As I neared the West Corner, my heart began to beat faster and faster. There were four of us, so we’d split up to go to the Four Corners. We’d arranged that if any of us found Zarga, we’d contact the others (who’d come and find us) and they’d contact the sentries.
Unless Zarga found us first. That might be a problem, and one I was starting to realise was likely.
What had we been thinking? Why had we even thought this was a good idea?
None of our ideas today had been good ones.
There was a flash of silver up ahead – a small one, but it was definitely Silver magic.
I took out my phone and sent a text to the others. He’s @ West Corner. Then I braced myself and moved forward; now, my heart was beating so hard in my throat I could almost taste it.
He was there, doubled over, hands braced on his knees. His long hair hung over his face, and he was breathing hard. Suddenly, he stood up and thrust his hands out towards the tiny stone pillar; his magic swirled around the Corner, making it tremble. Zarga’s hands and arms shook violently.
There was a stream close by.
I lifted a small amount of water, twisted it into a whip and lashed it across Zarga’s back. He yelled and spun around, his face twisted and ugly with rage.
“You think you can challenge me?”
He stepped towards me. I quickly slapped at his face again with the whip, then lifted more water and slammed it over his mouth. He made muffled sounds of outrage, clawing at the water, but his fingers just went straight through it.
Then he whipped his hand through the air.
Something slapped me. The sting slowly grew; my knees shook, but I didn’t drop the water. He punched magic into my stomach next. I stumbled and fell forward, the air completely knocked out of me. I could hear him coughing, but I couldn’t move.
Zarga was walking towards me.
I lifted more water, dropped it over his head and kept it there with all my strength. This should buy the sentries more time…
Then Zarga’s clothes caught fire. A sharp breeze lashed at his torso. Lucas and Matti came to stand either side of me.
Coughing, I staggered upright. I wanted to say Took you long enough, but I literally couldn’t get the words out.
Magic gathered at Zarga’s hands – but one of his feet suddenly sunk into the earth. There was a sudden snap; his eyes widened, then he let out a yell of pain.
“Good one, Nadia!” said Matti. He smirked at the fae. “Hear that?”
There were shouts in the distance.
“Those are the sentries. You’ve lost.”
“You know, I don’t think he even recognised us.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “That’s probably a good thing, Matti.”
After arresting Zarga, Marcel told us he’d contacted Headmistress Keller and told her about the situation. He made it clear the fae would be told about his capture but that our names would be left out of it. We didn’t have a problem with that at all.
“I don’t think you realise how lucky you are. Zarga wasn’t at his full strength; if he had been, you probably wouldn’t be alive right now. There’s also the fact that he was able to even get into the Academy ground. If other fae found out, they might try it. It’s best you’re kept out of it.”
“No complaints from me,” Lucas had said.
“So what do we do now?” Nadia asked tremulously.
I looked at my friends. We were back in the waterfall reading nook; the sound of the water drowned out our voices to anyone listening outside. “I don’t know. I think we might have gotten away with it.”
Matti nodded. “Good.” He walked to the door – then paused, glancing back at us.
“See you later. I’m going to call my dad.”
Hope you enjoyed it!