Alle Kapitel von Ember Academy : Kapitel 51 – Kapitel 60

"Faster." Renna's voice was low, urgent, as she led them through a narrow service passage cut into the academy's outer wall, one Sera had never even known existed. "The guards rotate posts on the hour. We have a window, and it's closing."They emerged into pale morning light beyond the academy's boundaries, the river road stretching ahead through thinning autumn trees, and Renna set a brutal pace the moment they cleared sight of the walls, Sera and Dorian struggling to match her stride."You've done this before," Dorian said, breathless, as they cut across an open field toward the treeline. "This exact route.""Once or twice." Renna didn't slow. "Years ago, before either of you were students here. It's a long story, and not one we have time for at present."They rode the final stretch on horses Renna had somehow arranged waiting at a hidden clearing, pushing hard along the river road as the morning wore on, urgency tightening in Sera's chest with every passing mile."There." Petra's v

"We can't move her, not safely, and you're telling me we have less than an hour." Renna's voice was tight with barely controlled frustration as she knelt again beside Vell's still form. "Moving her too soon could undo everything we just accomplished.""Then we don't have a choice worth debating." Cassia's voice carried unfamiliar urgency, none of her usual composed disdain. "My father's guard won't simply search politely, Instructor. If they find her here, weakened, unable to defend herself, I wouldn't wager much on what happens next.""Why are you helping us." Dorian's eyes narrowed with open suspicion, fixed on Cassia. "This isn't like you. Warning us, riding out here yourself."Cassia's jaw tightened, something complicated flickering behind her carefully composed expression. "Because I watched my father's face this morning when he realized Vell might still be alive, and it wasn't relief, Dorian. It was fear. My father doesn't fear easily. Whatever he's protecting by keeping that ch

"You're late." Instructor Halric's voice carried clipped irritation as Sera slipped into the lecture hall the following morning, exhaustion still heavy beneath her eyes despite a few hours of restless sleep. "Take whatever seat remains, quickly, we've already begun."Sera scanned the crowded hall, visiting summit students still occupying nearly half the available seats, and felt her stomach sink slightly at the only open spot remaining, directly beside Wren."Lovely." Wren's voice was pleasant, edged, as Sera settled reluctantly into the seat beside her. "Rough night? You look absolutely exhausted.""Long day," Sera said carefully, unwilling to explain further."I'm sure." Wren's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Must be difficult, being quite so important that entire noble houses interrupt their own summit business chasing rumors about you."Around them, Wren's usual cluster of friends exchanged pointed glances, and Sera felt the familiar prickle of being watched, judged, found wanting b

"Custody." Sera's voice came out sharp with alarm as she hurried alongside the guard toward the council chamber, fear tightening cold around her chest. "She's injured, barely recovering, she needs rest, not.""I only deliver messages," the guard said, apologetic but firm. "The council awaits you."She found Mira, Oren, and Dorian already gathered anxiously near the chamber's entrance, expressions tense, and Renna standing rigid nearby, fury barely restrained beneath her carefully composed posture."They found the lodge," Renna said the moment Sera arrived, voice tight. "I don't know how. I was careful, Sera, I swear I was careful.""It doesn't matter how. What matters is she's safe enough to be standing here at all." Oren's expression remained grim. "Small mercy, given everything else."The chamber doors opened, and Sera's breath caught at the sight within. Vell stood, upright but visibly weak, flanked by two of Lord Corvane's household guard, Petra hovering anxiously just behind her,

"That's not possible." Sera was on her feet before she fully registered moving, fear sharp and immediate. "She was barely strong enough to walk earlier tonight. She can't have simply disappeared.""And yet," the guard said grimly, "she has. The room was locked from the outside, precisely as ordered. No windows large enough for escape. No sign of struggle, no blood, nothing disturbed."Lord Corvane's expression had gone carefully, dangerously still. "Show me."They moved quickly through the academy's corridors, Sera falling into step alongside Lord Corvane despite his earlier dismissal, and found Dorian, Mira, and Oren already gathered anxiously outside the holding quarters, having clearly heard the news through their own channels."Gone." Mira's voice was tight with disbelief as Sera approached. "How is that even possible, Sera, she could barely stand on her own tonight.""I don't know." Sera pushed past the anxious cluster of summit guards gathered outside the small chamber, and step