We hurried down the stairs, hoping we'd get to the Chancellor before Josie did. Having to work past whatever mess she stirred up would just add to the effort at getting to the real point. I had to inform the Chancellor of everything that was going on. Maybe it could all be related to Ms. Reed's recent contact as well.
But now the waters would be muddied beyond belief.
I shook my head in annoyance of Josie's pestering interference in absolutely every facet of my life. It was beyond maddening.
As we reached the first floor, we moved to the study’s large mahogany doors and listened intently. Voices echoed from within, and we knew we were too late.
Maybe Prof Finneas had reported Josie, and she was getting in trouble.
Maybe Josie was able to spin the details in a way that saved her hide.
Maybe she'd accomplished her mission of making us out to be the bad guys.
I looked into Clayton's eyes as we tried to listen through the door.
His narrowed gaze proved he'd shared the same concerns. His lips pressed together in predictable defeat.
Then, with a shock, the door pulled open, and Josie traipsed out with a smug grin plastered across her face. She sauntered past us like we weren't even there.
I glanced into the study and immediately saw Prof Finneas standing tall next to Ms. Harrison. The two of them gazed out at us with strange expressions. I wasn't sure if it was judgment, disappointment, or outright shame.
Bending my head, I looked past them, and my eyes fell on Chancellor Kelly. At first, I was elated to know she was there and ready to hear my side of the story. But before my relief had time to motor my legs toward them, she lifted a silencing hand.
"I won't be hearing any more today," she stated. "That's quite enough."
My heart plummeted into my feet.
She continued. "The trials are only days away. We will allow the games to determine what is truth and what is lies."
Prof Finneas stepped forward and closed the doors on us.
My jaw fell open as I stared at Clayton.
"She did not just banish us," I said.
"Oh, she did." His head shook in astonishment.
Worry sickened my stomach as I thought of the Chancellor having Josie's lies filling her head without my ability to clarify.
Figures.
It was my life story.
And now I had to continue living it, knowing it was all lies.
My eyes fell in defeat.
"Not so fast, Fireball." Clayton grinned. "If we have to remain silent until the trials, then we need to use this time to make sure we crush it at the games."
Chapter 10
"What do you mean you didn't tell Chancellor Kelly?" Piper's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. "There's a banshee after you, and no one else knows?"
Her reaction wasn't far-fetched. The nagging in my gut proved that. But Chancellor Kelly refused to see us before the trials, and I figured a couple more days wouldn't make all that much difference.
But of course, I'd been known to be wrong before, once or twice.
"So, what's the plan at this point then?" Noah asked, keeping his eyes anywhere but on Clayton.
I walked with him while Clayton stayed behind with Hattie and Asher.
"We practice as much as possible and hope for a chance to look half-way decent at the games." I nudged him with my elbow in the playful way I always had. "Are you going to compete?"
"Hell no," he said. "Why would I ever choose to put myself up for public execution like that?"
I rolled my eyes. "I think you've got more in you than you realize. You just need to tap into it fully."
"And I do this how?" he snarked.
"Not sure yet." I shrugged. "But we'll figure it out."
Piper hopped over.
"What are we conspiring?" she chirped.
"Oh, nothing," I teased. "Just contemplating Noah's big reveal."
"Oh, goodie," she laughed. "It's about time!"
We moved across the vast lawn, knowing our group probably attracted several roaming eyes, but we had no choice. We needed to practice in private and required a lot of space. Going back to the clearing at the labyrinth was our only option, no matter how uncertain we felt about it.
Clayton caught up to us with Hattie and Asher in tow.
"So this time, let's not get so close to the labyrinth. We should stay to the edge where that big sprawl of grass is." He tipped his head, waiting for a response.
"I agree." I nodded. "No need to give the banshee any excuse to re-awaken or materialize."
Noah and Piper turned to me in unison, flashing annoyed glares.
But it was true.
We needed to avoid any poking of the hornet's nest. And if the labyrinth had any real awareness, like the legends said, then it was best to stay away from it altogether.
Passing the remains of the old iron gate, we moved through the secret garden in contemplative silence. The hidden space helped energize us with its peace and tranquility.
As we emerged on the far side, space opened up ahead of us at the clearing. We skirted around its edge, moving to the part farthest away from the labyrinth’s entrance stones.
"So everyone stick to the plan," I said. "Keep an eye on your section of the surrounding woods at all times. I don't expect to see the banshee after Clayton's attack, but you never know."
Everyone nodded, casting nervous glances toward the trees.
With no sign of movement or black cloaks, we began to relax and focus on our intended goal.
Clayton moved up closer to me and then looked at the others.
"So, Shaye and I wanted to show you guys something," he said.
I bit the inside of my cheek, avoiding Noah's response. But Clayton and I had decided to show our small coven what we had discovered the day before.
Everyone closed in tighter around us.
Clayton turned to me and held his hands over mine. He closed his eyes and tightened the muscles in his face. As he concentrated, I open my mind, channeling energy into my palms.
