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Maybe one of my worries was that one or more of the Bishops would intercept what I needed to do, and hearing them confirm the opposite allows my magic to settle. Not much, but enough to think a little clearer.

“Where?” Zane asks, straightening his shoulders as his brows crinkle.

“Are you okay? If you need to drop your magic, you?—”

“I’m good. For now. Once we’re outside, the fresh air might help me too,” he explains with a tight smile, and I know he’s pushing himself. For me. Again.

Maybe if I could use my mirror magic to conceal myself, that may help. Although, taking directly from him will only drain him the same.

My lips twist, indecision rippling through me, but the pointed stare he gives me confirms there’s no room for me to argue. I reach for the pendant around my neck, holding it tight and focusing on his magic concealed in there before releasing our connection. Taking a deep breath, I let my concern simmer down as I feel the magic drift over me. I don’t move away from the group, eager to stay close in case something goes wrong, and when it doesn’t immediately go to shit, I turn my attention back to the dead body that requires my assistance.

“You’re a goddamn menace, Dove,” he rasps, and I bite back the pleased smile on my face.

“Let’s head to the Gauntlet.” The second I say it, I’m certain it’s the right place to go.

The Bishops must agree with me because no one argues as we move as one toward Sebastian.

Coming to a stop before him, my knees buckle, the need to fall at his side and get to work overwhelming, but my men manage to keep me up without a word needed between us.

“I think I can use my telekinesis to hold him off the ground while projecting my invisibility through the connection,” Zane starts, and Brax grunts, cutting him off.

“Or I can just carry the fucker.”

My eyebrows rise at his offer, but before I can say a word, he swoops Sebastian over his shoulder with one hand while the other holds onto Zane to allow him to remain invisible.

“Can we trust you with him?” Eldon asks, quirking a brow at his friend. Under any other circumstance, I may have chuckled at the question and the entire scenario, but right now, the clock is ticking and we need to move as fast as possible.

“He’s almost irrelevant when he’s dead. It’s a shame Raven’s going to bring him back and piss me the fuck off, but I pledged an oath. Here’s me following through on that.”

I gulp, his words growing softer and more weighted as he speaks.

Nodding, I can’t find the words to show my appreciation, but Brax turns away anyway, not needing the recognition. He starts to move, each one of us remaining connected as we shuffle as quickly as we can toward the exit. The stairs take longer than usual with our measured steps, but we have to remain pressed against the wall and out of the way in case someone appears.

I don’t know whether we’re lucky or destined to make it out of here unscathed, but as we step out into the night air, we manage to miss any obstacles. Once we’re through the treeline, with a clear view of the Gauntlet, Brax releases his hold on the group, letting Zane’s magic wash off him as he marches toward the looming building ahead.

Glancing at Zane, I see the relief in his eyes, although the flash of worry at us being exposed is still prominent. It’s worth the risk, though. He needs to rest, and since we can’t head back to the house to recharge, this will have to suffice.

The rest of us follow suit, releasing Zane from the need to shield us all with his ability, and his footsteps instantly quicken as he directs his energy elsewhere.

As we reach the top of the Gauntlet, the cool air and stone steps come into view and I exhale slowly, eager to get to the center of the arena at the bottom so I can finally get to work.

“In here or through the gateway?” Brax asks, marching down the steps two at a time, and I race to be at his side.

“Through the gateway.”

The farther away from the academy we can get, the better. The compound isn’t nearly as far enough away as I would like, but for now, it will have to suffice.

Brax moves through the gateway without a backward glance, and if he hadn’t just reminded me of his pledged oath and promise to help me, I would be worried he was up to no good, but the moment I follow him, I find my gargoyle laying my brother down on the grass.

Gently? No.

Carefully? Definitely not.

Disregarding? Absolutely.

I don’t argue or complain as I finally get the relief of dropping to my knees beside Sebastian’s graying body. I sense Creed, Zane, and Eldon around me, making me feel whole, but I don’t turn to look at them as my magic takes over.

A chill runs down my spine, stiffening my bones as my hand presses against his chest. The need to touch someone while healing them has never crossed my mind before, but for some reason, with Sebastian, I can’t help it.