Page 56 of Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 7

The laughter and amusement faded from her eyes a bit. Something else came into them. And, for a moment, Ryder thought he saw shades of the Natasha he knew.

There is more to you than this loathsome creature you’re pretending to be.

“We’ll find out what is going on here,” Dani said with a purse of lips. “They need to be questioned as they are clearly not of the Order. Maybe they’re working for Eyros. Maybe they’re just seeking… help. And that is what the Order is for.”

“No, no, this one is mine,” Legion rumbled. “Mine. I hunted. I captured it. Mine.”

Dani let out a disgusted huff of laughter. “Really? You haven’t captured them yet. And that bear form looks big enough to take you down, Legion.”

Ryder braced himself. He could take Legion down. If he could call the animals nearby, he could do more than that. But they were on an island and all he could feel were unfamiliar signatures in the deep. Something was stirring down there. Something large and… strange.

“I will have them,” Legion said with a note of piggish defiance.

No, Legion, he heard Grayson’s voice quite clearly in his head, you won’t.

And something broke through the surface of the water. Something with massive with wings.

Watcher

What do we do, Fifi? Mirryr’s voice was Tanis’, but still it had Mirryr’s own cadence. Or Charlie’s, Eyros supposed. Charlie continued, Can you teleport us?

Wyvern–or Fiona–stared up at the black crystal that gleamed overhead. Not with that working on my powers.

She jumped up and tried to smash it with her fist. But before her knuckles had even skimmed the surface there was a zap of electricity and Fiona was sent flying across the room. Only Seeyr’s quick actions saved her from slamming into the wall.

T-thanks! Fiona looked at her gratefully.

It seems that teleporting is not the way you will escape this place, Seeyr said with a small smile.

Fiona lifted an eyebrow. Don’t you know how we do?

But Seeyr shook her head. I know vaguely how you return, but not all the details. And even then… Her eyes went unfocused. I sense there is still uncertainty.

Uncertainty?! Fiona was on alert.

What do you mean, Seeyr? Charlie asked.

In the end, whether you get back or not is not up to the two of you, she answered softly.

So Grayson and Ryder are going to save the day? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised about them getting us out of this mess! Fiona grinned.

But they said they were going to meet us at the gate to Nightvallen, Charlie pointed out. They aren’t coming back to the Spire. If they did, that would lead Legion right to us.

Fiona frowned. You’re right. And it’s not like they’re going to know we’re in trouble. Unless the alarm reached them.

The blaring noise was no longer shaking the Spire. It was strangely silent. Seeyr stepped back into her cell and reached for the door to close it.

Seeyr! Fiona grabbed the cell door and almost immediately released it as the material burned her skin. She shook her hands to stop the sting. You don’t… don’t have to close it. Yet. Just yet.

Seeyr smiled. I am afraid if I leave it open I may be inclined to try to escape.

Fiona swallowed deeply. So you aren’t completely unafraid of what’s coming?

Oh, no, dear. I’m not afraid of what’s coming. I’m afraid that I won’t be strong enough to do my part to get us there, Seeyr explained. Each of us has this role to play and it is so hard. Seeyr’s eyes seemed to focus on Eyros for a moment and he nearly withdrew, but then he stayed. But I believe in us. I believe in all of us. We will make the right decisions in the end.

Fiona and Charlie exchanged worried looks. They clearly wondered what she meant and who she was talking to. Eyros could have simply linked his and Seeyr’s minds to know her thoughts, but he did not. He just stared at her mentally and she stared back at him.

What are our right decisions now, Fifi? I could pretend to be Tanis. I can make this one look like a random Vampire. Charlie toed the empty body that had held the Kaly slice.