As heat began to generate in my hands, I opened them further, allowing the energy to flow freely between us. I immediately felt Clayton's angst and his inner rage radiating from his palms, and I absorbed it like fuel.
Piper gasped, and my eyes flashed open.
My gaze landed in my hands on the shimmering glow of two purple fireballs whirling in my palms.
"Holy shit," Noah murmured.
Clayton opened his eyes and smiled.
I aimed my palms together, and the two fireballs merged into one. I stretched it and shot small bolts from it, showing the others what I could do with the flames. Then I clapped my hands together and extinguished it.
Everyone's jaws dropped to the floor.
"Shaye, I didn't think you could do that," Piper squealed.
"I couldn't," I agreed. "But when Clayton and I joined forces, it gave us more control over our elements. You guys need to try it."
Piper turned to Noah and reached her hands out. "Want to?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
"Go on," Clayton encouraged him. "It's the only way you can really find out what you're capable of."
Noah shot a quick glance at me, then reached his hands to Piper.
They both closed their eyes and focused.
"Okay, conjure your energy into your palms,” I said. "Feel an opening in your hands, allowing the force from the other to enter." I stared, hoping for something to happen.
After a minute or two, Piper dropped her hands in disappointment.
"Maybe we should try again later," she said.
Noah shook his head. "Figures."
I cringed internally, annoyed that Noah never caught a break. Time and time again, his lack of ability was thrown in his face, and I knew the humiliation he felt.
Hattie and Asher bombed over to us.
"Can we try?" Asher gushed.
A big smile crossed my face. His timing was perfect, taking the attent
ion off Noah.
"Of course," I agreed, knowing their new exposure to their gifts would probably limit their ability to connect.
Hattie stepped closer to Asher with eager eyes. She was a girl of few words, but somehow, she could express her feelings and emotions without any trouble. Her clarity was profound, actually,
Hattie reached her hands toward Asher without hesitation, and he positioned his on top.
"Okay, open your minds to your palms and..." My voice was cut short from the energy that surged around us.
Hattie and Asher held firm eye contact as their palms quaked in front of them. Their gaze held no fear or surprise, only focused concentration.
Glowing yellow light moved from Asher's hands, and the residual radiance sent calming waves through us all. Every knot of tension released in my body and my anxiety melted away. Clayton, Noah, and Piper had similar responses as their shoulders dropped, and their faces hung in relaxed comfort.
Asher's emotional control was easily heightened to an alarming point while he connected to Hattie's force.
I stared as the glowing yellow light streamed into Hattie's hands, causing her to jolt back with wide eyes.
Clayton and I snapped to our protective stances, and just as we moved to stop their connection, Hattie’s head dropped back as she let out a vibration in her voice that reverberated through my bones. The sound was like every noise of the universe combined into one, and I stared at her in open-mouthed shock.
As her timeless hum grew louder, a strange whirling cloud generated where she held her eyes focused. She stared into it with stealth precision while absorbing Asher's yellow energy. The swirling mist grew larger with streaming, iridescent color as she circled her eyes along its edges.
Mesmerized, we all stared into the spiraling blur, and then jumped, as it popped open with the clarity of a window.
I gasped as I stared into the gateway to another realm.
Hattie blinked and shook her head, causing the passageway to close like a vacuum, leaving only a colorful poof of smoke in its wake.
We stared in jaw-dropped shock at young Hattie.
She'd held far more supernatural power than we'd given her credit for, and she'd humbled us with her big reveal.
She blinked at us with a twinkle in her eye, satisfied with her astounding performance.
Poor Asher was still frozen, startled beyond functioning as his hands remained outstretched to where hers had been, reaching at nothing.
"Wow," Clayton said with a notable tremor in his voice. "That was something, Hattie."
She smiled with pride.
Clayton was at a loss for words for the first time in his life, and I couldn't blame him. We hadn't seen anything like that at Hazeldene before. I mean, sure, we'd learned all about the conjuring of portals and gateways, but we'd never actually seen one generated. It was the stuff of fairy tales and bedtime stories.
"Hattie, that was amazing," I said. "Have you ever been able to do that before?"
She shrugged as if I'd asked her about the weather.
"I think so," she said. "It's been a while. I don't really remember." She bent down to inspect a butterfly fluttering through the tall grass.
I glanced at the others with a "what the fuck?" expression, and they shot the same look back at me.
Her nonchalance was almost unsettling, considering she'd just demonstrated one of the most powerful abilities I'd ever seen.
But then, at the same time, it made sense.
She had visions of the past, of these locations around us, from before their decimation by the pressure of time. Maybe her portals were a looking glass of some kind.
I shook my head visibly.
No.
Her portal had a familiarity to it. Something I'd seen or felt before and that was why it hadn't frightened me. It was more like curious intrigue than fear.
"Do you think you could do it again?" I prodded.
"What?" Noah spat. "Hell, no. Who knows what that thing was. It could suck us in, and we'd be lost forever."
Piper nodded uncontrollably with worry plastered across her face.
