Page 125

“Come on, we better get going.” I lead us toward the amphitheater, grateful that this time I’m not competing in it.

Gryphon and Selene join us as we find seats in the second row toward the center. More of the cadets move out of my way than usual. In the beginning of the year, I was ostracized for being the only Starwatcher. Whispers would echo in the halls as I passed with cadets trying to be discreet.

But today, it’s almost like they are staring at Leaf more—which, to be fair, I completely understand. He’s tall, broad, and next to Gryphon, those two could be mistaken for mountains. Large orbs of Sun’cher magic float at equal distances around the field, warming the students as we gather for this impromptu assembly.

“What do you think this is about?” Selene leans into Ramona.

“Hel if I know.”

“I’ll bet a Watcher coin that it’s not good based on the way Markus looks up there.” Gryphon nods to the small stage erected in the middle of the field, where the Elder Superior stands, frowning.

“Okay, it’s a bet,” Selene says back.

Markus raises a hand, and the murmur of the students dissipates. The Watch’s cobalt blue flags snap in the brisk winter wind. Flurries of snow fall, only to be melted by the Sun’cher heating orbs.

The Elder Superior begins. “We’ve gathered you all at the start of our second semester to share some news that will impact the way we train moving forward.”

Silence.

“The Jord has broken completely from the Peace Treaty.”

Chaos erupts. Some cadets scream while others draw their weapons, expecting to see Underlings from the Jord pop out from behind the stadium.

Markus stands there, letting his words sink in.

And they do. Straight past the layers of practice leathers, cloaks, and armor, to a place beneath my skin that I cannot seem to scratch. The hairs on the back of my neck rise.

“With that, we have decided to increase our tactics at all fronts. More WatchGuards will be sent on missions across the New World and border cities. We have reason to believe that the Jord is in league with the Southern Continent.”

Gryphon stands up. “Fuck the Jord!”

The whole crowd joins in, bellowing their own curses at the territory just beneath the surface.

Markus continues, “Our training efforts will double, as will our expectations. Expect tougher Battlefield classes. Strenuous tests. And, above all, we will reward loyalty. For the road ahead will not be smooth.”

The crowd stirs, shifting in their seats.

“There has been conversation around the moon and its orbit,” Markus says, and I hold my breath. “The Elders have confirmed that this was exaggerated and false.”

My entire body clenches.

“It is a rumor that we can safely put to bed.”

That’s not fucking true! I’ve seen how the moon’s orbit has impacted the people of Terraguard. What reason would he have to lie about this?

“We want all of your focus on training.”

I grab Ramona’s hand next to me. She grabs Leaf’s.

Fucking liar. I picture Markus tripping on his long Elder robes and smashing his face into the podium.

He clears his throat. “There is another matter in which I want to announce, or rather, a person.” Markus’s dark eyes scan the cadets before him until they land near us. “We have royalty in our ranks.”

I cock my head to the side. Students around me are just as baffled.

“Please help me in welcoming the Prince of the Forest Tribe to the Watch.”

A pregnant pause is followed by a few claps, most of which can be attributed to Esther.