“This should result in expulsion, Foster. Attacking a teacher? Now a student? Adair’s actions are his own consequences and will be dealt with. Memphis is fine. You’re executing penalties leading with your heart and not your logic. That’s a dangerous dance to take part in.”
Brokk snapped his gaze to behind him, focusing more, and he spotted Memphis wide-eyed but standing meekly, looking more embarrassed than anything.
Roque stared at him, darkness filling his gaze. Sighing, he stood before raising his voice, “Brokk Foster, you are hereby expelled for the act of already assaulting a teacher and now trying as well with a student.”
“No, “Adair protested, pushing past Emory, limping, a bruise flowering on his jaw. He flicked his gaze to Brokk before refocusing on Roque. “This is a misunderstanding. Brokk shouldn’t be punished. He is just being a loyal friend. Isn’t this what the Academy teaches, to protect others above all?”
“Yes, but not to reprimand with violence.”
“The world is being ripped apart from its core by violence! Right now, Roque, there are dark forces working against you, to destroy any sense of good that the Academy has built,” Adair said and flushed, but his words struck true.
Roque looked to his best friend’s son; his features stony. “But to respond with such a reckoning will ensure we tear apart the moral we have built.”
Adair seethed. “And to do nothing except ensure there is a reckoning will form a security never seen before. In this case, we have to fight.”
“He’s right.” Tadeas stepped forward, making all of them instinctively step back. “Roque follow through with what we have decided. Together, we will stop Cesan and make sure Kiero will not fall into another war. These are your people, your land. Take your claim to protecting it.”
Roque growled under his breath and said to Adair and Brokk, “I will deal with both of you later. To your rooms. Now.”
Turning to Tadeas, Roque snapped, “Do not tell me exactly what I should do or how I should feel. If this alliance is to work, you must earn my trust. I am not quick to forget the way you came here, Tadeas.” His eyes narrowed. “To tell my wife her father had been killed? That our peace treaty is no longer recognized? That our fabrication of a government is pitiful? Don’t overstep your boundaries.” Roque turned, leaving Tadeas to follow him.
Brokk stood shakily, turning to Emory and Adair. Adair glowered at him, not saying a word then limped down the hallway.
Emory rested a hand on his arm as Brokk started to go after Adair. “You’ve done enough. Let me go talk to him first. We’ve all been through a lot.”
Emory shot him one more look, disappointment shining in her eyes before catching up with Adair. Linking arms, they left.
Memphis gave him a pitying look then joined Emory and Adair.
Leaving him alone in the hallway, his heart was in his throat, his fear consuming him. Swallowing down his disappointment, Brokk made his way back to his room.
Chapter Six
Memphis
They walked in silence, unsure of what to say to one another. Adair’s shoulders were slumped, curved inward, like he was protecting his heart. Emory was pure energy, each bounce of her step deepening her frown or the pinch between her eyebrows.
He looked to the bland hallways that contained his life, his hope, and his future. This school was so much more; it had been a symbol of change, a promise of a way of life that could get him back home. Back to his parents. To be a part of his family once more. That would mend the displacement Roque’s father had created.
He had thrived off this, thrown himself into his studies, private tutors, and endless sleepless nights just thinking of that wish.
And now?
It seemed to be all spiraling, slipping through Memphis’s fingers faster than he could manage. Shooting a glance at Adair, he wanted to say something. Clenching his jaw, his drained body chose for him. His black shirt seemed to constrict as Memphis stuffed his hands into the pockets of his well-worn black pants.
Adair had slipped. His fellow classmates, even some teachers, had let their skepticism of Adair be known, that he truly was dangerous, that his family shouldn’t be trusted. But the Strattons were powerful and were so close to the Faes, that it was a risk to mention it.
Memphis had always scoffed at his peers’ judgments; they were harsh and had little reason to think Adair was any different than them. Everyone at this school was a risk, to themselves and to the people around them. Why should they single out Adair?
Finding his gaze drifting once more to his friend, doubt clawed at his mind. Emory caught his gaze, and Memphis flushed, quickly looking away. The hallway curved; they were coming to their crossroads.
Say something.
Adrenaline made everything look sharper than it appeared, like fragmented shards awkwardly pieced together. The lighting along the walls seemed too bright, a strange hissing noise coming from them. The classrooms they passed were too distorted, too empty. He felt the air grow thicker, more humid. Gulping, he quickened his pace, knowing he didn’t have long before succumbing to another episode of his ability.
“Memphis, wait!”
Emory and Adair’s voices overlapped, creating a strange harmony throughout his mind, and he stopped, his body shaking. Sweat slicked every ounce of his skin, but Adair pushed in front of Emory.
“Memphis, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean... Well, actually, I did mean to, but let me try to explain!”
Taking a deep breath, Memphis paused, holding on to his control as Adair said in a rush, “I made a mistake. You have to believe me! All I could think about in that moment was how to get to my dad, and I never meant to hurt you!”
Raising his gaze to Adair, Memphis said coolly, “To get to your dad by whatever means possible right?” He looked away. “Just forget it, Adair. It’s already done.”
“Memphis!” Emory exclaimed.
A cold strong pressure on his wrist made