But Noah's words hit me hard, knocking the breath out of me.
We could be lost forever.
Lost in a portal to another realm.
We'd seen one now with our own eyes, proving their existence. And maybe it had the power to move someone through it. To another time or place.
Like maybe Ms. Reed.
She'd disappeared the day we went into the forbidden woods, following a call that seemed to span time and space. Her disappearance tore at my soul every day because I was the only one there when it happened. I could have saved her. But at the time, I'd had no idea what became of her.
My mind raced along a narrow plane, one that led me to ideas and possibilities that I'd never considered before.
Ms. Reed might have been sucked into a portal when we were at Hell's Gates. And if that was true, then maybe Hattie could help us get her out.
My heart rate tripled in speed as I considered it.
I turned to Clayton with wide-eyes, and he held my stare. With a nod, he let me know that he had just had the exact same idea.
Our minds were on the same wave, and we knew it. The steadfast look in his eye proved he believed we were on to something, and I huffed in disbelief of the discovery.
"Maybe we can throw the banshee through that thing," Noah blasted out of nowhere.
My head shot in his direction as his words through my train of thought off track.
He lifted one shoulder. "I don't know. It could be useful, I guess."
My air blew out, deflating me. I'd been so focused on finding a solution to rescuing Ms. Reed, I'd forgotten about the banshee. But now, with Noah's reminder, I had to consider all options.
Maybe he was right. The portal might be able to stop the banshee.
Maybe I was right. The portal could save Ms. Reed.
We wouldn't know for sure until we tested it out some more.
I looked at each member of our small coven, knowing that today's experience had brought us tighter together. We were becoming stronger by the day. And with a small bit of time left until the trials, we had the opportunity to get even better.
"So, meet back here tomorrow for a final dress rehearsal?" I said.
Gathering on the porch, we blinked through tired eyes watching the sunrise. I couldn't remember whose idea it was to meet so early. Sure, we'd have more time and privacy, but at the moment, sleep was my preferred bonus.
"Pretty," Piper sang, gazing at the vibrant colors streaked across the low clouds.
The morning air was crisp and energizing, adding to the excitement of the day.
It was our final opportunity to train for the Fire Festival trials, and being named ambassador had been my sole focus for so long.
Until now.
Now, my training had shifted. Its focus was on Hattie. On Ms. Reed. And on the banshee.
All other details seemed trivial now.
But at the same time, they were all connected. The preparation for the trials was what brought us to this point in the first place. I had to wonder if there was a hidden intention there all along.
Heading toward the secret garden, Hattie remained close by my side. It felt natural, but at the same time, I wondered if she was frightened.
Clayton walked beside her, bookending her between us, while Asher ran ahead.
"Don't go out of sight," I called after him, not knowing what today might bring.
As we passed through the garden paths to the far side, the clearing’s open air spread out before us. A chill ran through me, reminding me that danger was never far.
"So, what's the plan?" Noah asked, pulling up next to me. "You should practice your fire more, like try to do it without his help." He shot a glance at Clayton.
I nearly choked on my spit.
"Yeah, true." I had to admit he wasn't wrong in suggesting I gain independence with my skill. "I just don't know if it's someth
ing I can do without him."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them.
And the defeated look on Noah's face confirmed my regret.
It was like striking the final nail in his coffin, and I hadn't meant to do it.
But it was too late. The damage was done.
Piper's eyes hung with concern, and she scurried up, taking his arm.
"Noah, I think you misunderstand," she said. "What we're learning is that we need each other to fully embrace our gifts. You need to keep trying too."
I released my held breath. She was a savior, helping to redirect Noah's hurt feelings.
And she was right.
"That's it, Piper," I chimed. "We need to expand. We need to combine all six of us. Imagine the power we would have."
My wide eyes nearly fell out of my head at the revelation.
We gathered at the grassy area to the side of the labyrinth, and scanned the edge of the trees. The early morning dew glistened on every blade of grass as mist rose from the meadow. It cast an ethereal vibe through the area, adding to the mystique of our mission.
Forming a close circle, we remained silent, channeling our energy into the center. It felt like a morning meditation group as we each became centered within ourselves, and then with each other.
"It feels like we're in alignment," Clayton stated. "Like we're all on the same plane."
I glanced around the circle, and as I looked at each member of our new coven, I felt like I was looking at myself.
Clayton was right. We'd found each other in the rhythm of our minds, and we were connected.
"Let's put our hands out toward the person on either side," I said. "Right palm up and left palm down."
"Don't touch," Clayton added. "Just hover."
The six of us set our hands out, creating a chain of energy that moved through the circle. At first, it felt like a gentle breeze washing over us, but as we concentrated harder, focusing our essence into our palms, the energy grew stronger. It moved from a breeze to a spinning vortex, streaming through our circle with a surge of light.
My eyes widened as heat grew in my palms. With my heart racing, I controlled my fire, allowing its power to remain within the energy of the group.
Mystic Coven: Fire Festival (Supernatural Academy Graduates Book 1) Page 11