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Bash says something. I shake my head, trying to think of another way. Something that keeps him out of it. If he doesn’t break in, I can tell people that he and Halen were trying to stop me.

I press my palm on the door itself. It warms immediately then lights up in the shape of a trident.

Halen nudges me. “Do you see that?”

“I can feel it.”

“Take it!”

“Do you want my multitool?” Bash holds it out.

I shake my head. “I need to do this myself.”

Halen rushes for the door. “I’m going to make sure nobody’s coming.”

The door is growing warmer by the moment. I can hardly think. My hand seems to act on its own, feeling around the door until it reaches the lock. My palm rests on it, and the heat intensifies.

“Hurry!” Halen calls. “I hear someone coming!”

I turn to Bash. “If someone comes, pretend to try and stop me.”

“What? No! I’m not letting you take the fall. Not when my aunt and uncle are behind this.”

My hand glows the same color as the trident behind the door. Yellow sparks surround my skin, but they don’t hurt like I’d expect.

Click!

I stare at Bash, wide-eyed. “Did I just unlock that?”

“Open it!”

Shaking, I pull my hand away then reach for the knob. Before I touch it, the cabinet door opens. The trident is still glowing.

This is really happening.

“Take it.” Bash moves back.

I stare at it for a moment before reaching for it. In the last week, I’ve barely learned anything about handling it, yet now I’m going to face off with the people I think are holding my dad? This is the craziest thing that’s happened since I’ve come to Valora.

I shove the rest of my thoughts aside and reach for it. Its warm power runs through me stronger than usual. Not as wild as the first time, but it’s like the weapon knows this is serious.

Halen spins around. “Hide! He’s almost here!”

She and Bash bolt, ducking in the shadows of the cabinets and mats. There’s no way I can hide the bright glow of the trident. I remain in the middle of the room, holding it high.

Mr. Brant enters, and his eyes widen then narrow as soon as he sees me. “What do you think you’re doing, Marra?”

I clench the rod and move closer to him. “I’m dealing with a life-or-death situation, and you’re going to let me leave with it.”

“You know I can’t do that. Not until you graduate.”

I point it at him. “You’re going to let me.”

He moves out of my way and nods. “Bring it back when you’re done.”

“And you aren’t going to get me or my friends in any trouble, are you?”

Mr. Brant shakes his head. “Not at all.”