Chapter Fifteen

"What do you guys think of the new rule they brought in at the assembly?" Dean asks.

The room falls silent as we all share a confused look.

"What assembly?" I ask him.

"The one that was called at the start of the last lesson," he replies, now looking as confused as we do.

"We didn't hear the alert to go to the main hall or any alert. Was it announced like normal?" Levi asks.

Yates nods, "Yeah, through magic in all of the classrooms and in the hallways."

"Which means that they went to considerable effort to ensure that we didn't hear the announcement and didn't attend the assembly, and since none of us got attacked, we can assume that it was because they didn't want us to know anything about what happened in the assembly," Asher summarises well.

"Good point," Levi replies and then turns to look at the only three who were actually in the assembly, "what is the new rule?"

"We're now only allowed to practice our various magics in lessons and under supervision during school hours; anyone caught doing it outside of those parameters will have their magic stripped," Maria explains, disgust and anger clear on her face.

"What!" Cole exclaims, "Stripping a supes magic more often than not ends in their death. Their bodies can't cope with something that's such a fundamental part of them being taken away; if they don't die, they slowly go insane."

"That's really extreme for just practicing magic," I point out the obvious, just in case I'm missing something.

"Yeah, it is," Dean agrees, as he looks over at us all and then asks, "are you guys practicing magic after hours? I mean, that's the only reason why I can assume that they've brought this rule in, and even if someone else did get caught practicing magic outside of classes, I doubt that they would get in trouble. I have no doubt though, that you would, and they'd use it as an excuse to render you all virtually useless because that's what they need in order to succeed in taking over."

"Shit," Levi curses, his horns sparking.

"You're right. We thought there was probably a reason why they didn't want us in the assembly, and it"s purely so that we wouldn't know about the real reason, and then they can catch us out," Maverick adds.

"You're missing one massive thing," Erin says, and when we all look at her curiously, she adds, "In order to plan that, it means that they know what we've been doing."

I frown, "I actually don't see how they could know. I mean, we've been really careful, and Erin has been shielding us. Is it possible that they're just assuming that because they aren't training us, we would be training ourselves?"

The room stays silent as everyone considers my suggestion. It would be far more preferable if they were only guessing and didn't know anything, but I don't know if we will be that lucky.

"I suppose it may be possible," Hunter agrees but then adds, "but they do have a God on their side, one that was able to weaken Nyx, so I think there is an even higher possibility that they do know and this is the way that they're dealing with it."

"A very good point," Jett agrees.

"But that also brings up the question of why they're attacking us in a roundabout way instead of just coming at us?" Kai questions making a very good point and one that I have thought about before.

It would make sense for them to attack us now. I mean, in theory, the Order has control of the school, and they could relatively easily make a move against us.

"I know the answer to that," Maria says when no one else offers any explanation.

"Oh?" Erin questions.

"Well, yeah. At least I think I do, we learn about it in village school, which are the schools that we attend before we go to one of the academies." She starts to explain, and I see the realization dawn on Yates and Dean.

"Oh shit, you know, I think you're probably right." Dean agrees while Yates nods along.

"Exactly. So, Centres are almost, I guess, sacred is the right word. The Fae Realm takes personal offense if one is killed, and it can throw off the balance of not only this world but all of them if a Centre is killed when it's not their time. Because of that, very few people are willing to take the risk of ending a Centres life." She explains.

"Which is why all of those captured Centres were alive, or at least the majority of them were still alive," I say, as I make the realisation.

"That and I imagine that they wanted to use their magic. So long as they don't drain it enough to kill them, then using them like a magical battery is possible, and I imagine that the Order got a lot of power that way. Since all of the rescued Centres left the academy so quickly, I"m assuming that no one had the chance to talk to them and find out exactly what happened." Yates points out.

"Well, they spoke to the Realm's Warriors, but there's no way that we can access any of that information. None of them would really talk to us about what happened there, and they were all so traumatized by their experience that none of us wanted to push it," I explain.

"That's understandable," Maria replies, with a heavy frown and sadness in her green eyes, "I don't imagine that they'll be able to talk about it for a long time."

"So, that's why they aren't coming at us head-on and are essentially trying to get someone else to kill us off," Damon says, trying to get us back on track. "I think we should go and find Cain before we head to the library."

"Yeah, we need to know what he thinks about it," Levi agrees. He looks at Maria, Dean, and Yates, "Would it be okay with you guys if we meet you at the library in, say, twenty minutes?"

