Chapter 23 Fractures and Foes
FRACTURES AND FOES
Idrop to the floor seconds before my desk splinters in half, a shard catching my palm.
Nick remains seated, a wall of water in front of him.
“This isn’t an Elemental class,” Holden scolds. “And that sorry excuse of a barrier wouldn’t hold out rain.”
Adrenaline has my hands trembling as I stare at the fragments of my desk while Nick stutters out a response.
“Again,” Holden demands, turning on his heel and stalking to the front of the room.
Kai is on his feet, his expression unreadable before he grabs his crystal link and leaves.
The trickle of blood seeping from my palm has me questioning if another one of my supposed Mates just tried to kill me.
Three more times, Nick creates a barrier that Holden breaks.
By the end of the period, only one other pair of students remains, too terrified to have Holden test their rune. I don’t blame them. Two other students’ desks and Nick’s crystal link have been destroyed.
“Brielle,” Holden calls as I follow the other students out the door, but I don’t stop or even look back, my anger an active volcano that I don’t—can’t—trust.
Arcane Studies is blessedly boring. It serves as a self-paced history class. Once again, Kai is in my class.
Once again, we don’t speak.
“Tell me the rumor isn’t true and Holden fucking Whitlock didn’t try to impale you with Dragon’s Tail,” Scarlet demands, cutting me off on my way to Defensive Magic.
“Is that the name of the giant plant?”
“Stars!” She throws her head back, tugging me into an empty alcove. “What is wrong with him?”
“I thought he was jealous for a moment,” I admit in a whisper, “but things went downhill from there. Fast.”
Her expression shifts like a tide. “After all the rules they gave you, I can’t believe he did that. He’s going to draw attention by acting like a lunatic.”
A giggle has us turning as three women pass, including the strawberry-blonde who greeted Holden. Her smile brightens as her gaze drifts across us.
“Who is she?” I ask once they’ve passed.
Scarlet shakes her head. “I think she works in the arcane division, but I’m not positive.
She might be with the alchemy unit.” She sighs.
“We should get going. Professor McGuiness is four hundred years old and has no patience for tardiness, but we’ll sit in the back.
I learned a little about the attack this morning. ”
“Was someone hurt?” I ask.
She nods somberly.
I ensure I’m shielding as we step into Defensive Magic.
Kai sits near the front of the room with Veronica and Cassandra, talking with half a dozen students. Scarlet and I find a pair of empty seats near the back just as Professor McGuiness, a man with black hair and amber eyes, raises his hand for silence.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard the news. A female Keystone was taken by Veilbreakers this morning on her way to work.
” He takes a moment to look over the class.
“Let this serve as a reminder why you must treat this class—and every defensive class—as if your survival depends on it. Because it very well may.”
The room stills, then ignites—uneasy murmurs sparking like kindling.
“I heard they got a member of her bond, too,” Scarlet whispers.
Fear coils through me, sharp and cold. My gaze flicks to the three dark marks on the professor’s right ring finger that continues over the back of his hand and forearm. The markings remind me of Daire’s and Griffin’s, only reversed.
“What are the markings on the professor’s hand?” I whisper.
“That’s a Cosmic Bond ring. It means he’s mated and in a completed Vestra.” Her voice lowers. “He’s a Keystone.”
The whispers ripple louder, heavier. And for the first time, the truth lodges inside me: this threat is not a distant danger. It’s here. It’s real.
For the next hour, Professor McGuiness quizzes the class on methods of defense by element.
“I’m starving,” Scarlet says, as we’re excused. “Come on. We’ll get lunch and I’ll make routes for your afternoon classes.”
“Actually, I think I’m going to find a library and start making a dent in one of the four subjects I’m behind in.”
“You’re going to need all the energy for D&C. Come on.”
It’s impossible to refuse her.
The cafeteria is busy, filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, soups, and something savory that makes my stomach growl.
“I’ll save us a seat,” I offer.
“What? No. Getting you food falls under bond duties, not friend duties.”
I swallow the remnants of my pride and admit, “I don’t have any money.”
Her demeanor shifts instantly, sarcasm replaced with sympathy. “Shit, Bri.” Guilt floods her features. “Food is free for all students and staff. You just grab what you want. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
I hate that my eyes burn with the threat of tears, but the reaction is instantaneous.
Scarlet links her arm with mine. “Come on. I’ll show you how it works.”
The line moves quickly. Screens display pictures and descriptions of everything offered, so by the time we reach the front, I’m ready to order the stew that comes with two large pieces of crusty bread and a plate filled with colorful fruit.
To my relief, Scarlet directs us to a table on the outskirts, avoiding the crowded center.
My stomach growls again, and for a second, the world feels easier.
A tray drops across from me.
Kai.
My heart betrays me, beating too fast with relief and something dangerously close to joy.
“We’re not sure that seat is open,” Scarlet tells him.
