LOGINCaden's POVI sat near the middle section of the packed hall. My eyes stung as I processed my father’s words. The path to the Sentinels Accord was closed. Permanently. Just like that.Why would he do this to us?All the training. All the bruises. All the nights we pushed ourselves past the point of exhaustion. All the people who had died in the tournament. It meant nothing now.I looked around at the faces near me. Some students stared at the floor. Others clenched their fists. A few looked like they were about to cry but were too proud to let it show. Every single one of us had come here with the same dream. Now that dream was gone.My father adjusted his coat and started walking toward the exit. The Seven followed close behind him. They were the reason no student could protest anymore. We'd read so much about them. We knew what they could do. They were our role models. The hall remained silent as Father headed to the door. I watched his back as he got closer to the exit. Somethi
Lord Aldric's POVI paced my office while holding a glass of wine. Orven’s words replayed in my mind as I took every step.The Last Guardian would come to me, he had said. He said it would happen soon, that all the elements of the earth would conspire to make the person come to me.Days had turned into weeks. Nothing. No appearance at my office to announce the Last Guardian's arrival. I was waiting in vain.I rubbed my forehead with my free hand and my palm came away with sweat. After all the troubles I went through to find the first Elders, I shouldn't be suffering to find the Last Guardian. It was supposed to be easy.I clenched my jaws, fighting back the urge to smash my wine glass against the wall.Where the hell is the Last Guardian?I thought about calling Orven. Maybe he would have an explanation for why the Last Guardian hadn't showed up yet.A sharp knock sounded on the door."Come in."One of my guards stepped in and bowed low. He looked nervous. That alone told me he was ab
Mira's POV"What's wrong?" Caden asked after he finished. "You look like something is bothering."I took a deep breath. “I need to get Josh off campus.”Caden frowned. “Right now?”"Yes. Tyrell told me the treatments aren’t working. He said it’s not a medical problem. I have to take Josh to Alina. She’s the only one who might know what to do.”Caden shook his head. “No, no, that’s not a good idea. Beasts are ravaging the campus right now. Students are shifting to fight back. It’s dangerous out there.”“I know it’s dangerous. But leaving him here is worse. He’s been like this for too long. If I wait any longer, I don’t know if he’ll wake up at all.""But you can't risk your well-being for him.""I have to take the risk. He would do the same for me."Caden's face clouded a bit as I said that. He looked at Josh’s still face, then back at me. His jaw was tight."What do you want me to do now?"“Please,” I said. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing. Help me get him out."Caden was quiet f
Caden's POVI stared at the words on the screen with raised brows. Why did he want to see me?~Maybe he thinks I started the protest.~"That's Tyrell's case to answer," I muttered.I slipped my phone back in my pocket and started walking toward the admin block.The screams of humans and beasts continued to fill my ears as I headed to Lord Veron's office. The adrenaline of the fight had worn of slight and I began to feel some pains in my body. My knuckles stung where I had hit the guard. I flexed my hand and kept walking.The front steps of the administration block came into view. Two guards stood by the door, holding their batons."Go back!" They yelled."Lord Veron invited me.""You're lying!"I pulled out my phone and showed them the text.They relented and let me through. I knocked on the door.The response came right away. “Enter.”I turned the handle, stepped inside, and closed the door behind me.Lord Veron sat behind his desk. The papers in front of him were neat. His hands wer
Serena's POVI stayed hidden behind the old crates, trying not to move. My legs had gone stiff from squeezing myself for so long in the cramped space.Vessa'd told me to wait here, that Bastian was coming to see her."Be at alert," she'd told me.I was ready.The shed smelled of wet wood and rusted metal. The wind kept whipping against the door, making the whole place creak.Vessa stood just outside the door, her arms crossed above her chest. She constantly adjusted her hair as the wind kept blowing it.I was about to ask her when Bastian would show up when I heard the footsteps. It approached the shed quickly. I swallowed. It was almost time for action.“Did you talk to him?” Bastian's voice was gruff.“Yeah, and he said no.”There was a long moment of silence that felt extra uncomfortable for me in this dark, cramped shed."You didn't try to convince him, did you? I knew you weren't going to make a strong attempt to convince him.""I tried my best, but he wasn't having it. I even go
Serena's POVI stayed hidden behind the old crates, trying not to move. My legs had gone stiff from squeezing myself for so long in the cramped space.Vessa'd told me to wait here, that Bastian was coming to see her."Be at alert," she'd told me.I was ready.The shed smelled of wet wood and rusted metal. The wind kept whipping against the door, making the whole place creak.Vessa stood just outside the door, her arms crossed above her chest. She constantly adjusted her hair as the wind kept blowing it.I was about to ask her when Bastian would show up when I heard the footsteps. It approached the shed quickly. I swallowed. It was almost time for action.“Did you talk to him?” Bastian's voice was gruff.“Yeah, and he said no.”There was a long moment of silence that felt extra uncomfortable for me in this dark, cramped shed."You didn't try to convince him, did you? I knew you weren't going to make a strong attempt to convince him.""I tried my best, but he wasn't having it. I even go
Mira's POV I held the metal pole above my head in the bullet train and stared out the window. Buildings blurred past. Josh stood beside me, scrolling through his phone. His school bag dangled on his left shoulder. I wasn't really focused on the buildings. My mind was on the joint trial for The I
Mira's POVI was still enjoying my sleep when something landed on my bed. I jolted awake, heart lurching. My hand already reached for the blade I kept under my pillow. Then I saw what was on my bed. A black attire packed in a cellophane wrap.What's this?I rubbed up eyes and grabbed the package. T
Chapter SixMira's POVThe medic pressed two fingers against my ribs. I winced."Breath out," she said. "Slowly."I exhaled. Pain gripped my side like an electric shock.She nodded. "Not broken. But close."Thank Goodness.She moved to my shoulder next. She rotated it carefully and I bit my lip, tr
Mira's POV The crowd pulled back to give us space.I rolled my neck and flexed my wrists. My ankle was still throbbing from the leopard fight. My forearm had a long red scrape from where I had hit the ground. I did not look at either injury. Looking at things made them hurt more.Caden stood acros