They all nod with a smile, not at all bothered that they aren't coming with us. Which I'm grateful for because I really like them. Although we have been relatively free with the way that we speak around them, I agree with Levi that the discussion we need to have with Cain needs to remain private. He knows things about the Goddess and about the Order that he may not be able to share in front of Dean, Maria, and Yates.

"Yeah, that's absolutely fine with me. I actually need to grab the papers that I was working through for the artifacts anyway," Yates says.

"Oh yeah, I forgot that I'd need that," Maria adds.

Everyone gets up and heads to the door. As I open it though, I look back over my shoulder and ask, "Erm, how are we going to find Cain? I have no idea where he normally hangs out."

"I don't think you need to worry about that," Cole smirks as he nods toward the door, and I turn around to see Cain standing there, smiling but his eyes holding worry.

"And that's our cue to leave. We'll see you in twenty by the library," Maria says, and then adds with a fond smile at Dean, "We may be slightly late because I'd be willing to bet that Dean has forgotten where he put his artifact sheet."

"I did not," Dean replies, although none of us are convinced.

Asher claps him on the shoulder, "Don't worry dude, I can just print you off some more."

"Thank fuck," Dean mutters, making us all laugh as they wave goodbye.

Cain walks into the room, closing the door behind himself, "Did you hear? I had no idea that there was an assembley and actually, the only way I found out was listening to some students."

"Yeah, Maria and the guys just told us," Jax replies.

He smiles, "They're good kids. You can trust them."

The way he says it is like he knows something that we don't, but then he does that so often that I'm not even going to bother trying to ask him what he means or if he can elaborate.

"So, what do we do?" Levi asks, his giant arms crossed over his chest.

Cain sighs, "I think for now that it would be best if we put our training on hold, I don't want to risk any of us getting caught or having to fight our way out and then becoming wanted. That would make the future more complicated than it already is."

That one I decide I can't let go, "You said that almost as if you know what our future holds."

I don't pose it as a question, and Cain, in typical Cain fashion, just smiles at me and doesn't confirm or deny anything, which is the reason why I don't bother asking him when he comes out with shit like that.

"Okay, I think we're all comfortable with that," Levi agrees as he looks around at us all to make sure that we're in agreement.

"Hopefully, when we don't carry on practicing, and they can't catch us as easily as they hoped, they'll move onto something else to try and get us, and we'll be able to go back to practicing," Damon suggests.

"Although, we probably should practice somewhere different when the time comes," Kyle points out, his eyebrow raised.

"Good idea," Cain agrees, "I can start searching for a place that would work while we're waiting for the interest to die down."

"Sounds good." Erin agrees.

"Where were you all headed before I interrupted?" Cain asks with a smile.

"Actually to come and see you," I smirk, but add, "we're now heading down to the library to see if it will let us in after hours and if we can find the object that's controlling all of the teachers."

"Do you need an extra set of hands?" he asks.

I nod, "Absolutely, there's so much in there and it's going to take us forever to get through it all and all of us are looking."

"Lead the way," he smiles, as he opens the door that he's still standing in front of, "at least if I'm with you any other teachers should leave you alone and just assume that I'm escorting you somewhere."

"That's true," Jax replies, "I was just kind of hoping that they'd ignore me or something."

Jax

Isnag Sage's hand as we walk through the vast hallways of this academy. If I'm honest, it never felt right being here. They promised that I'd have access to a pool, and when that never happened, I had to explore the grounds to see if I could find a natural water source myself. Fortunately, I did, and Hunter adjusted his run so that he could come with me.

I know for a fact that I'm not the only Siren here, and I have never seen anyone else at the pool, so it does make me wonder how they are coping and if maybe they just decided not to tell me where the official Siren pool is.

I realise that we're waiting outside the library and I was so lost in my thoughts of water that I had no idea that we'd actually stopped. This tells me that I'm pushing my limits for how long I can be away from the water, and I need to go to the pool as soon as I can. Now that I'm thinking about it though, Hunter hasn't been for a run for a while, and I have no idea when Nate and Kyle last let their Griffins out, either. I glance out the window at the dying light, it's still reasonably early, but after searching the library, I don't think we'll have enough time tonight. However, we do need to go soon.

"Hunter, Nate, and Kyle," I say, gaining their attention as we wait for Maria and the guys to arrive.

