Chapter 11

Heather

We waited in the therapist's lounge. One of the guards, Trent, had arrived in a state of panic and told us all to wait in here together. Frantic messages were playing over his radio. Something was going on in west wing. That was where Vedrac was. My heart was thudding, and all sorts of scenarios ran through my head. Was he dead? Dying? No, he was a lich. He'd already died long ago and was still here.

He'll be fine. He'll be fine. He'll be fine.

It was like a mantra. Another message on the radio, this time about a dragon in the yard, calling for extra guards to help take him down. Lyla let out a heart-wrenching sob next to me, and I pulled her in tight. I looked around. Serena wasn't here. Neither were a few of the others. I knew that Ella had been doing some classes over in other blocks a lot of the time, but I didn't know when or for how long. The rest I didn't know well. They hadn't been at breakfast. Were they okay? I looked around. Mrs. Cospire was sitting at a table by herself.

"Do you know where Serena and Ella are? And the others?"

Cospire looked at me for a moment like she was trying to make sense of what I'd said.

"Oh, Serena didn't have sessions until lunch so she was going to sleep in, I think. I'm not sure about the others, the schedule has been a mess. D block lounge, maybe?"

"Fuck."

I didn't comment on the fact that she was in charge of the schedule, so if it was a mess it was her fault. She was meant to be responsible for us and she didn't even have a clue where everyone was. My gut clenched with anger. None of the alarms were working, they'd been on the fritz. Serena probably didn't have a clue that anything was going on. Lyla continued sobbing in my arms. More messages on Trent's radio.

"The minotaur is breaking through the walls. Now east wing is rioting too."

Trent grabbed his radio.

"Is there a safe route to get the therapists out?"

No answer. He repeated the question.

"No. Stay where you are."

Trent grumbled and looked at us.

"It isn't safe to stay here and just wait for the prisoners to get to us, surely?" said David from behind me.

"He's right," I said to Trent.

Trent nodded and rubbed his forehead.

"Okay, I think I know a way out. We need to get to the infirmary."

Vedrac had said that too. I tried to pull up the memory of the area around the infirmary. It was near here, there weren't any exits near it. But I trusted Vedrac.

"Why the infirmary?" asked Cospire.

"Look, just trust me. That's a safe zone as long as we move now."

Trent pushed the door open and checked the corridor in front of him.

"Follow me."

We followed him out, and he turned left at the end of the corridor. I stopped and turned to Lyla, who still had tears streaming down her face. It was like a kick in the gut to have to leave her now, but I had to.

"I'm going to get Serena."

She took a shuddering breath and squeezed my hand.

"Be safe."

I turned right and ran straight for the staff rooms. It wasn't far, but far enough that I felt the weight of what I was doing. Going in the opposite direction of safety. But I couldn't live with just leaving Serena there. I skidded to a halt at her room and banged on the door frantically.

"Prisoners are escaping. There are fights everywhere."

The door flew open and Serena stood there, her mouth hanging slightly open for a moment before she composed herself. She listened to the growing noise of chaos behind me.

"Okay. Get yourself out of the nearest exit. Now."

"The others?"

"I've got no idea where they all are. Don't get yourself killed on a wild goose chase."

"My mate."

I didn't know where Vedrac was, and I couldn't just leave him.

"If I know one thing about mates, it's that he will find you and keep you safe. That will be his only priority right now. Get out and he will track you down. I promise. Go and head for the lake."

I nodded, trying to push away the anxiety I felt.

"What about you? Are you coming?"

"I'll be right behind you. I'm going to leave a note in case anyone comes down here, letting them know where to find us."

As she said that, Billy appeared behind me.

"Are you okay?" he asked Serena, looking right past me.

"Yes. I'm okay."

Serena waved a hand at me, and I turned and ran. She had a guard with her now at least. As I retraced my steps, the shouting got louder and louder. I was nearer to a back exit than to the infirmary now. I stopped and took a few deep breaths.

Calm. Be calm. You need to think clearly.

I knew logically that Vedrac could take care of himself. I knew that. I believed it. But, I couldn't bring myself to leave without him. I had no idea where he was. But he had mentioned the infirmary. I knew he would come looking for me, and I had to be there. If I wasn't, he wouldn't leave without looking for me, and he'd be in more danger. I mustered all of the courage I had and began to walk towards the infirmary and all the noise I had been moments from escaping.