Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,31

was taken over by Neo Gods,” she blurts out.

“What do you mean?”

Rufio and Phoenix join us in the hallway, but it’s Rufio who speaks first. “I just got a text from Bryce. Our mother got sacked, and the new principal is a Neo God.”

“Are he and Toby okay?” I ask.

“Toby is fine,” Rosie replies. “He didn’t mention Bryce.”

“Bryce got hurt,” Xavier announces as he comes in.

There’s a sudden sharp pain in my chest. I press my hand against it, trying to soothe the phantom aching that’s just too real. My fear for his safety mixes with guilt. I shouldn’t have let Bryce go back to school.

“He didn’t tell me that,” Rufio replies with an edge.

“He might not have been able to elaborate. He sustained three wounds from lightning-glass. The poison works quickly. You know that.” Xavier gives him a meaningful glance.

Rufio’s already pale face blanches even more. Threading his fingers through his hair, he walks away from the group. Phoenix and I lock gazes, and in silent agreement, we both follow him.

“Bryce will be okay,” Phoenix tells Rufio. “He’s too fucking strong to be taken down that easily.”

“Lightning-glass poison can kill any Idol, even the most powerful ones.” He turns around. “But I know he’ll be okay. My mother will do anything to save her Idol-making machine.”

And that knowledge is not comforting in the least. Not the saving Bryce part but what Jodie wants to do with him.

“Are they coming here?” Rosie asks Xavier.

“No. Absolutely not. I don’t want Jodie to know this location.”

“Good,” Rufio says. “You shouldn’t trust my mother.”

“Am I the only one here thinking that if she can’t be trusted, then we shouldn’t be following her insane plan to build an army of newly minted Idols?” Phoenix poses the question that’s been plaguing my mind since Mr. Silverstone announced his alliance with her.

“Most Idols hate us.” Rosie steps forward. “How many do you think will side with the Knights? We need more power on our side.”

“There’s no guarantee that the Idols Bryce makes will fight for our cause,” Rufio retorts.

“I have to go see Bryce,” I say suddenly, veering toward the front door.

“Daisy, wait.” Xavier comes after me.

“Don’t try to stop me.”

He places a hand on my arm. “I wasn’t trying to. Jodie hasn’t told me where she’s taken Bryce and all the Fringes she rescued.”

“Yet, right? She hasn’t told you yet.”

“I don’t think that’s the case. She’s still angry that I swept in and took you under my wing. She’ll keep their location a secret for as long as she can.”

I’m so furious, I could break things. Rage simmers in my gut, ready to be unleashed. If Andromeda were here, she’d be able to find them. But no, I can’t think about that traitor now.

“I’ll turn Saturn’s Bay upside down to find them,” I grit out.

Xavier squints while a muscle in his jaw ticks. He’s scrutinizing me big-time, but I don’t care.

“You’re not going traipsing around while there’s a reward for your head. That’s reckless behavior.”

“Newsflash for you: I am reckless!” I stomp away before I do something I’ll regret later.

To prove my point, I slide the glass door open and step outside. I shouldn’t be doing that. Anyone on the beach can see me. Only, there’s no one around. I lean against the back of a patio chair, noticing I’m shaking nonstop.

I was short-tempered before I turned into an Idol, but this uncontrollable fury is new. It’s clouding my mind. A loud snap catches me by surprise. Shit. I broke off a piece of the chair with my bare hands.

“Holy cannoli. Did you take steroids or something?”

I turn around, finding Morpheus standing near the sliding door with a small smile on his face. Without hesitation, I run into his arms, almost sending us both to the floor when I crash into him.

“Easy there, girlie.” He laughs against my hair.

Curling my fingers around his shirt, I take a whiff of his heady scent. At once, I feel much more centered and in control. He runs his fingers through my hair, making me melt even more. I lean back and stare at his face.

“How did you get here?”

“I called Mr. X, and he gave me the address. My mother dropped me off.”

“And was he okay with her knowing this address?”

“I vouched for her. Besides, my mother is an ally. She’s going to fight to bring the Neo Gods down.”

“I knew I liked her for a reason.”

He smiles, showing me his adorable dimples. “You mean another reason besides