Page 37

Just over an hour later, Alex stoodbeside the window wall of Darrius’s office, staring out across the snow-dusted academy. When the final person arrived in a swirl of colour, she turned from the view and looked at those she’d asked the headmaster to contact using his ComGlobe, summoning them to this meeting.

Hunter, Karter, Maggie, Caspar Lennox and Fletcher, as well as Darrius, Jordan, Bear and D.C. all sat along the large conference table, looking at her with various levels of curiosity and, in some cases, resignation.

Alex didn’t make them wait.

“I need your help.”

She took a seat before saying more.

“I know you’re still in discussion with the other teachers about what to do,” she said, flattening her palms to the table, “and until you can all come to an agreement, you don’t want to act. I get that. Diplomacy is important.”

It was just, in this case, extremely frustrating.

“But I can’t just sit around and wait,” Alex continued. “A whole week has passed, and while Aven hasn’t done anything concerning in that time—”

“That we know of,” Jordan mumbled, an odd expression on his face as he looked to Hunter.

“That we know of,” she agreed. “But while he’s not yet outwardly attacking mortals, we have no idea how long this grace period will last. I won’t—Iwon’t—have more blood on my hands just because we were all too determined to sit on them than to act.”

Darrius made a helpless gesture. “You said yourself that the human leaders of Medora are waiting to learn more before taking action. What would you have us do, Alex?”

“You?” Alex shook her head. “Nothing.”

Karter grunted, “Then what’re we all here for?”

“Youcan’t do anything,” Alex said, keeping her eyes on Darrius. “You once told me that the Library’s protection wards are strongest when the headmaster is in residence. Now more than ever you can’t leave the academy. We need a secure place, especially when there are so many gifted people here Aven would want to… exploit.”

Grimaces from all around the table.

“We have no intention of allowing that to happen,” Fletcher said in a conciliatory tone. Despite the doctor’s normally comforting bedside manner, not even the confidence in his voice could ease the tension in Alex’s shoulders.

“This academy has stood for millennia without Aven breaching its wards long enough to gain a foothold here,” Maggie said—and she would know, having been around to witness those millennia. “He will not manage to do so now. Not while we’re all here to stop him.”

“Which is exactly why I need you all to stay here and keep everyone safe—including anyone who might come seeking refuge in the coming times,” Alex said, her gaze unfocused as the future vision passed across her mind. “And it’s also why I need you all to understand what I’m going to say next.”

“Well, I’m intrigued,” came Caspar Lennox’s melodic voice. “Don’t keep us waiting.”

“The other races need to be informed so that we can stand together as a united front. And while you have to stay here,”—Alex took a breath—“I don’t.”

Hunter, silent until now, was the first to understand. There was an approving light in his eyes—as opposed to the alarm dawning on the faces of the others—as he asked, “What do you need from us, Alex?”

She didn’t hesitate. “I need to know where to go. And I need to know what to expect.”

Hunter was nodding, his expression thoughtful, but he was one of the few around the table who looked pleased by her demands.

“Alex, don’t you think—”

“I’m sorry, Darrius, but I didn’t intend on this being a debate.” She halted the headmaster’s opening argument with an apologetic but firm look. “I’ll be doing this with or without your approval. It’s too important. But I respect you—all of you—and it’ll be easier and less risky if you can offer me advice on who to see—and how.”

“The Flips, the Jarnocks, the Shadow Walkers and the Dayriders,” Hunter said, leaning in and resting his arms on the table. “Along with us, they’re the leading powers amongst the mortal races, the ones you’ll want to bring into this.”

“Hunter,” Darrius admonished. “I’m not sure—”

“You’d rather she search blind and stumble upon them unprepared?” Hunter interrupted, eyebrows raised. “Because she will. Everyone here knows it.”

Alex wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not.

“But she’s just a child,” Darrius argued, causing Alex to turn narrowed eyes his way. He, of all people, knew better than to say something like that. But surprisingly, Karter spoke up before she could.