He places a drink filled with rainbow bubbles in front of me. “Drink this.”
I don’t touch it. “Are you in all my classes?”
“You let Holden attack her with Dragon’s Tail?” Scarlet hisses. “Do you realize how badly that would have burned her?”
Kai’s eyes darken, and the fork in his hand bends a few degrees. “The drink will help.”
“Help what?” I ask suspiciously.
“You heal.” His eyes drop to my palm.
“Stars,” Scarlet mutters. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She reaches for my hand.
Once again, my instinct to pull away is faster.
“Sorry,” I murmur, trying to relax my muscles as I slowly uncurl my hand and extend it toward her.
Scarlet meets my eyes, moving slowly to take my hand in both of hers. She quietly recites something before pressing her finger beside the cut. Like when Griffin healed me, my skin feels both hot and cold and a bit tingly. Within seconds, only a faint pink line remains.
“Did you use a charm to do that?” I ask, running my fingers over the healed divot.
“A charm and my element.”
“If my Soul Element doesn’t work, will I be able to use charms to heal?”
“You’ll be able to access it. You just need to acclimate. I’ve felt your power,” Scarlet reminds me.
“Could we be wrong, though?”
Scarlet lifts her brow. “Wrong about what?”
I glance at Kai, uncertain I want to have this conversation with him listening—then decide maybe it will help. “Me being from here. What if I’m from another dimension? Or what if I’m actually human and just short-circuited or something?”
Scarlet shakes her head. “The Wardens wouldn’t have recovered you if you weren’t an Elemental.”
“The Wardens?”
“Karraelas, Daire, and their unit,” Scarlet says. “They monitor the dimensional thresholds for Veilbreaker movements, unauthorized crossings, and other threats. They also recover lost Elementals and bring them to the healing center.”
I try to file my doubt away where I keep all my unanswered questions, then turn to Kai. “Are you on babysitting duty indefinitely or just today?”
“You need to eat more,” he says, ignoring me and pushing my tray closer. “You’ll need energy for your last two classes.”
I was going to eat the fruit—so much sweeter and flavorful than anything from Earth—but his insistence has me abandoning it.
“I hate to say he’s right, but he’s right.” Scarlet glances at her crystal link. “I have to go to the healing center after lunch. I’ll be there until four, and then I have tidescast practice until six. We can meet here at six-thirty for dinner, and then I’ll help you study.”
“Dinner’s at seven,” Kai says.
Scarlet and I exchange a look.
“I’m going to stay at Scarlet’s tonight. I’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
“Your bags are already back at Mysthaven,” he says, clearing his plate.
“You broke into my apartment?” Scarlet accuses.
Indignance has me sitting up straighter. “You can’t decide that.”
Kai shrugs as he stands. “What did you two think was going to happen?”
He leaves us speechless and fuming.
I try my damndest not to watch him, but fate delivers another blow when I glance up in time to see him meet Veronica at the door.
“For the record, I’m not sticking up for him,” Scarlet says, “but I’m glad they want you at Mysthaven. I was getting a little worried.”
“They don’t want me there. This is a control thing.”
She waves a hand, erecting a thin blue sheen around us—a silencing charm.
“Your emotions are going to be all over the place because the bond is incomplete.” She winces.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve read it’s even worse for the males.
Supposedly, it’s like a raging case of blue balls that doesn’t end until the bond is complete.
” She straightens, eyes growing wide. “That’s probably why Lochlan always looks like he’s a second away from murdering someone. ”
I scoff. “You mean like when he offered Kandi a tart this morning?”
Scarlet pulls her head back and raises her brow. “Is that jealousy I detect?”
I pale. “No. Definitely not. I’m not convinced I have a Mate.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “Much less five.”
She rolls her eyes. “Denial is contagious, I see. The good news is, if you decide to run another test and see if your bond with Daire and Griffin is authentic, it will offer you massive relief, whereas anyone abstaining will not.” She shakes her head as she reaches for my plate of fruit.
“Also, quick heads-up: you have to change for your last two classes. Everyone’s required to wear a nullite suit in case someone’s element goes haywire.
You can borrow mine. It might be a little short, but it should work until we pick one up for you.
I sent you my locker passcode.” She swipes my crystal link off the table and keys in a few buttons before turning it to face me so I can see the map for my final three classes.
“Why does skipping class sound so appealing?”
She forces a smile. “You’ve got this.” The silencing charm disappears as she stands. “Since we can’t stay here, we’ll bribe Gwen and eat in your room while we study.”
I smirk. “Deal.”
“See you around seven.”
I watch her go before glancing at the map she created for me, but the lines blur.
My gaze drops to the faint pink mark across my palm as Professor McGuiness’s warning echoes in my head.
I’m cosmically connected to five men who don’t trust me, trapped in a school where nothing makes sense, and there’s a faction hunting individuals like me.
The question I’ve been avoiding surfaces again: is Bryxton any safer than the prison I left behind.