"What's up?" Kyle asks.

"I was just wondering if you want to go for a run tomorrow night? I need to get in the water, and we're supposed to all be sticking together."

"Yeah, that sounds great actually. My griffin is practically itching for a run," Nate replies.

"Mine too," Kyle agrees.

"I'll never turn down a run," Hunt says.

"Great, we can go after dinner tomorrow."

"Sounds good," Hunter replies.

"Wait, would that be considered as practicing magic outside of classes?" Cole asks worriedly.

Cain frowns, "I wouldn't imagine that it would be since that's a vital part of your health and your rights as a supernatural to be able to run when you need to. They can put the rule in place because magic users can be unstable and dangerous if not trained properly, so that's the only reason why they're getting away with it. It might just be an issue for Jax because he can use the water in his lessons."

"I don't have lessons in the water," I reply.

"What? You've never had a lesson in the natural school pool?" Cain asks incredulously.

I shake my head, "Nope, I don't even know where it is."

"Which is why you're using the pool in the woods," Cain summarises, and I nod in conformation, "okay, I could tell you where the pool is, but I'm not sure it's a good idea for you to use it, so carry on with the plan and just be careful. I would suggest going out later in the evening so that you're less likely to be spotted, and if you are, use the water to your advantage."

"Got it," I reply.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Sage pull her lip into her mouth and start chewing on it as she worries. I squeeze her hand, getting her to look up at me while everyone else falls into their own conversations.

"Please be careful. I don't like it." She tells me earnestly.

"I promise that I will," I reply and then add, "I wouldn't go knowing that it worries you if it wasn't for the fact that I need to. My Siren needs it."

"I know that's why I'm not asking you to stay; I'm just asking you to be careful and look after each other."

I nod and then lower my head, pressing my lips against hers.

"Hey guys," Erin greets happily, causing Sage and I to pull apart as we come out of our little bubble and back to the here and now.

"Hey, sorry it took us a while. Dean was determined to find his artifact papers," Maria says, rolling her eyes.

I chuckle as Dean holds up a handful of papers triumphantly. "I found them."

"Yes, but we were late and it was unnecessary because Asher said that he could just print more off for you," Yates reminds him.

"Yes, but I found them," Dean argues back.

"As amusing as this is, I think we should probably get inside," Cain says, interrupting their banter.

"Yeah, of course," Dean replies, and then adds, "sorry."

We all sort of look at each other since the door is usually locked by now, and none of us have tried to open it, and we have all heard the stories of the kids who have tried to get in after hours and the magical backlash that they've received from it. I think I heard about one kid who ended up with pens for hair for a week, and no one could work out how to undo the spell. They had to beg the library to undo it itself.

I personally thought it was hilarious at the time, but standing here now, I really don't want some sort of backlash like that. That was one of the milder stories of what happens to people who try to trespass, and I know that it depends on the intention of the person getting in. which is why I'm hoping that our intentions of wanting to help the library and give it back the control of the whole space will mean that it will let us in.

"Why are we all just standing here?" Sage stage whispers, making me smile.

"I imagine because of the stories of what the library does to people who try to get in after hours," Cain replies with an amused smirk.

"You're the teacher, you ask?" Kai suggests with a smirk of his own.

"Er, no, I'm okay actually," Cain replies.

"Oh, for fuck sake, I'll ask," Asher says, rolling his eyes like we're all being ridiculous, but he can't completely hide his nerves.

We all move out of his way, and he slowly approaches the door.

Just as he gets there, Jett says with a teasing smirk, "If you get pens for hair or lose your eyebrows, I'm going to laugh. I just thought it was right that you know."

Asher flips him off, "Thank dude. That was surprisingly unhelpful."

"You are welcome," Jett replies with a grin that has me trying to hide my own.

"Could you let us in, please, so that we can help you get rid of the thing that's stopping you from occupying the whole of your library?" Asher asks the library door, looking a little bit like he's lost it.

There's a resounding click that signifies that the door has been unlocked and Asher slowly reaches forwards, no doubt trying to make sure that he's not about to get tricked and end up missing eyebrows. I think we all breathe a sigh of relief as the handle turns, and he pushes the door open with no adverse consequences.

At least that's what it looks like.

"So far, so good," Asher says as he looks back at us and then turns back around, stepping over the threshold.

The rest of us all wait to see if anything happens to him, and when it doesn't, we all head in after him.