Chapter 26
Maximus sends a Fateball slamming into the floating net, and I let out a whoop.
“Eat ball, Farrington!”
Love this game.
When we’ve killed the Conclave, banished the dark energy to the void, oh, and rescued any other children that need rescuing, I really hope Fateball still exists.
Alexis blows his whistle. “That’s time, go shower.”
As he walks past me, I decide it’s the perfect moment to try something new I’ve been working on.
Whack.
“What the fuck, Hart?” he yells, stumbling to one side.
“Dude,” I hiss. “It’s our new secret greeting. Shoulder slam, then knuckles into sparkle-fingers.”
“Hardly a secret if the greeting involves knocking someone on to the floor.”
Oh, right. He has a point.
“OK, secret greeting was the wrong description-thingy. It’s just our regular dap. Feniks? Are you listening.”
He’s walking away so I run to catch up.
“Donovan, can you remember that we are not supposed to be friends,” he hisses.
Pfft.
“I know that, but it’s called ‘acting’. We can do our thing when no one is around.”
“Which is not here, and not now,” he mumbles, walking away.
“See you tonight,” I call after him.
Tonight is our first war council.
I’m excited to see the new tunnel, and I’m dead jelly that Max got invited into Ludo’s lair. Seem like Maximus and the bull have become bros.
I know I have Wes, when he’s alive and not a zombie, and Cosmo loves me the best of everyone, but I’m a little sad I haven’t gained a new bestie out of this whole thing too.
Maybe little Dunc?
My shoulders slump. Nah, Max got him as well! They nerd out about online stuff all the time—boring.
So, that leaves me with the Professor, who is already Max’s cousin, and Willow.
Willow it is.
I bet she’ll be into our new salute. A new recruit for the new salute.
I’ll talk to her about it tonight.
After showering, I head straight to the dining hall.
Tee’s sitting with Cosmo, Jordan and Kayla, like the only M
● Save Kids.
● Eliminate black energy.
● Destroy Conclave.
Wiping her chalky hands on her cute butt, she turns to Alexis. “OK, tell us what you’ve got.”
The Prof looks at her like the proudest peacock in the coop. “Zola has memories of being kept somewhere near pink-colored water.” He turns to Lu. “And Ludo has regained some childhood memories that lead him to believe he was also kept there as a child.”
I nearly fall off my chair. Like what?
Bully!
“The only place that could be is outside of Windward Forest, in the high desert.” He draws a rough outline of Havengard, then puts an X on the middle of the thumb.
“Around here. Now Ludo also has a recollection of his transport leaving the main road and turning onto a rough track, which led into a dense forest.”
A shiver runs through my body.
“After that,” Alexis continues, “he was unloaded into a building where many children were kept. There are only two forest roads in that area.”
Great. Business time.
“So we follow the yellow brick road, bust down the doors and rescue the kids?” I ask.
“Not that simple,” Cosmo sighs. “We aren’t even allowed to leave the academy, let alone travel hours away.”
Feniks inclines his head. “Correct. But there is one caveat to the travel ban…Hearth Binding is coming up.”
Oh shit. I’d totally forgotten about that.
Probably because it was never something my parents celebrated. But for most of Havengard, it was a real good time.
“What’s Hearth Binding?” Theo asks.
“It’s a Havengard National holiday,” Alexis replies. “Celebrating the first witches learning to ‘bind’ their homes with warmth to survive the winter.”
Theo looks puzzled. “OK, so how does that help us?”
“Each of you will apply for family leave for Hearth Binding.” He looks around at us all.
“And yes, I know the majority of us have no family to speak of, but I’ll think of something.
Once the relevant passes are set up, we’ll have four days to get to the high desert, liberate the children, then get back here. ”
Willow raises a hand. “Um, I already have my family pass set up. I was going to go home and check in with Zola, but that can wait, unlike this. Hearth Binding is only eight days away.”
Max and I meet eyes. Plenty of time. Some of Max’s home-made bombs, my stealthy ninja skills, and we’ll be fine and dandy.
“If we’re successful, where will we take the kids?” Theo asks. “We have no idea how many there are or what state they are in.”
“That I don’t have an answer to. Everyone needs to start brainstorming.”
“Um, what can I do?” little old Dunc asks. “I don’t have magic or muscle, but I’m good online.”
We all pause, then Theo speaks up. “Are you able to search stuff and not be traced? What if we try to get in touch with the human resistance? They might want to help bring down the Conclave?”
“Better to find the low-spark witches who were rioting,” Cosmo says. “If you do get a lead, find out what you can, but do not give anything away about us.”
Yikes, Cos switched on his command voice.
Theo immediately stands up, goes over to Cosmo, and slaps him around the face.
Hard.
She winces and shakes out her hand. “Rescind that immediately, you dickmunch. Everyone in this room is trustworthy, don’t you dare use that bullshit on my friend.”
Seeing her so heated gives me an instant boner.
“Drakeward, you have your Conclave Cadet thing tomorrow night, yes?” Alexis asks.
“Yep,” Cos says, rubbing his cheek.
“Gimble is incredibly talented in dark arts. Work out what spells will aid us and learn them from her.”
Oh, cool. I’m glad I’m in the cadets after all.
“Is there anything else?” the professor asks.
Theo swivels around and gasps. “Oh, Gods. I’m awful.” Her face looks horrified.
She runs over to the chalkboard, grabs the white chalk and writes one word on the top of the list.
WES.