“I got this.” Leo practically bared his teeth.
“Okay.” Bryan brought up his hands. “When you fail, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Thanks for your support.”
“Chill, dude. I’m not your enemy. Stop being a dick.”
Leo glared but said nothing. Geez, his fire element definitely needed a little control. I pleaded to Rob, who nodded.
“Bro, tomorrow, Clay and I taking you out for one last training before your tribunal. You need it.”
“Whatever.”
My mouth fell open. That was his way of controlling the situation? I pinched his arm, earning a look.
“Let’s just do this,” I stated and stared at the door.
Bryan and Leo fell into step behind Rob and me as we left the room. Rob waved to the two Council members standing watch outside my door. They both popped out. Wow, the Council put a lot of trust in Rob. They knew he was my boyfriend and could potentially let me escape. They also believed the elemutus around my neck had muted my powers, so that probably helped convince them.
It didn’t take nearly long enough to walk up to the main campus. As we drew closer, the soft tinkling of background of music filled the air. We rounded a corner, and I slowed. Giant white tents with mountainous peaks covered the grassy round that connected the houses with a huge patch of grass shaped like a compass. The statue of Cressida Clearwater was dead center of the activity, always keeping watch.
Suddenly, the pull to talk to her was too much to ignore. “Can you guys give me a minute?”
“Sorry, Reed. Council orders. I’m not allowed to leave your side.”
“Will you at least give me some privacy with her?”
Reluctantly, he nodded and motioned for the guys to stay back with him while I approached the statue. I rested my palm against the bronze material of her robes, and an immediate sense of peace washed over me. Not peace for me, but peace for her. She’d returned to the omnipresent essence that watched over the school.
“I’m glad you’re back,” I told her softly. “You had me worried there for a bit.”
Warmth sank into me. She was here, listening. It brought a smile to my face and a lightness to my heavy heart. “I’m sure you’ve seen everything that’s been going on, so I won’t bother giving you a recap.”
I closed my eyes and fought back the emotions tightening my throat and making it hard to breathe. “I’m about to step into the hardest battle of my life. Please, Cressida. Please find a way to be there for me. I—” I sucked in a breath when a sob snuck up on me and nearly escaped. “I can’t do this alone.”
Four sets of hands found me, resting on my shoulders, my arms, hands, and hips. My guys pulled me into a group hug. They didn’t push their control to me. They didn’t have to. Just their touch was enough to center me.
“You’re never alone, babe.”
“Montana, you know better than to think we’d let you have all the fun.”
“I should take you over my knee for saying something like that, Reed.”
“Katy?” Bryan squeezed my shoulder. “We are all here. That includes Cressida. I feel her. She’s not going to let you do this alone. None of us are.”
I nodded and pulled in a cleansing breath. I could do this. I could confront my mother, out her as the dark elemental she was, and get her sent to prison—or worse—and still be able to sleep at night.
“This way.” Clay, dressed surprisingly nice in a tie and slacks, led us to the entrance of the tent party. He waved for us to enter first. “If you’d like me to announce you, you’re out of luck. I may be stuck working the party, but I draw the line at presenting guests. What are we, royalty? Wait, we are royalty, so maybe…”
Grateful he still had a sense of humor in all this, I leaned against him. “I love you, you crazy air elemental.”
He beamed, grinning so wide, his back teeth showed as he regarded the other guys. His brilliant green gaze danced. “She loves me. You all heard that, right? You heard her say it. You totally heard that, right?” He laughed and kissed my cheek. “Go get ’em, Montana.”
“Here we go.”
As soon as I stepped into the tent, every set of eyes riveted to me. The entire scene went deafeningly still as even the soft music suddenly fell silent. My heart shot to my throat, and I tightened my grip on Rob’s arm.
He tightened his right back. “You got this, Reed.”
I got this. I got this. I got this. I chanted that as we walked deeper into the tent, not stopping until Rob delivered me to the one currently holding the title of prophecy. I kept my head down, hiding my eyes and submitting—well, pretending to submit—to her.
“Katy,” Sammie stated softly. “I’m so glad you came. Let me look at you.”
I lifted my head and regarded her, taking my time memorizing everything about her. She had on a gold gown with countless pleats in the long skirt, a strap over the right shoulder with a large flower on the shoulder made of the same shimmery material. Her hair, high in a beehive do accented by a gorgeous tiara—yes, an actual diamond crown—made her look far more elegant and sophisticated than I’d ever be.
“My daughter. How are you feeling?”
Like I want to throat punch you, you traitorous witch. I swallowed down what I really wanted to say. “Better.”
“Oh, my baby. You’ve been through so much. It’s no wonder you attacked me. I represent everything you’re not.”
You got that right. I dropped my gaze again before she caught the hatred burning in my eyes. “I’m definitely not you,” I muttered.
“What was that?”
Dial it back. “I just mean I can’t compete.” I nodded at her ball gown. “You make the prophecy look…” like a joke “…glamorous.”
“Oh, this.” She lit up at the compliment. “The Council insisted I dress the part.
