Part 26 (1/2)

The Key of Light lay where I had dropped it, on top of the open chest.

My cracked lips broke into a small smile; the White Ring was gone. Carefully, I picked up the Key and slipped the chain around my neck, hiding it under my s.h.i.+rt.

No sooner had I done that than there came a thud from above, then another. Someone was trying to break through the fireplace.

I took a deep breath. I was taking the Key of Light back to Astra. I didnt care what Oliva wanted with it, and I certainly didnt care about my team winning Tactical, not with Daisy and Camilla as part of it.

Trying to ignore the fact that I wanted to collapse, I looked around for somewhere to hide, but I knew it was useless. Fading into a corner wouldnt work. I had to confront whoever had come after me.

While I was trying to figure out what to do, another section of the ceiling fell in. With a cry I threw myself into the boxes along the wall, again landing with a thud as dirt and chunks of ceiling rained down on me. If I hadnt had my magic, I surely wouldve been crushed. As it was, I was able to create a coc.o.o.n over my head to protect myself from the worst of the debris.

Hows it going down there? Facis nasty voice called out.

I coughed and didnt respond.

Charlotte, dear, youd be much better off just coming up. Its over now. Youre alone. There isnt anything you can do. That was Camilla.

My heart sank. I had wanted to get the Key of Light back to Astra to open my mothers chest, but that looked out of the question now.

Get her up, Faci ordered.

I scrambled to my feet. My hands were cut from where Id landed on them, and a plume of dust came up around me.

Dobrov jumped down into the pit and landed near me, cus.h.i.+oning himself somehow with his own magic. He was silent as he came toward me.

Dont struggle, he said, getting closer. I braced myself. I was no match against all of them.

He came up right in front of me, so close it was all I could do not to step backward. But I would not show fear; I would not give them the satisfaction. With a speed that surprised me, though, Dobrov leaned forward and whispered, Give it to me. Quickly. Ill get it back to you as soon as I can.

I stared at him, trying to read his expression. Knowing I didnt have a choice and understanding that he could very well be lying, I quickly removed the necklace that had been mine for so little time. I placed it in Dobrovs hand and it disappeared into his pocket. He nodded and stepped back, then grabbed me bodily. Faci had dropped a ladder, and Dobrov pointed for me to climb it first.

Once we were both in the living room of Malles old house, I looked around at Faci, Camilla, and Daisy. Rain still lashed the windows.

Isnt my brother wonderful? Daisy asked dreamily. Always does what hes told. She patted Dobrovs cheek, while he remained impa.s.sive. I held my breath, waiting to see if hed give them the Key of Light, but he said nothing.

Well, where is it? Faci demanded, holding out his hand. Give it over.

I dont have it, I said.

Facis eyes burned and his lips, already almost non-existent, got thinner.

Of course you have it, he hissed. Give it to me. Now.

He reached for me and I stepped back, right into Daisys arms. I flinched at the contact with her clammy hands.

I glanced around. Outside it was pouring, so thick and dark and fast it looked black outside.

Theres no help for you, said Faci, taking a menacing step forward. You may not have the Key, but theres still no help for you.

Camilla raised her hand to strike me, but just at that moment, with no warning whatsoever, the door burst open and Sip came cras.h.i.+ng in.

I gasped as Sip bounded forward, placing herself between me and my attacker.

The werewolf growled.

Get out of here, werewolf, Daisy said, glaring. We have work to do.

I wanted to tell them to stop this, that they couldnt hurt me because the game was over, but that would mean admitting I had found the Key and revealing that Dobrov had it now.

Werewolf magic wasnt like other magics. Sip didnt cast spells unless she was forced into it by the most dire circ.u.mstances. I rarely saw her ring blaze, unlike the four black rings that surrounded us now.

But werewolves had power, and Sip was never lacking in fight.

Her purple eyes sparked, heat radiated off her back, and she lunged at Camilla, who toppled backward.

Sip, NO, Lough cried, bursting through the door, quickly followed by Rake and Trafton.

A full-on battle raged between my friends and the attacking Nocturns, here in the most random place of all, Malles old office.

Faci squared off with Lough and Trafton while Camilla challenged Sip. Dobrov tugged me out of the line of fire. No matter how hard I tried to pull my arm out of his grip, he was stronger than I was.

Come on, he said, no use getting killed.

Faci had Trafton by the neck, and it was looking grim for the dream giver when a familiar voice, in very unfamiliar circ.u.mstances, interrupted our battle.

What is this meaning of this? The voice was cold, colder than I had ever heard it before.

Keller Erikson stepped through the doorway, his black hair wet and his beautiful blue eyes scanning us, his voice as cold as a blast from an ice mage.

We were led back to Oliva, who was surrounded by professors. Keller walked in front of us and stopped to stand with Goffer. I felt like I was being arrested. Faci, Daisy, Camilla, and Dobrov were all allowed to go free. They werent the ones who had started it, claimed the Academy officers who had broken up the fight. Goffer stood silently, his eyes hard. I could see Cale, studiously ignoring me. There were other senior paranormals there, many more than there had been when the session of Tactical had started.

My friends kept giving me furtive glances, looking to see how I was taking the news that Keller had returned to Paranormal Public without telling me, that he had come to break up our fight, and worst of all, that instead of letting us go he was turning us over to Oliva.

My breath was coming in ragged gasps and I felt sick and confused, thats how I was taking it. I might be glad he had broken up the fight, since Faci was strong and he lacked the grip on reality the rest of us possessed, making him all the more dangerous. But I wanted Kellers eyes to light up when he saw me, as they used to. And as I had dreamed theyd do again.

But it had been the exact opposite.

Whats happening? Lough demanded.

Shut up, one of the officers ordered.

Oliva stepped forward.