“What?” Sir Violet twitched in Sela’s hand. “I’m not letting them go without protection.” The lady stared at the sword. “I’d like to see you try.” She pointed at the two of us. “They are still children. What a twenty-three-year-old is doing taking orders from one is another matter, but Blue Wheel is very clear. No unsupervised adults on school grounds, and certainly not armed.” Sela herself kept making tiny movements. I walked over to

I folded my arms over my staff. “We’re not going anywhere,” I said. The lady sighed, and nodded. “That is already one demerit. Add another because you were late, and you are already in the bottom third of your class, Miss McKay.” “Mel.” She tutted. “Emelia. No nicknames at Blue Wheel.” “Good, because we’re not going.” “Two.” There was a notebook in her hand, and a slim pen in the other. She made a notation.

“CHILDRENNNN!!!” A voice thundered. The floor shook. I grabbed at the bed, and hung on tight. Darkling flew around, screeching. Dust fell down in waves from the rafters. Lady Violet and her blade remained centered. The noise subsided. So did the thumping downstairs, and the mutters and death threats. The three of us looked at each other, confused. Was there a new terror in the building? A wyvern egg hatch? A god? The Mayor? “Children,