Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,53
little strange,” Bryce pipes up.
“You’re just saying that because those weirdos think you and Daisy together will bring forth the God-killer,” Rufio retorts.
I raise my hands. “Guys. Please don’t argue. We’ll keep our shields up when we’re around them. It’s the best we can do.” I focus on Bryce. “Now tell me what happened at school.”
“My mother got fired, and the new principal is a Neo God member, high up in the ranks. Rufio and I met him when those fuckers put the mind gag in our brains.”
“I can’t believe she didn’t see that coming.”
“She got cocky and thought she was untouchable. She forgot that my father’s connections run much deeper than hers.”
“So, we lost Gifted Academy to the Neo Gods. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Yep. The first mandate from the new principal was to lock down all Fringe students. To what purpose, I don’t know. He also armed some of the students with throwing stars made of lightning-glass.”
“I’d really like to know who is supplying those weapons to the Neo Gods.” Phoenix kicks a loose pebble.
“Well, the Knights had a mole, and they lost a transport of weapons. Gunther told me before I left to attend Nathaniel’s party.” Morpheus’s tone drips with contempt.
Oh yeah. With all the running for our lives, I forgot about that other hand grenade ready to detonate. I hope the Silverstones can handle Morpheus’s asshole half brother.
“Okay, but one lost transport wouldn’t account for the number of weapons we’ve seen in the hands of Neo Gods and Fringe gangs,” Rufio rebuffs. “They must be getting their supply from someplace else.”
“Do you think maybe they’ve found another source of raw lightning-glass?” I ask.
No one speaks for several beats. It seems my question has dropped like a bomb.
“If they did, then they also have Norms working for them. I can’t think why any Norm would do that,” Bryce says.
“Maybe they’re been forced to.” Phoenix crosses his arms.
Hell. Norms working as slaves for the Neo Gods? The idea alone brings bile to my mouth.
“This is only going to get worse, isn’t it?” I say, feeling miserable.
Morpheus squeezes my shoulder. “Yes, but we’re going to win in the end.”
I look into his eyes, afraid of the answer I might find there. “How do you know? Have you foreseen it?”
He shakes his head. “No. I haven’t had any premonitions in a while. It seems now that I’ve mastered my gift and unlocked my demigod powers, I’ve lost the sight.”
“Anyway,” Bryce interjects. “Back to the events that happened at school yesterday. We were able to free all Fringe students the new principal had locked down. The majority took off, but some stayed behind with Mom.”
“What do you mean, they stayed behind?” I ask.
“There’s a secret facility right under the school grounds.”
“Your mom took me to a secret chamber once, but it was high up, not underground. I thought that was it.”
“I guess not.”
“How was she able to get there if the school was under the Neo Gods’ control?”
“There’s a tunnel that leads there. The entrance is hidden in the forest by a powerful camouflage spell.”
Man, and the surprises keep piling up.
“Why is she keeping those Fringes with her?” I ask, but I can already guess the reason.
“They don’t have anywhere to go since their families are from out of town, but she also wanted me to change them into Idols.”
“Assuming they want to be changed into Idols. Did she ask them?” Rufio poses the question that was also in my mind.
Bryce gives him a droll stare. “Do you think she cares about what they want? Convincing them to become Idols in the aftermath of their ordeal would be child’s play for her. No wonder she wanted me to work on them right away.”
“But you got hurt and couldn’t do it,” I say, relieved that Jodie’s plan was thwarted.
“And then when Toby and I tried to reach you and couldn’t get through, we knew something bad had happened. We snuck out, disobeying my mother’s orders. She must be furious right now.”
“Let her be furious.” Rufio snorts.
Feeling restless, I break away from their circle to pace in front of the lake. “We need to rethink your agreement with your mother.”
“What do you mean?”
“You can’t start making Idols left and right. I think the reason it drains you so much is because you’re not meant to do it.”
“I’ve only done it three times, to save your life and the lives of your loved ones.” He sounds defensive. “Are you saying I shouldn’t have done