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I placed my palms on the massive double doors, meant for safety and protection, and gave a push. They swung open with little resistance, the mass of people congregating throughout the giant room turned to look at me. It was unnerving, having that many eyes zero in on you with mixtures of surprise, suspicion, and relief. 

I cleared my throat and shifted slightly, uncomfortable. “Is everyone alright?” My voice was louder than I thought it would be, and I inwardly cringed. One instructor walked up to me and glanced behind my form to the dust and debris outside the doors.

“What happened? We heard a commotion, and Michael went to check on it.” I stared at her and narrowed my eyes as memories of Michael’s betrayal were once more thrown to the forefront of my mind.

“Nothing to worry about, I took care of it.” My voice was steel, and she blinked at me.

“Where is he?”

I refused to look at her, “Who?”

“Michael.” Her hands fidgeted.

“He’s where he belongs.” Whispers floated towards me, and I sighed. “He’s not dead.” The instructor nodded and stepped back.

I glanced around again, “Is there someone that can put this barrier back up? I’m not sure if the battle is over yet outside.”

Another teacher waved his hand, and he pushed his way to the front. “I can! Miss…”

I realized many of these people had no idea who I was and why I was outside fighting and not inside with them. “Um…Ellie is…” I trailed off before I realized I should probably toss in my ace card. I tried again, this time a little stronger. “My name is Ellie, and I am the Bonded Rider of the Guardian Ethan Hunter.” 

Immediately gasps sounded, and more quick words were being exchanged. Things like I thought that was a rumor. Or my favorite she’s so plain, how could she be the Ethan Hunter’s Bond!

I waited a moment longer for them to calm down on their own before addressing the man before me. “So you can put the barrier back up?”

He smiled and nodded, “I sure can.”

“Come on then, I need to get back out there to help my Dragon.” I turned my back on the gossipy mess and lead the teacher towards the doors.

Waving my hand towards them, I tilted my head to look at him. “Anything I need to do?”

He shook his head and gave me a gentle push outside before closing the doors till a crack was left. “Just don’t get killed out there. Something tells me you’re going to be fun to have around this monotonous old place.”

I could feel my mouth form a small smile, and I hoped that I had him as a teacher if we all survived this. He winked at me and closed the doors, silence descending back around me. The sounds of battle muffled from outside.

Moments later, I watched as the shimmering barrier that protected those inside quickly reformed, moving from the ground up like a silken sheet to bow outward in a half-sphere. Good, they’re all safely tucked away. Now to find Ethan.

I remembered the hallway he had dragged Michael down and made a beeline for it, my feet almost flying as I raced through the stone archways. I thought about the faces in the room I was leaving behind and briefly had a twinge of worry. Some of them looked to be the kind to give me a hard time should everything return to normal after this.

I hope that announcement won’t come back to bite me in the ass.

The scream of agony emanating from what I assumed was the dungeon area tore my attention from the shallow thoughts I was having, and I skidded to a stop. 

Ethan? Silence, followed by a soft growl of anger. Ethan was that you…or Michael, I just heard?

More silence before the answer floated to me. You don’t want to know.

Yes, I do. I huffed and started forward again.

Ellie, stay put and let me do my job. I couldn’t tell from his voice, but I felt the irritation and anger float through our Bond.

When did I ever listen to you? I hit the stairs and began my descent into the darkness. Nothing came back to me from my Bond, and I smirked. Yeah, he knew me too well to argue.

Time to get some answers.

Featured image taken by Vinícius Vieira ft from Pexels