As we step outside, I look back into the hallway one last time and catch a glimpse of Foster striding back into the room of darkness, with his fists balled at his sides, looking as if he’s about to commit murder.
Frowning, I look away. I feel like shit, broken and dirty inside. Not to mention pathetic. I mean, it’s my first day at a new school and I’m being carried out like a damsel in distress. Not a good way to start things off. I want to get down and walk with my head held high, but I can barely keep my eyes open.
Fighting to stay awake, I direct my attention back to Easton. He has a grim look on his face as he glances up at the stormy sky.
When I was in that room, I couldn’t channel my powers outside of my body. Even now, the sky is strangely quiet. I wonder why. If it was from the cold Brody’s friend instilled in my body or something else.
“Where was I?” I ask. “I mean, what was that room I was in?”
His
gaze drops to me. “That’s the room they use to train elemental protectors to fight darkness. While a creature is in there, their powers are restrained within their bodies, because the training is supposed to be a mental thing, since darkness mostly attacks mentally.”
I swallow the lumped in my throat. “It showed me horrible things … Some, I’m not sure if they were true or not, but they were still horrible.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he says as we reach the car. “And I’m sorry we allowed it to happen … Foster and I could feel your fear, but we had no idea where you were because of the restraint on your power … But we could still feel it… that heat and overwhelming …” He pauses, taking a breath. “Nothing like that will ever happen again. We fucked up this time, but I swear we’ll keep a better eye on you from now on.”
I’m not naïve enough to believe they can watch me twenty-four seven. And honestly, I don’t want them to. What I want is to be able to handle those situations myself. Hopefully, in time, after I’ve learned more about my powers, I can do just that.
In fact, I think I’ll make it a goal—to become the most badass elemental enchanter who’s ever lived, one no one will ever mess with. That way, I can protect myself. With what I am, I really do need to.
“East,” I whisper tiredly. “I think I may have really hurt Brody … He kissed me, and then he tipped over and … He was really silent.”
His expression turns guarded. “Whatever happened to Brody, I’m sure he deserved it. You need to remember that, okay? He tried to hurt you, so he brought this on himself.”
I press my hand to my stomach as my gut ravels into tight knots. “What if I killed him?”
“You didn’t.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know a thing or two about elemental enchanters’ powers.” He smiles at me, but it looks all sorts of wrong.
He’s lying.
Something’s wrong.
I did something terrible to Brody.
My powers did something terrible.
Wait …
Images pull at my mind …
“Easton … the darkness in that room … the last thing it said to me was that it needed to somehow go tell its master of darkness what I am and the condition I’m in—”
The roaring of engines cut me off.
I feel a spark of worry blaze through me, but it fizzles out as Easton turns toward two motorcycles zooming in through the gated entrance. The drivers have helmets on, but the way Easton visibly relaxes has me wondering if they’re his brothers.
Two seconds later, my guess is confirmed as Easton mumbles, “Porter and Max are here… They must have felt you.”
“Felt me?” I stare up at him, lost.
“Your fear through the link,” he explains, adjusting me in his arms.
“Oh…” My words get smothered by the loudness of the engines as the motorcycles pull up and park beside us.