Immortal Consequences(76)

“Screw this,” Masika muttered. A shard of light appeared at the center of the room, a sphere of flames hovering at the base of her palm. “I’m not going to just sit here in total darkness and wait for this thing to get us.”

August darted toward her. “Put that out. Now.”

“Why?”

A sound echoed in the distance—a loud whirring noise. The flapping of wings.

August stepped closer. “Do it.”

Masika flinched, her expression darkening. She shut her palm and the flames vanished.

“Happy?”

“Bloody thrilled.”

The darkness consumed them once more. Emilio sucked in a sharp breath, his entire body going rigid. Olivier, who was still beside him, scooted closer, placing his hand firmly on top of Emilio’s forearm. He didn’t need to say anything. The unspoken words rattled between them.

It’s okay. I’m here.

Masika let out a frustrated sigh. “Does anybody know what we’re actually dealing with?”

“Wren should know,” Irene sneered. “Considering she’s the reason it’s here in the first place.”

Wren groaned. It sounded like she was straining to stand. “I’m not sure. I couldn’t get a good look at it. But it’s definitely shadow magic of some sort.”

A shriek splintered through the night.

“That doesn’t sound like shadow magic,” Olivier commented with a shudder. “That sounds…alive.”

“Well, whatever it is, we need to find a way to get rid of it,” Irene snapped. “Cowering in this room isn’t going to change anything. I say we go out there and face it head-on. I’m sure someone else must have heard it. There are probably Housemasters and a horde of Ascended on their way already.”

“The dormitories are far,” Emilio muttered warily. “And it’s past curfew. Most people are asleep. So unless someone miraculously woke up and heard it…” His voice trailed away, though the implication was clear.

They were on their own.

“It doesn’t matter,” Wren said. “The fewer people involved the better. That thing is dangerous. It…it almost killed me.”

“Killed you?” Irene cackled. “Did you hit your head or something? We’re already dead.”

“It’s true,” Olivier whispered. “I saw her. If August hadn’t found her when he did…she wouldn’t have made it.”

“Bullshit,” Masika muttered, clearly unconvinced. “That’s impossible.”

“Look, we don’t have time to argue,” August interjected. “It doesn’t matter if you believe us. But Wren is right. That thing is dangerous. We shouldn’t involve other students. We should deal with it ourselves.”

“Fine,” Irene sighed. “Then what do you suggest we do?”

The plan was simple. They obviously had the upper hand when it came to numbers, so the sensible thing was to split up into pairs and attack the creature from all sides. It couldn’t fight them all at once, so they’d have the perfect opportunity to overwhelm it and, ultimately, destroy it. Something that, regrettably, none of them could confirm was actually possible. It was an assumption. A theory.

But it was going to have to be enough.

“Masika and I will head west.” Irene flexed her fingers and produced a shard of brilliant silver light from her fingertips. “We can use the old shed for cover.”

“I’m staying with Loughty,” August said. It clearly wasn’t a suggestion. “She’s too weak to hold her own. We’ll move farther north, back toward the main grounds; that way I’ll still be able to damage the creature, but I can relocate her back toward the dorms if need be.”

“August,” Wren muttered, wincing under her breath. “I’m fine. You don’t have to coddle me.”

He shook his head. “It’s not up for discussion.”

“But—”

“Oh, just listen to him,” Irene interjected, the shards of light traveling up her arms in agitation. “We don’t have time for you two to bicker back and forth like an old married couple.”

“Fine.” Wren glanced up at August. “But at least give me the chance to fight back.”

August, who seemed utterly transfixed, lost somewhere in the depths of his mind, nodded in response.

Emilio sighed and glanced up at Olivier. The reflection of Irene’s magic haloed his face, illuminating his profile in a soft glow. “I suppose that means you’re stuck with me.”

Olivier’s eyes slid over to him, the corners of his lips tugging into a smirk.

“I suppose so.”

“Great,” Irene said, bristling. “Now let’s get the hell out of here before I lose my goddamn mind.”

“After you, Your Highness,” Olivier said, mockingly bowing his head. Irene dismissed his comment with an uninterested wave as she opened the door and stepped outside. Masika trailed behind her, sparks sprouting from her skin. Emilio watched as the two of them disappeared into the darkness.

August went next. “Come on, Loughty. Keep up.”

Wren shot him a glare, opening her mouth to retort, but August was already crossing the threshold into the night. Olivier trailed behind Wren, moving swiftly through the darkness, and Emilio, of course, could do nothing but follow suit.