Page 68 of Dark Embers

Looking at myself in the reflection of the screen, I realized just how oldIlooked. I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge Celeste back in front of Maya’s office.

“Are you ready?” Kai asked, his smile fizzling out like a phoenix diving into water.

Nodding, I cleared my throat.

Kai’s steady thumb tapped the command, overwriting every screen’s status in the Dome. Announcements like these used to make me uncomfortable. It wasn’t that way anymore. And any self-consciousness that might have lingered now was buried under mountains of trepidation and retribution.

“Good morning, students and teachers,” I said, staring into the little camera attached to my tablet. “Pardon this short interruption. Last night, one of our—”

“Whoops!” Kai said, fiddling with his phone. “Sorry, I forgot to connect to the transmission signal. But you sounded really good. Nice warm-up.”

I let out a cluck of irritation.

“I thought you were going to say that youaccidentallyturned on the rap setting,” Celeste said with a giggle.

Winking at Celeste, he proudly said, “I’m saving that one for later.”

“Are we going to do the announcementtoday, Kai?” I snapped.

“The transmission signal connection has been established,” Kai said, unable to banish the smirk from his face despite the evil glare I shot his way. “Just say the magic word, and I’ll give you hundreds of faces. Well, hundreds…of the same face.”

I rolled my eyes and took in a long-suffering breath, then held the tablet up, resting my elbows on the desk. “Do it.”

Kai tapped his phone and nodded at me.

“Good morning, students and teachers. Pardon this short interruption, but as many of you have likely heard, last night one of our students became the victim of a vampire attack. The student was not within the protective walls of the Dome when the attack occurred. We are saddened by the event but are glad that the student survived and is recovering. Due to this event, the school administration feels that it would be best to cancel classes today. I urge you all to do your best to focus on your studies, either on your own or within groups.

“I cannot begin to emphasize how important it is for everyone who makes the conscious choice to step outside of the school to take proper precautions to stay safe. Don’t go out alone. Watch your shadows. Try to put yourself in public places where a lot of other people are around.

“I will also take this time to remind you all that the Dome is a refuge from the storms outside. The vampires can’t hurt you here, and they never will. The safest place for you is here, in the school.

“If any of you feel the need to discuss the safety and protection of our school, please speak with the heads of your wings. Thank you for your time.”

Kai waited a few more seconds to make sure I was finished, then cut the transmission connection.

“You know,” Kai said, “I prefer your scripted announcements much more. You’re far less emotional when you read the words on your screen.”

“I’m sorry for your discomfort, Kai,” I said without an ounce of apology as I set my tablet on the desk in front of me.

“You do get a kind ofmy-eyes-are-piercing-yoursvibe when you improvise,” Celeste interjected.

“Good,” I replied. “I hope that means everyone understands the seriousness of what I said.”

“You got the point across extremely well,” Kai said.

Celeste nodded in agreement. “I’ve also been thinking that perhaps we should modify our curfew rules.”

“That would be very appropriate,” I said with a sigh. “And I believe most of the students will be eager to follow it after what happened to Letti. How early do you think we should have the students back here at the Dome?”

Kai shrugged. “We probably don’t need to set a time. I’d just say before sunset. We could even feature a tagline:Vampires are up when the sun goes down.” The kitsune held his hands together, then spread them out as he said it.

I frowned but tilted my head in consideration. Cheesy, but it got the message across well enough.

“Why don’t you take care of that, Kai? Distribute it on my channel, and send it to the devices of all students and teachers.” I tapped my tablet, and the classroom door opened. “And you’d better get back to your appropriate wings, both of you. You’ll be needed to help keep order around the Dome.”

“I will do that and also keep tabs on Letti,” Celeste said. “As soon as she is speaking again, I will notify you.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Hopefully, it won’t take too long. And one other thing, Celeste. Could you have Arya come and see me right away? I should address the situation with her personally.”

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