Page 120 of The Scars Within
Magically placed there by the Grim.
I’ve spent the day attending classes, catching up on missed lessons from yesterday, and squeezing in some self-defense practice on the rooftop. I love the thrill of bettering myself physically. Although, it’s much harder to practice these moves solo. But, I haven’t seen Rhodes all day to ask for a partner. Is he avoiding me?
It’s been an eventful dayfor sure. After crawling into my bed, an uneasy feeling settled in my gut. Something was off, and my instincts could feel it. Bringing my book with me, I made my way toward Dragon Valley, the evening air cool against my skin.
After scanning the area to ensure I was alone, I conjured a fire orb—just as Rhodes had shown me on our way back from the tavern. Its soft glow illuminated the path ahead, casting flickering shadows. A sense of relief washed over me—it felt good to be connected to my element again.
Wading through the tall grass, I silently prayed to the elements that no snakes were lurking nearby. The moonlight caught the angle just right, revealing the familiar silhouette of Lakota’s back.
But he…
My pace quickened, and my feet nearly bounced through the grass. As I got closer, I turned my head, trying to fully comprehend what I was seeing. Lakota laid sprawled on the ground, his wings stretched out and draped over his body like a shield.
“What are you doing?” I asked, tilting my head.
“Sleeping,” he grunted without lifting his head.
“No, with your wings. What’s that about?”
“I like to be covered when I sleep.”
“So... you’re using your wings as a blankie?” I snorted, trying to suppress a laugh.
Lakota opened his eyes and growled.
“I think it’s cute,” I teased.
He raised his head, glaring at me. “Nothing about me is cute.”
Shaking my head slowly in disagreement, I grinned. But before I could respond, his eyes widened, and his entire body tensed.
“You need to hurry back to the castle. Now.”
I frowned, confusion swirling. “Why? What’s going on?”
“Something’s happened. Mountup. We need to fly.”
I didn’t waste time asking Lakota any questions. With the night shrouded in shadows, I could barely see ahead, but Lakota zoomed in the air back to Mageia. On our flight to the castle, Lakota didn’t have any more information on what was going on. He slowed his speed as we approached, dropping me off at the front entrance.
I raced up the stairs and burst through the castle doors. The Great Hall was flooded with cadets and faculty, and I found myself swept into the crowd. Standing on my tiptoes, I scrutinized the people around me, searching for my friends.
Everyone’s chatter filled the air, loud enough that I couldn’t hear myself calling out for Cleo, Laney, and Tatum. Military personnel worked to guide us all into the auditorium.
As the crowd thinned for just a moment, I spotted something unsettling. I slipped through my peers, moving against the flow, until I reached the far wall—the one facing the stairs we had climbed on initiation day.
Blackened words were scrawled across the brick, dripping ominously down the wall.
The forgotten realm is due. The Crimson Wraith is here –The Grim
Seeing a phrase from the prophecy scrawled for everyone to see sent a chill through me. My hand instinctively reached out to touch the black substance, but I quickly pulled it back. Whoever this ‘Grim’ is, there’s no telling what kind of magic they used to leave this message. Was the prophecy left by the Grim? Is the Grim responsible for the evil running through these halls?
I started to follow the crowd. But without warning, a firm grip seized my arm, yanking me backward.
“There you are,” Captain Thorne shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. He drew me close, our faces inches apart. “Got you.”
Thorne shoved me through the crowd, not giving me a chance to ask a single question. I stumbled over my own feet, and at some point, he resorted to dragging me. My anger boiled, and I wanted to release myself from his hold in the ways that Rhodes taught me, but I didn’t want him to have an actual reason to prosecute me. Several military officers trailed behind us as he led me to Chief Kalluri’s office.
“Get off me!” I yelled.
