storm. That’s what he’ll report.
“Are you hurt?” he asks as we descend the stairs, looking back to check on me.
“I don’t think so.” I glance down at myself. I’m drenched, and there are a few small cuts on my arms from the flying glass that are already healing, but other than that, I’m fine. “Just shaken up.”
He nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer.
“I know the weather patterns here are unpredictable, but when I was at Blaze Academy, I never saw a storm come in that fast. One moment everything was fine, and then...” He trails off, his brow creasing. “I’m sorry. I’m having trouble remembering everything clearly. That doesn’t usually happen to me,” he says,then adds, quieter, almost to himself, “That never happens to me.”
His hand drifts to his temple again, pressing lightly, like he’s searching for something that isn’t there.
We pass Delia on the landing, her notebooks clutched to her chest.
“Tobias! Jade! I heard the thunder, then there was this enormouscrack, and I didn’t know if I should come up or get help or?—”
“We’re okay,” Tobias says, steadier now. “But the Observatory was significantly damaged.”
“Oh no.” Delia presses a hand to her chest. “I know how much you loved that room. You practically lived there when you were a student.”
“I always found it calming up there.” Tobias glances over his shoulder at the stairs that lead up to the Observatory, his eyes going distant again.
“We’ll find an alternative location. And don’t worry—I’m sure the Observatory will be repaired soon.” She gives him an encouraging smile, and the three of us continue our descent in silence.
When we reach the doors to the Starflare Ballroom, I hear raised voices and worried chatter as Helen tries to maintain order.
Tobias pauses with his hand on the door handle.
“Jade.” He turns to look at me, and while his pale eyes are more focused now, there’s a shadow behind them—a faint crease between his brows, like he’s trying to recall a word that’s on the tip of his tongue. “I know that was scary, but you stayed calm when it mattered. You didn’t panic, and that’s not easy.”
I choke back a hysterical laugh. Because I did panic. That’s literally why the storm happened.
“Thanks,” I manage. “I think I’m still in shock.”
“Understandable.” His gaze catches on nothing, then returns to me. “Go back and get some rest. You’ve been cleared.”
Cleared.
The word echoes in my head as he opens the door to the ballroom.
Sam’s the first one through. “Jade! Are you okay? We heard thunder, and then someone said they saw lightning hit the tower, and?—”
“I’m fine.” I manage a weak smile. “Just... really wet.”
Evie appears on my other side, her amber eyes scanning me for injuries. “What happened up there?”
“Lightning struck the dome.” Naming my magic out loud tastes strange on my tongue. “The whole ceiling just... shattered.”
Before Evie can reply, Helen’s voice rises above the chaos.
“Everyone, remain calm.” She’s moved to stand at the Memory Flame, her composure impeccable despite the commotion. Tobias stands beside her, his clothes damp, his hair disheveled, one hand occasionally going to his temple. “The Observatory sustained damage from a lightning strike, but no one was injured.”
Murmurs ripple through the crowd.
“Memory verification sessions will resume once a new location has been secured,” she continues. “When we recommence, we’ll be starting with Vera Jackson.”
Vera. Not Jade. Notplease detain the first-year with impossible magic who just blew a hole through the ceiling.
