Part 22 (2/2)

Well, I wouldnt expect anything complicated from that bunch, I said through gritted teeth. Darrow smiled a little, but all his concentration was in his hands. His ring blazed silver and white, and I felt better immediately. My vision cleared and my arm started to come back to normal.

Darrow s.h.i.+fted and I frowned. The ground, he murmured. If I was anything but a fallen angel, itd be burning my feet.

Oh, I said. I know an advanced pyrotechnics professor.

Okay, said Darrow, clearly not understanding in the least, but accepting that I knew what I was talking about.

Time for phase two, I said, and at that moment I let go of the heat in the ground. Darrow instantly looked relieved.

The clouds, which were nearly black and had long ago blotted out the sun, were ready to burst with rain. As soon as I let the heat in the ground go, the paranormals came sprinting forward.

I didnt see anything except the attack. I felt Darrow release my arm, which was no longer tingling. The dizziness that had been swirling around me was also gone, and with my newfound steadiness I got to my feet. Darrow stepped back and I quickly turned my attention away from him in the urgency of the moment.

I released the rain and used the wind to help it along. I was careful to avoid the stands and to keep my onslaught confined to a specific location, just as Professor Erikson was teaching us. In this case, I concentrated on the area surrounding me that the students were trying to penetrate.

Theyre still going to get through, Darrow yelled over the whipping wind.

If they want to lose their skin, sure, I cried back. Its their choice.

Darrow looked grim, but he stopped arguing with me.

I was right. The students tried to run through the barrier, but they couldnt. As an added benefit, none of them had any experience in fighting either elementals or this type of magic, which meant that their useless defenses collapsed under the slamming water, while Darrow, Jackle, and I remained dry.

We have to get out of here, Jackle cried.

I nodded. How do you propose we do that?

The problem with this sort of defense was that as much as it kept others out, it also kept us in.

Jackle had an answer, though. Throw the water back at them. Instead of calling it straight down, make it attack them. A few seconds should be enough to let us get away.

I didnt hesitate. With just a little wind I redirected the water.

Now! Jackle cried.

The three of us ran. Our flight from our Tactical opponents gave me a new appreciation for Sip, Lough, and Lisabelle, and even for Trafton and Rake. Darrow and Jackle were protecting me, but it wasnt comfortable or smooth. They nearly collided with each other, prompting a mutual glare. Trying to ignore them, I took a deep breath and used the last bit of wind I had to throw the water in the faces of any pursuers that might have tried to stick with us.

Unfortunately for us, we had now reached the foot of the hill, and we had to start climbing. It slowed us down, and by the time we got to the top Darrow was breathing hard.

I need to return to my team, he said. Im already in trouble.

Come on, said Jackle, reaching to grab my arm again. But this time I pulled it away from him.

Pretty sure I just proved I can take care of myself, I said. You follow me this time.

We hurried to the nearest end of the Long Building, mostly because I was so familiar with it. Since the game had started I hadnt seen Sip or Lough, and I wondered if they were already close to finding the Key of Light with its protective White Ring. I also wondered where Daisy and Camilla had gotten to, since I hadnt seen them either.

They shouldnt have left you, Jackle panted. Do they want to lose? What were they thinking?

They were being smart, I said. They forced me to expose some of my strengths while keeping me busy as they looked for the hidden Key. They knew I wouldnt go quietly. They want that Key for something.

Theres no way theyd know you would beat all those paranormals, Jackle argued.

I shrugged. I was pretty sure thats exactly what theyd hoped for.

Just then a voice boomed, Just enough. The sound reverberated over the rolling fields, up the hill, and amongst the campus buildings. It was Oliva, calling a halt for the day. After my little rain attack stunt the sun was s.h.i.+ningly brightly again, though so much time had gone by that night would soon fall and it would be dinner time.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw the three pixies cresting the hill. They were all soaking wet. I tried not to smirk.

Careful, I said. Maybe next time you go out you should take an umbrella.

The pixie hurled the spellbinder into the dirt as Jackle guffawed.

We had won, for now. But I wondered what sort of victory it was when winning was merely not dying at the hands of pure evil.

Chapter Thirty-Two.

Dinner that night was a little different from what it had been in recent weeks. Sip, Lough, and I were sitting by ourselves discussing Tactical, but the room was charged with energy. I knew various paranormals were angry that I had attacked them, specifically the pixies.

Im SO sorry, said Sip, her purple eyes wide.

For what? I asked, taking another bite of chicken pot pie.

For leaving you, said Sip, scandalized. Im so sorry.

You cant do everything all the time, Lough pointed out gruffly. He hadnt apologized for disappearing, but I didnt expect him to. As a dream giver he had almost as big a target on his back as I did.

I can try, said Sip hotly. What do you care, anyway?

You think we can do everything for everyone, and we just cant, said Lough darkly.

Sip tossed her hair and ignored him. Whatever.

Lough moved his food around on his plate and avoided eye contact, but I could tell he was bothered about something.

No one found the Key, or we could have heard about it, right? I said. Why do you think Oliva wants it?

Like everyones saying, said Sip, shrugging. For Caid.

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