Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,61
in search of food.”
Her face becomes flushed as her embarrassment takes over. “Oh, I got worried.”
I’m annoyed with my sister for saying whatever she felt like in front of strangers, but I’ll deal with her later.
Ophelia rises from the table. “I’d better leave you kids to eat in peace and see if Harry and Artex have everything they need. We’re expecting a big turnout later today.”
“Wait, more people are coming here?” Phoenix raises his eyebrows.
“Oh yeah. Harry sent word that we need more workers mining the cave.”
“Is it wise to draw so much attention to this place?” Bryce asks. “Someone might be followed.”
“Oh, have faith, young man. The power of Magia is on our side.”
She leaves the cabin with a bounce in her step and not a hint of concern. I wait until I know for sure she’s not within earshot before I speak. “We can’t stay here.”
“Oh, I’m glad you think so too,” Rufio replies. “These people are nuts and completely out of touch with reality.”
“It’s extremely concerning that they’re not even considering the possibility they might have a mole.” Morpheus rubs his chin, staring out the open door.
The sky is no longer pitch black, which means we have to make a decision quickly before people start arriving.
“If it makes you feel any better, Xavier doesn’t completely trust them either,” Toby says.
“Dude, of course it doesn’t make us feel better.” Phoenix throws his hands up in the air.
“He asked me to listen to the thoughts of the newcomers, and also of Harry and Artex. I didn’t pick up anything malicious from them. The group who arrived is definitely one hundred percent on board with assisting Daisy in defeating the Neo Gods.”
“That’s good to know,” Phoenix replies.
“But,” Toby continues.
“Oh fuck, there’s always a but,” Rufio mutters.
“Their devotion to Magia is almost obsessive. I fear that if Daisy does anything they don’t agree with, they might turn against us.”
If I wasn’t already worried about them, I would be now. My heart feels like it’s being squeezed by a boa constrictor.
I hug my middle, feeling completely at a loss. “What should we do?”
“Shh. Someone is coming,” Morpheus warns us.
A minute later, Xavier comes in, but he didn’t come alone. I sense Renata’s signature just outside the cabin. Felicity must be with her too.
“Ophelia told me you were eating breakfast.” He eyes all the groceries that are still inside the bags. “I see you didn’t start yet.”
“When can we leave?” I ask.
His eyebrows scrunch together, and his lips form a thin flat line. “I can’t get a hold of Gunther, and with Chaos out there looking for us, I’m not sure we can—not just yet, anyway.”
“We can’t stay here,” Morpheus says, dead serious.
“And delusional,” Rufio adds. “They aren’t in the least concerned about a breach or being followed here.”
“I know. I’ve tried to make Harry and Artex see reason, but they do believe the mine and the miasma caused by the lightning-glass fumes will be enough of a deterrent.”
“Not if the enemy is one of them.” Phoenix snorts.
“I don’t want to piss them off and lose our source of lightning-glass, but we do need a plan. We can’t stay here for much longer,” I say.
There’s also the fact that I want to interrogate Delta. Maybe I can get him to tell us where the Neo Gods’ secret headquarters is. And there’s also the matter of the antique book that could be in the hands of the new principal, and I need it. Shit. I should have kept that tome with me at all times.
“I have an idea,” Rosie pipes up.
“This ought to be good,” Phoenix whispers mockingly.
Rosie narrows her eyes in his direction but decides to ignore the jab. Thank God.
“What if we got our hands on some of the lightning-glass in raw form and load the trunks of our cars with it? Do you think it will create enough fumes to form a protective barrier around us?” she asks Xavier.
“But it affects us. We won’t be able to fight,” I say.
“Well, it will affect anyone trying to attack us as well.” She shrugs.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Xavier mutters. “But we also need a safe place to stay.”
“I’ll call my mother. She’ll help us,” Morpheus replies.
Felicity comes into the cabin in a hurry, interrupting our meeting. “Harry and Artex are coming this way.”
“Thanks, Felicity,” Xavier says, then turns to us. “Try to keep your true feelings concealed around any church member. And