Page 42 of The Last Aether

Kerry chuckled as she released me. “You’ve definitely kept the school on its toes.”

“What about you? How have things been in the dorm?”

She made a face. “Drue and Xena are on a two-woman mission to try to turn the school against you. They tried to buddy up with me to convince me you were evil incarnate.”

My jaw dropped.

Kerry laughed as she kicked a rock. “Like that would work. I’ve lived in the same kingdom with those two all my life. I know how heinous they are. Once they realized I was a lost cause, they just started torturing me more.”

“I’m sorry, Kerry. Maybe I can get the guys to put a guard on the room.”

She shook her head. “I can deal. It just makes me stronger, right?”

“You’re the biggest badass I know.”

Kerry slowed, arching a brow in my direction. “More of a badass than Mr. Comes Home Covered In Blood?”

I winced at the reminder. That wasn’t really who Phoenix was. It was just what he would do for the people he loved. “Maybe you guys are tied.”

She snorted. “I almost peed myself when he was standing in that entryway. And you just went to him.”

I shrugged, a warmth spreading through me. “I love him.”

A gentle smile spread over Kerry’s face. “I’m happy for you, Aura. I mean, I think you’re a little crazy for having the warm and fuzzies for the king of torture and pain, but I’m still happy for you.”

I choked on a laugh. “The king of torture and pain?”

“Tell me it’s not appropriate.”

“It might be a little fitting.”

As we rounded the bend in the path, a hooded figure stepped into the middle of it. The hood was pulled down too low to see the person’s face. My heart picked up speed as my steps halted.

“Aura…” Kerry whispered. “I’m not sure they’re friendly.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. I scanned the woods, hoping for anyone. Another student. Professor Belthorn. Kai. But there was no one.

The figure lifted his hands and fire swirled around them, forming into a ball. I didn’t have time for the terror to set in because in the next breath, that fire was hurtling towards me.

23

The ball of fire spun faster and faster, heading towards me at a speed that I’d never seen fire move. I knew I needed to get out of the way, to dive for shelter, but I couldn’t move. My muscles were locked. Frozen in the fear of all those years ago.

Screams. Smoke. Falling.

It was the sensation of falling that broke me from my state. I might have been powerless then, but I wasn’t now. At the last second, I hurled myself to the side, taking Kerry with me.

We landed with a muffled oomph and pain flared along my ribs, but I was thankful for that pain. It spurred me to my feet. The dump of adrenaline readying me for the fight.

The figure slowly lowered his hood.

I didn’t recognize the man, but the way he studied me now had a shiver running through me. A long scar bisected his forehead and cheek. The absence of life in his eyes reminded me of King Zephyr. Nothing but cool calculation.

He tilted his head to the side in an unnatural way. No neck should bend like that.

“Come to me and I’ll make your end painless.”

His voice was void of any emotion, almost robotic in its intonation.