Page 160

Darrius eyed her appraisingly, observing her unwavering expression. He pulled three military ITDs out of his pocket along with three Bubblers. “Take these with you. The wards are activated now,” he said.

Alex and her friends took the objects, although she knew they would have no need of them now that Aven had what he wanted.

“We’ll see you in two weeks,” she told Darrius. “But if you hear anything before then…”

“I’ll contact you immediately,” Darrius promised. “Just as I expect you to do the same.”

She nodded and asked, “Are you all coming back with us?”

“We’re waiting to speak with Prince Roka; he’ll return us to the academy afterwards,” Darrius said. “Hunter has some information about Aven’s Claimed humans and we need to work out a strategy to ensure they remain out of Meya. Aven doesn’t have access to theValispath, but he’s now able to use the Library’s doorways to bring others here. We mustn’t allow that to happen.”

“Let me know if I can do anything,” Alex offered, secretly hoping they wouldn’t.

“That’s very kind, Alex, but you’ve already done more than we have the right to ask,” Darrius said. “Go to Woodhaven, and try not to worry about the rest until you have to.”

That was easier said than done. But she would try to follow his advice.

“Wait, little human,” Zain called out as she and her friends were walking away. “I’ll activate theValispathand escort you to your destination.”

“Zain, I’m not sure that’s the best idea…” Fletcher tried to advise him, but the warrior waved away his concern.

“I’m fine,” he said dismissively. “Never better.”

His words might have been more believable if he hadn’t slurred them while tripping over his own feet.

“It’s okay, Zain,” Alex told him. “We’ll go back through the Library. You look like death warmed up, so you should probably follow Fletcher’s instructions until the Hyroa blood is out of your system.”

“I could still beat you in a fight,” Zain grumbled.

Alex cracked her first real smile since she’d arrived at the clearing. “I reckon I could take you.”

“By the sounds of your talk with Roka, we might soon have the chance to discover whether that’s true or not,” he said, an excited glint in his eyes.

Meyarin hearing really didn’t allow for any secrets, Alex realised with a pang of annoyance.

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” she said. “But I don’t want to win by default and be stuck listening to you whinge about me taking advantage of your weakened state. So pay attention to the good doctor’s orders and get better quickly, yeah?”

He mumbled something under his breath but nodded in agreement.

Alex smiled softly again as she turned to lead her friends into the middle of Raelia. A door opened almost immediately by her will, and the three of them halted in front of it.

“What’re we going to do now?” D.C. whispered, her voice wobbling with emotion.

“We’re going to continue on with our lives as much as possible,” Alex said. “That means we go to Woodhaven, and while we’re there, we’ll come up with a plan.”

“A plan?” D.C. repeated.

“A plan to get Jordan back.”

Saying his name hurt, but Alex’s resolve was strengthening by the minute. As Roka had said, she wouldn’t grieve for her friend because he wasn’t yet lost to them.

“We’re going to fight for him,” she continued. “Heneedsus to fight for him. And we’re going to find a way to bring him back to us.”

Bear’s face still reflected his sorrow, but now it showed a trace of hope as well. “Do you really think we’ll be able to?”

“I’m certain of it,” she said, her confidence leaving no room for doubt.

D.C. looked at her, tears still glittering in her eyes. “What makes you so sure?”