Page 65 of Spirit Storm

"Emphasis on when." Violet’s fear shifts into something that seems closer to pleased.

The matriarch stops a few feet away and regards all of us in turn with those enormous, fiery eyes. "She is not in control.”

I pull Violet to my side and step in front of her. “But she will be. Asher will teleport us straight to the Destiny Sphere, and Dr. Thorne and the healers will help her get the storm fully under control.”

When the matriarch doesn’t respond, Violet stiffens. “I feel better now that Poppy's here. I want to go back to the Academy so that the professors can help me, so I don't lose control again."

The matriarch looks at her for a long time.

Asher steps in behind me, lacing his fingers with mine. To the guardians, it might look like a show of support, but I know better. He’s ready to portal us out of here no matter what the matriarch decides.

But then her head dips, and her beautiful, feathered crown flutters in the breeze. “You may go. But make no mistake, if you lose control again, we will not be so understanding.”

Understanding? Everything in me wants to point out that they kidnapped her and exacerbated this entire situation, but I decide to quit while we seem to be ahead.

Violet exhales. "Thank you.”

With that, and before anyone can change their mind, I squeeze Asher’s hand and give him the nod. “Go.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

We materialize in the courtyard of the academy, and I take my first proper breath in what feels like hours.

The storm is all but gone.

The sky above the Arcana has smoothed out into deep violet dusk, and the grounds smell like wet grass and petrichor.

The first thing I do is check that Violet is still good. She is. Then I turn to Asher. “Can you get Lily from her room? She’s likely in full meltdown.”

“Yep. Back in a sec.”

When he disappears, I hug Violet once more, just because I can. “Thank you for not detonating. I wouldn’t have survived losing you too.”

“I’m pretty pleased about that myself. And no offense, but I’d really like to get to Dr. Thorne.”

“Yep. That’s the priority.”

I step back and scan the courtyard. The crowd of students from earlier is gone, but three Arcana officials are rushing out the doors with Headmistress Briar following only a few steps behind.

Asher reappears with Lily, and our youngest sister launches herself, arms out. “Violet!”

Violet catches her and stumbles back behind the impact.

"I thought you were dead," Lily says into Violet's shoulder, her words half muffled and full accusation. "I thought you were literally dead."

"I’m not dead." Violet wraps both arms tightly around her. "I’m fine."

"You are not fine, you were kidnapped by a freakishly giant bird."

"And taken to the freakish giant bird village. Yeah, I know. I was there."

"Violet, I'm serious —"

Violet presses her cheek against Lily's hair, squeezing. "I know you are, squirt. I’m okay. I promise."

I step in, wrapping my arms around both of them. Lily makes a small sound and turns to include me, and Violet laughs a little as the three of us stand there in a pile on the front steps of Arcana Academy.

When everything settles, I’ll think about how close I came to losing her, but not now.