Broken Kingdom (Corium University Trilogy 3)

Students and teachers huddle in small circles. Their eyes are suddenly on us. You can taste everyone’s fear in the air, and I don’t blame them for being afraid.

I think I’d be more worried if they weren’t scared. Someone tugs me by the arm, and I look up to find Quinton pulling me closer as a few students push through the body of students.

“What the hell is going on?” two students yell in almost unison while a flurry of whispers travels through the room. The air is thick enough to cut with a knife.

Scanning the crowd, I see a few familiar teachers trying to abate them, but if I’m being honest, they look just as terrified as the students.

“Okay, everyone, stay calm. The worst thing we can do is panic. All that matters is that everyone is safe,” one teacher yells over the rising voices of the students who are clearly being driven by fear.

“We’re being attacked. How can we be calm?” one fires back, and the conversation becomes full-on yelling a moment later.

I block it out and scoot closer to Quinton.

Vito and Ren stand beside Quinton and me, the four of us forming our own tiny circle. Even though we’re inside, there is a slight chill in the air.

“What the hell is going on?” Ren asks through his teeth. I watch his eyes as he scans the area as if he’s waiting for someone to jump out and attack us.

“It’s not like they’re lying; there was an unexplained explosion, and if someone tried to blow up Corium, we’re technically being attacked,” Vito comments, his voice low.

My own worries start to build as the students become angrier, and Quinton continues to remain silent. I have to do something, we have to do something because if the students turn on each other, on the teachers, this could get bloody.

Taking Quinton’s hand into mine, I squeeze it, forcing his attention to me. “We have to do something!”

16

QUINTON

Too many thoughts swirl around in my head, almost like they’re being pushed deeper into my brain by outside forces. I can’t focus on one thing at a time with so much pressing in on all sides.

The growing noise makes it impossible, too. All I want is a way to keep Aspen safe. If it means making sure the rest of these assholes survive, so be it. I couldn’t care less. First, they need to shut up so I can think.

This is about to turn into an ugly situation, with students shouting at teachers while other students try to step in and calm things down. Any moment now, fists will start flying.

Something has to stop this. The problem is, I’m unsure of what that will be.

Until Aspen takes my hand. Until she looks up at me with all the trust in the world. She needs me and believes I can fix things. I have no choice but to live up to that.

The scene around me goes from chaos to crystal clarity. The other students are still panicked, and the staff is at a loss for an explanation, but I’m able to see through it now. It’s obvious what needs to be done. I release Aspen’s hand before addressing everyone.

First things first. “Everybody, shut the fuck up!” My voice echoes in the enormous space until I’m bellowing. It’s enough to silence the whining and accusations and demands as efficiently as if I flipped a light switch. Even the staff go still, eyes wide, mouths hanging open.

I turn to Vito. He’s useless, but I’m willing to use him for my purposes. “Get a handful of people together and light the fireplaces. We need to warm this place up.” Already my breath forms a thin cloud in front of my face.

His brows shoot up. “Who put you in charge?”

“You’re lucky you didn’t say that louder.” I force a smile for the sake of those watching. “If you want to have a tongue by the time the night’s over, you’ll do what I say before shit starts falling apart again.” The look I give him must convey my seriousness. He falls back a step as if remembering who he’s dealing with.

“He’s right,” Ren agrees. “We can’t hang around forever without doing something to stay warm.”

Vito stalks off, choosing his crew and waving them aside. The questions fly fast and heavy, and I raise a hand to signal for silence. “Once the fireplaces are lit, and Ren’s team finds candles and lanterns to set up, we’ll be in better shape.”

It makes enough sense to convince a few students to move behind Vito, at least. When a handful of the teachers follow, it seems to encourage Ren’s team to fall in line. The staff will know where to find emergency supplies, I imagine.

This leaves me with Aspen and a handful of stragglers. “We have to stay together until this passes. No wandering around. There’s damage to the stairs, so don’t bother trying to use them. If you brought your phones and they have a good charge, use them as flashlights to get back and forth from the bathroom if necessary.”