Page 62 of The Last Aether

“I will.” He gave my hand a pat and stood. “I’ll let you know if I find out anything of note.”

“Thanks. I’ll put these back before I leave.”

Quincy nodded, but he was already moving towards the door, his mind somewhere else entirely.

I got to my feet and gathered our books, placing them back on the cart that Quincy had pulled them from.

“Are you ready to return to the dorm, Your Highness?” Egan asked.

“Please, call me Aura.”

His mouth thinned. “It’s not appropriate.”

“If anyone says anything, tell them I commanded you.”

A flicker of a smile teased his lips. “Fair enough.”

I grabbed my bag. “Let’s blow this popsicle stand.”

Egan choked on a laugh but nodded.

We made our way out of the library and down the stairs. As we headed towards the exit, a girl I’d seen a few times ran down the hall, out of breath. “I-I think I saw a Network assassin.”

Egan and Carn were on alert in a flash.

“Where?” Egan demanded.

“In the woods right outside. He was hiding in the tree line in one of those creepy hoods.”

Egan was already removing his gun from his holster. “Stay here. Guard the aether,” Egan commanded Carn.

Blood roared in my ears as I watched Egan run towards the exit. The girl trembled. “I’m going to find a phone to call security.”

Carn nodded. “Hurry.”

My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms.

Shouts sounded from outside, and my stomach lurched. “Go,” I told Carn.

He shook his head. “I have to stay with you.”

“I’m commanding you. You have to listen to me, right? I’m your future leader and all that stuff.”

Carn’s gaze pulled towards the door, and I knew he wanted in on the battle.

“Go. Please. Help Egan.” If Egan died because of me, I’d never forgive myself.

“Stay here. Don’t move,” Carn ordered.

I nodded quickly and he took off, running outside.

I listened as carefully as I could, but I couldn’t hear a thing. Holding my breath, I waited for a sign of either of them. There was nothing.

But not for long. A hand fisted in my hair, yanking me back so hard I saw stars. And then I was falling.

35

I grabbed onto the arm that had caught me by the hair, scrambling to get my feet back under me. I dug my nails into the person’s flesh, and they shrieked in pain.