The first thing we saw was the glow—small at first, and then rapidly growing as Galeran’s Watcher built the gate to bring her scouting party home.
I was seized by the temptation to dive, to blast through that gate so fast she couldn’t stop me, and travel to wherever it would take me. But both Galeran and Isobel were too clever to have it take them directly to their lair.
So instead, after the gate had closed behind them, Haki and I hovered above it to mark the spot where the portal was built. Chances were good that Isobel would use the same terminus on this end to bring the army through.
Then we landed a ways away, and I texted the coordinates to Jacques.
Send them with Sparkle,I texted.Tell them we have something.
41
Anna
I blinked awake in the darkness, troubled, but unsure as to why.
We lay on Matt’s bed. I had no recollection of coming back here. My last clear memory was of crying while he held me in his arms beneath the gazebo.
You fell asleep. I carried you back here.His voice had a curious note to it, a mix of excitement and dread.
What time is it?
Just before dawn,he answered.
None of this explained what I sensed radiating off him, nor, as I reached outward, the activity I perceived deeply within the building. Not among the students. Among the instructors.
What is going on?
He sighed.Talakai knows where Galeran will strike next.
He told you?
Only after I asked. Saw the meadow gate light up while I carried you here. Sabres and Dragons have been filing through ever since.
I sat up.Are they planning an attack?
I expect so.
Then we need to be part of it!
His strong arm pulled me back down to him.Think, Angel. How likely is that? This is in the council’s hands, and the Dragons’. They are going after Galeran.
But what about Sebastian?I was almost frantic as I fought my way clear of his arms.Surely Cara intends for us to be there.
He was silent for a moment.I brought you back three hours ago. They’ve been streaming through ever since. And no one has come for us.
I swallowed and stared out the window, dimly outlined by the moonlight. I traced my new knuckle rings with my other hand—the chains linking the two I had clinked softly, and the crystals gleamed at me. The unadorned fingers awaited my other two mates...
How can they leave us out of this?
To them, we are only recruits.Matt said.Not ready, or even able, to help them.
Sebastian...I reached for him, searching desperately for the contact that I craved. And found—nothing.
Not nothing, exactly. I think I’d know if he were dead. But he wasn’t open to me. And I was afraid to shout for him.
I pushed myself off the bed and grabbed Talakai’s sword.
“We’re going to talk to Cara, aren’t we?” Matt sighed.
