Page 131 of Hero of Havoc

“What?”

“The Water Protector is Odesa,” he rasps, and my veins turn to ice.

“Let’s kill them,” I snap, my magic burning to the surface, but Archer plants his hand on my shoulder, calming me just enough to see through the red haze clouding my vision.

“I think the Air Protector is named Garrett, and the Land Protector is Willa.”

“What are they doing?”

“I don’t know, they’re just… kneeling there.”

“Do you think they’re waiting for Leonardo?” I press, trying to take another look.

“I don’t know, but they’re doing something.”

A beacon of light bolts into the sky, casting a glow over the forest, and my breath lurches in my chest.

“The Rejuvenating Ceremony has begun.”

“That’s what it looks like from out here?” I blurt, and Archer nods. “It’s pretty,” I whisper, watching what almost looks like glitter dust across the sky as the light stands brightly above us.

The snap of a twig in the distance yanks my attention back to the present, and I wish it hadn’t.

“Reports.”

One word, a command, and each of the kneeling students begins to speak.

I can’t hear their responses from here, and from the looks of it, neither can Archer.

“Do you think that’s good enough for me to report back to Leonardo?” the voice barks, pain detonating through my limbs as I gape.

“That’s our mole, and those are their minions,” Archer declares, confirming my suspicions, and I can see the disappointment on his face.

“What do we do?” I breathe, clutching his hand.

“We get answers,” he replies, and I nod, determination seeping through me as adrenaline takes over, and before I can process what’s happening, we’re charging through the forest, eyes set on our target.

“What about the others? We should tell them,” I whisper.

“They’re already here,” Archer confirms, swiftly pointing toward the three moving forms all closing in on whatever the hell this is.

Baron’s face is filled with rage, while Sax looks so neutral he almost appears bored, but I know he’s ready to attack at any moment, leaving Teddy to wear a devilish grin, one that no good will come from.

Certain they have them surrounded, Archer takes a step forward, and I see the moment our mole realizes they’ve got an audience greater than they assumed.

“Archer, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the Rejuvenating Ceremony?”

“I could say the same to you, Dorian.”

The slice of his name through the air makes my stomach twist, making the realization all the more real.

“I have everything under control here. Let’s not do anything hasty,” he replies, dragging a nervous hand through his hair.

“What is there to be hasty about?” Archer asks, his voice calmer than I expect, and Dorian shrugs, holding his hands out at his sides.

“We both know there’s no point in me lying.”

“What would there be to lie about?” I press, and his eyes find mine.