News of the death of Alec von Leer sent dark elementals into hiding. Instead of the guys and me being labeled heroes for stopping the batshit crazy dark elemental from taking over our world, the Council swept how it happened under the rug. The fact we’d all nearly died because of that asshole didn’t matter. The fact no one could call their elements for weeks after the battle didn’t matter either. He’d gotten through the academy’s protective wards. Something like that got out, and parents would yank their kids from the academy so fast, the school would implode. That was all that mattered.
So instead of telling the truth about how he’d died, the Council had everyone convinced Alec and I battled it out in some secret location, and I fulfilled the prophecy by beating him. And by beating him, that meant killing him.
Apparently, killing a man to save the world didn’t make me a murderer. Another go me.
The fact they never found his body was another pesky little detail the Council swept under the rug. Still, I no longer felt him watching me, no longer felt his cold darkness closing in, consuming all my warmth. He’d died that night. I had to believe that.
“Who wants their class schedules?” Professor Layden walked into the gym holding up several envelopes. She’d convinced the Council to open warded training facilities all over the island, giving elementals a safe place to train outside the academy, each one run by a professor from Clearwater. A tiny yet powerful quad, Professor Layden ran this gym like she ran her classes—with quiet, yet fierce and a little frightening authority. I could use one of the other gyms, but I liked this one the best. I also liked the professor, so it was a win/win. Besides, I worked here in exchange for renting the room upstairs since they’d closed campus for the summer.
“Gimme, gimme, gimme.” I ran over and grabbed them. The guys all took theirs and ripped at the envelopes. I did the same and froze, my heart sinking as I read the same two-hour class I had last year. Swinging a confused look at the professor, my mouth fell open. “I’m in 3C again?”
Rob threw on his tank top. “Three years, Reed. It took me three years to get through her class.”
I kept my attention on the petite brunette who held me back. “Why am I still in 3C? Was me beating Alec von Leer last year not enough proof that I have total control over my calls?”
She took a breath, but Clay’s comment cut her off. “Montana, you’re not on my list of charges.”
“What?” I looked at him, then the others. They all shook their heads, and my heart sank lower. “I’m not on any of your lists?” They shook their heads again. I spun to face Professor Layden. “Every student in 3C is required to have a handler. Since you’re holding me back—”
“I’m not holding you back,” she corrected softly. “I need your help.”
“My…huh?” That shut me up.
“There are several new fire elementals this year, and since fire is my weakest element, I could use your help with them. In fact, I could use your help with the earth elementals, as well.” When I didn’t immediately jump at the request, she went on. “Your internship this year is to be my TA.”
“I never signed up for that.” Every student at Clearwater Academy had to sign up for an internship each year and usually got one of their top choices. I wanted to be on an extraction team with the guys and put that as my top choice. They were assigned to extractions again this year. But, apparently, I didn’t make the cut. Awesome. I also didn’t get an internship with Syd Franklin, the academy’s healer. Or the opportunity to work with Mr. Sandstrom on the grounds. Instead of getting any of the internships I requested, I got to hang out with a professor.
Go fucking me.
“I requested you. I’ll also be taking over as your faculty advisor while Professor Fowler trains new light elementals.” Her slight lisp really came through with that statement. “There are a fair number of them this year, more than he can train and also be your faculty advisor, so I offered to take over.”
“I didn’t know you were a faculty advisor.”
“I’m not.” She smoothed her hand over her hair, tucking in the strands that’d come loose from the tight bun she always wore. “Until now. We’ll be making a few changes to your training schedule.”
“Such as?”
“Not training with the quad squad, for starters. I had to pry you apart more than once last year.”
Rob and I exchanged glances. Whoopsie.
“School is for learning, not making a scene worthy of an R rating in the middle of the training field.” Professor Layden then turned and walked out of the room, leaving me staring at the doorway. Times like this, I debated switching gyms.
“That must be why you aren’t on any of our lists.” Leo took a long drink of water, draining half the bottle. “You aren’t still in the class. You’re helping teach the class.”
Clay took my schedule and read through it, grinning wide. “Hey look, Montana. We’re in the same primary this year. Sweet.”
“Makes sense,” Rob said. “We spent last year focused on your fire call. Time to switch things up. Now, we really need to go. They’re waiting for us. See you later, Reed.” He kissed me before disappearing with an audible pop as he teleported out of the room.
“I’ll call you later, Katy.” Bryan kissed my cheek before popping out.
Clay casually strolled next to Leo as he pulled on his shirt. The water elemental hated to teleport and would rather call for an Uber. From the sound of it, they didn’t have time to wait for him to catch a ride. “We’ll let you know when we’re back.” As the strongest air caller, Clay always stayed close to Leo to make sure he teleported out
