I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI | XVII | XVIII | XIX | XX | XXI | XXII

Time slowed to a near halt as I shook my head, my ears ringing from the explosion. I blinked my eyes and rolled my head side to side, taking in the others sprawled around me. My mind struggled to form a coherent thought until one name flashed over and over. 

Ethan.

I groaned as my arms braced on the cold stone below me, and I forced myself upwards. The muffled sounds of battle began to clear, and I reached the edge of where my Bond had lept moments before. Holding myself up, I searched the grounds, littered with stone and rubble from the Behemoth’s attack. My breath caught as I finally spotted him on the grass, his wings spread out and his head beginning to rise, shaking off the shockwave like the rest of us. 

“Ethan!” My voice croaked and grumbled. “Ethan!” This time, it carried, and I watched as he turned his head towards me. His eyes shining as we locked gazes. The great elegant form of my Dragon roused himself and stood, facing the oncoming armor of Shadows. The Behemoth, in all its disgusting glory, roared in victory and took a step forward. It took mere seconds for Ethan to answer and shoot towards it once more.

The others started to run towards the edge of where I stood, and I watched as the Rider’s took flight with their Dragons. That was how it should have gone. But he’d left me behind for my safety. 

I have to do something! My thought must have reached Ethan.

You will do nothing! He shot back.

Growling softly, I could feel the fire within me stirring. It wanted to fight, as well. 

Frustration built in me until I spotted a tangent of Shadows breaking off from the others. No one had noticed them, and Ethan was much too busy to see. They were heading off towards the safety room that the other students were locked in. 

“Shit.” I tore off, not hesitating one moment. They would be slaughtered if that bunch reached them. Ethan’s roar echoed through the halls as I ran; I could feel his anger and power coursing through me. He would figure out what I was doing soon enough. 

As I rounded a corner, my feet skidded to a halt, and my hands flew to my weapons. There right in front of the great hall doors, was the group of monsters. They waited, studying the door and the magic that covered it, keeping them out. 

While I knew I should trust in its strength, the image of the barrier disintegrating played on repeat in my mind. I couldn’t trust it.

Darting forward, I kept low to the ground as a light flashed off the metal of my daggers I’d drawn. Instantly the Shadows turned towards me, drool and other liquids dripping from their disgusting mouths. One of them smirked and started towards me.

I jumped into the air and spun, coming down on top of them with a crash. For a moment, I stunned myself. Where had I learned that? 

But I didn’t give it any thought as another slashed its claws at me, dark material flying off it like poison. I barely escaped as I twisted around and without me even commanding myself to do it, I flipped in the air, bouncing on the balls of my feet as I landed.

Again I was confused. How am I doing this?

They must have heard the commotion because the doors opened just a crack behind the magic barrier, and I saw Michael peek outside. 

“Ellie!” He threw open the doors, and the Shadows whirled on him.

“No, you idiot! Close the doors!” But he was already moving towards me and about to breach the barrier. Which would then cease its function and expose all those kids.

Desperately I reached out towards him, waving my hands in panic. “No! Don’t cross it!”

Too late.

He stepped over, and the barrier dissipated instantly. It was silent for a second before the Shadows let out screeches of victory and surged forward. Without wasting a moment, I ran and took a flying leap over them, slamming down in front of them with my daggers out.

“Get back inside, you moron!” I turned my attention back to the Shadows.

Ethan…if you can hear me… we’re in deep shit over here. I couldn’t tell if he’d heard as I engaged the creatures. But then a small echo sounded throughout my mind.

I’m coming…