Page 153 of The Lost Ones

The guys all turn back the way we came and start to make their way towards the stables to get Rupert. I just hope he’s there. He’s more likely to believe that we had nothing to do with this and our explanation as to why we were out here in the first place. Especially since the Director was successful in painting us in a bad light thanks to her whole scene in the dining hall earlier. Everyone already suspects that we’ve had something to do with Rebecca and her teams disappearance.

“Guys!” Nate suddenly calls out to them, just before they disappear from view, “Kai your glamour!”

“Fuck, I hadn’t even realised!” Kai chuckles, pulling on his glamour again.

Once they’ve disappeared rushing to get Rupert I turn to the others.

“I feel like I’m not acting as I should be.” I frown, “I’m not particularly upset. It’s horrifying don’t get me wrong but I’m more worried about who the fucker was and if he’s got more instructors or even students working for him. Also, what the hell are the protections around the school doing if the Order is so easily being allowed in?”

“Erin might be able to test the shields since that’s one of her gifts.” Cole suggests, “We’ve got an extensive library back home and I know there’s a couple of books there that could help you work it out. They aren’t going to teach you how to use it in the first year here.” Cole says, “I’ll get one of my brothers to send them.”

“Thank you,” Erin says gratefully.

“You’re welcome and as for the other thing Sage, it’s either a sign of shock or more likely it’s your supernatural nature. Our world is brutal and although you weren’t raised in it you still have the same instincts as the rest of us. I’d even be willing to say more so because your glamour is your human façade and not your supernatural façade like the majority of supernaturals.” Cole adds.

“It’s the same for you as well isn’t it?” Jax asks.

“Yes, I am much more comfortable with my human glamour dropped but even within my own family I am the only one to feel this way.”

“It’s not like that in the other realms though is it?” I ask, thinking of my vision of him and his Bonded and earning a sharp look from Erin who’s already guessed where I’m going with it.

“No,” He says looking slightly perplexed at the question since we haven’t covered it in our realms lesson yet. “In the other realms and even in the academies it’s more odd to see someone with their glamour.”

I’m about to say something else about how he’d feel about attending one of those academies considering that in the vision he was very definitely wearing the school uniform of one of them. I’m interrupted though by a question from Maverick.

“Do you think we should go over there?” He asks, “There might be something we’ve missed or even something that would let on to his knowledge of you or his supernatural status.”

“Ok fair point. Let’s get it done quickly before Rupert gets here and we create more questions.” I say, taking a step into the clearing.

Ghost and Knot caw once each and take off into the sky, circling above us, which I’m taking to mean that they are keeping an eye on everything for us. The air inside the clearing is heavy and oppressive, somehow a few degrees cooler than in the woods. There’s a dark feeling in here. We quickly start scouring the area looking for anything that could contradictthe story that we’ve told Rupert.

“Make sure you don’t touch or move any of the ritual things that she left behind or the body.” Levi orders.

We nod, and I wonder over closer to the gold bowl filled with now congealing blood and the head of the Director. I try not to look in the direction of it though. That scene will play on repeat in my mind for a while and although I’m not a blubbering mess or overwhelmed by the events I am not heartless or completely unaffected.

“The tide is turning little Queen,” the figure from the ritual’s voice growls out making me jump.

Everyone freezes, their eyes rapidly scanning the area to try to find where its coming from and how it’s come back without actually summoning it this time.

My eyes land on the Directors head and I let out a yelp as her eyes blink in my direction, her pale mouth drained of all colour thanks to blood loss kicks up at the side in a macabre smirk, as I stumble back a step.

“Tik Tok Little Queen. The end is coming. The supernaturals days of freedom are numbered and they need to be ruled as one once again.” The voice says ominously. “Tik Tok.” It repeats.

I back up further all of us moving out of the circle whilst never taking our eyes off of the Directors head. I barely hold back my urge to kick it far, far away. logically I know that would cause more harm than good in the long run. I’m not sure how we could explain that one.

The head starts to roll towards me.

“How the fuck is he making it move!” I exclaim watching it in horror.

“He’s possessed it!” Maverick shouts.

“We read about it when we did the research but didn’t think it was relevant at the time or worth mentioning!” Dash adds.

“Well what do we do?” I say as it starts laugh manically still rolling towards me, “I’m less than a second from fucking booting it!” I warn them.

Which earns me a startled laugh.

“I think there’s a chant. You’ve got to put your magic behind the words and it’s best of we all do it together.” Maverick says.