At least not without the Immortals by my side.
“You don’t have to agree,” Marielle replies. She nods at the twins and they jump on me, grabbing my arms. I fight back but Luke gets me around the waist, jerking me toward his chest. His muscular arms clamp around me and the twins hold me by the wrist. Marielle takes the blade and slices it across my palm. I hiss in pain, while feeling the bloom of magic spreading across my skin.
“Thank you,” Marielle says with a smile. She then gathers the blood of the others and collects it on the tip of the blade, walking up to the statue.
I get that same nauseous feeling. The one I get every time I look at the statue and it hits me with it’s obviousness.
The statue holds the key.
The orb.
Gods. How didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I see it? The orb has been calling to me since I got to the school. The negative feelings, the flicker of light. How did I miss it?
The Immortals. I was too busy thinking, tasting, and exploring them.
Roland called it back at the Nead. My pussy would distract us all.
I slam my foot down on one of the twins, forcing her to release my arm. The move allows me to elbow Luke in the gut and kick the second twin in the shin. I lunge for Marielle but she’s a step ahead of me, just out of reach. She holds the blade over her head and a drop of blood falls on the inky black surface.
“No!” I shout, grabbing at her robe. I tug her back, and the blade falls, clattering to the ground. Marielle turns, her nails out and her teeth bared. I fight her off, unaware of Luke getting the blade until he’s standing above the orb, blade high over his head, bringing it down in one powerful stab.
&nb
sp; The instant the tip hits, the orb shatters, a blinding light flashes out, knocking me back.
I land on my elbows and I blink, trying to regain my sight. I see Luke, large and shadowy, reach into the palm of the demon. He lifts something out and the monster outside the walls roars, making the grounds shudder.
It isn’t brass. Or iron. Or a metal of any kind.
It’s a key.
Made of stone.
38
Marshal
My boots slap against the stone floors, bouncing an echo down the hall. When I get to Miya’s room I slam my fist against the door. He opens it a second later, forehead furrowed.
“Something’s wrong,” I tell him. “Rupert had a vision.”
He sheaths his sword. “The Crusade?”
“Maybe? I don’t know. He was vague and it was powerful. He’s still in the room, sick. Where are the others?”
“He’s sick?”
I know, it’s unusual and only happens when he’s close to the person involved. My own stomach turns at the implication. We’ve all become closer to one person lately.
Miya glances across the hall at Agis’ room. I don’t wait to knock, opening the door. I find him on the floor in the middle of a set of pushups.
“Do you know where Armin and Hildi are?” I ask.
“They had patrol tonight, right? Outside?” He looks over my shoulder. Miya is there, nodding.
“Rupert had a vision. We need to find them.”
Agis hops to his feet. There’s no need for him to bring a weapon. The scythe and cloak come at will. I have a feeling we may need it.