29. Ivy #2
“No,” Archer interrupts before my mind can spiral.
“Well, I wouldn’t be shocked if he sticks his dick in the dirt or something, but it’s only really the Fire Protectors that are known for generating heat in unconventional ways,” he explains, and I nod, digesting the information as my jealousy-infused racing heart starts to calm.
“Land Protectors connect with the earth, Water Protectors connect with the water, and Air Protectors give in to the sky.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. It’s hot when you’re jealous. Hotter when you’re jealous over me, but hot nonetheless.”
“You can stop saying hot now,” I grumble, and he grins, but it doesn’t last long because he looks off in the distance and his narrowed features return.
His finger clenches around mine, holding me in place as he nods.
Following his line of sight, I have no idea what I’m searching for until I spy the silhouette of Silas dropping to his knees.
I gasp, and Archer presses a finger to his lips. I hold back my eye roll as I take his lead, mindful to be as quiet as possible as we grow nearer, but the closer we get, the more I want to turn and run.
It’s not just Silas on his knees; there are others.
I can’t make them out from here, but the pinnacle moment of knowing everything is about to change sears through my veins, tainting me forever.
I startle at the press of bark against my back as Archer shields me behind a tree, crowding my space as he glances toward the random group.
“It looks like Silas, who is obviously a Fire Protector, but the other three I believe are each from the other sodalities.” I glance around the tree to see for myself, but it’s difficult from this angle. “Fuck.”
“What?”
“The Water Protector is Odesa,” he rasps, and my veins turn to ice.
“Let’s kill them,” I snap, my magic burning to the surface, but Archer plants his hand on my shoulder, calming me just enough to see through the red haze clouding my vision.
“I think the Air Protector is named Garrett, and the Land Protector is Willa.”
“What are they doing?”
“I don’t know, they’re just… kneeling there.”
“Do you think they’re waiting for Leonardo?” I press, trying to take another look.
“I don’t know, but they’re doing something.”
A beacon of light bolts into the sky, casting a glow over the forest, and my breath lurches in my chest.
“The Rejuvenating Ceremony has begun.”
“That’s what it looks like from out here?” I blurt, and Archer nods. “It’s pretty,” I whisper, watching what almost looks like glitter dust across the sky as the light stands brightly above us.
The snap of a twig in the distance yanks my attention back to the present, and I wish it hadn’t.
“Reports.”
One word, a command, and each of the kneeling students begins to speak.
I can’t hear their responses from here, and from the looks of it, neither can Archer.
“Do you think that’s good enough for me to report back to Leonardo?” the voice barks, pain detonating through my limbs as I gape.
“That’s our mole, and those are their minions,” Archer declares, confirming my suspicions, and I can see the disappointment on his face.
“What do we do?” I breathe, clutching his hand.
“We get answers,” he replies, and I nod, determination seeping through me as adrenaline takes over, and before I can process what’s happening, we’re charging through the forest, eyes set on our target.
“What about the others? We should tell them,” I whisper.
“They’re already here,” Archer confirms, swiftly pointing toward the three moving forms all closing in on whatever the hell this is.
Baron’s face is filled with rage, while Sax looks so neutral he almost appears bored, but I know he’s ready to attack at any moment, leaving Teddy to wear a devilish grin, one that no good will come from.
Certain they have them surrounded, Archer takes a step forward, and I see the moment our mole realizes they’ve got an audience greater than they assumed.
“Archer, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the Rejuvenating Ceremony?”
“I could say the same to you, Dorian.”
The slice of his name through the air makes my stomach twist, making the realization all the more real.
“I have everything under control here. Let’s not do anything hasty,” he replies, dragging a nervous hand through his hair.
“What is there to be hasty about?” Archer asks, his voice calmer than I expect, and Dorian shrugs, holding his hands out at his sides.
“We both know there’s no point in me lying.”
“What would there be to lie about?” I press, and his eyes find mine.
“Oh, sweet Ivy. I always hoped you would learn of my accomplishments one day,” he says with a wide, prideful smile, and I grimace.
“I can’t say I’m happy,” I reply honestly, and Archer discreetly shuffles me to his other side, his palm warm against mine.
“I’ve only ever had good intentions when it comes to you,” he promises, but Archer’s hand turns to ice against my skin, and I gulp.
“Are you working with Leonardo Corrigan?” I ask, and he nods.
“With honor,” he vows, and my chest tightens.
Nothing scares me more than someone so in the wrong who profoundly believes they’re in the right.
“What is your plan here tonight?” Archer asks, and Dorian shakes his head.
“I like talking to her instead.”
Heat forms at Archer’s touch.
Reluctant to give in to him, I exhale slowly before repeating Archer’s original question. “What is your plan here tonight?”
“The same plan as every Rejuvenating Ceremony; I check in with my… aids.”
The people he’s referring to don’t move; they remain on their knees with their heads dipped, seemingly oblivious to the confrontation going on around them.
“And what is it they aid you with?”
“Helping Leonardo, of course.”
“What does he need help with?”
“You.”
My eyebrows rise as Archer’s hand remains warm against mine. “Why do I have anything to do with any of this?”
He shakes his head. “You didn’t accept the relic,” he states, his eyes widening and his pupils blown.
“I didn’t need to. The Fates showed me instead.”
“No they didn’t.”
“They did, I—”
“They didn’t show you what was in the relic because there was nothing in the relic,” he snaps, his face reddening under the night sky, and I gulp.
“I don’t understand.”
His hand lifts in my direction. “If you just—”
Before he can finish his sentence, Baron knocks him to the ground, the two fighting on the forest floor as I race toward them. Dorian is no match for Baron, who has him trapped in some crazy hold with his arms twisted behind his back and his legs tangled with his.
“I say we just fucking kill him,” Sax grunts, and Teddy nods.
“He’s basically helped those who killed our mate. I say he deserves it,” he adds, and Dorian chuckles, the sound haunting as his eyes land on mine.
“You can do what you want to me; it doesn’t matter. The time is coming. The Kingdom Champions are going to fight, and the only way you have any hope of coming out on top is with that relic.”
The smug grin on his lips doesn’t last longer than two seconds before a clenched fist smashes against his face, wiping it for good.