Crescent Wolves - G. Bailey Page 0,41

He was helping me.”

“Huh.” She raises her eyebrows, looking skeptical, but then shrugs and turns to me. “Listen, we all need to get back to the academic building. Right now.”

I frown. “Didn’t the breakfast bell just ring?”

Hazel shakes her head, eyes wide. “The president called an emergency assembly. One of the Academy students has gone missing.”

Chapter 17

Shade and I stare at each other. “Missing?” I ask, turning to Hazel. “Who?”

“One of the upperclassmen,” she replies, beckoning to the two of us. We follow her in stunned silence, walking fast. “A guy named Brody Patton. At least, that’s what people are saying.”

“How do they know he’s missing?” asks Shade, falling into step next to me.

Hazel looks at him. “I’m sorry, who are you, again?”

“Shade Ivis,” he replies.

Her expression darkens. “Right. Shade. I’ve heard about you.” She looks like she’s going to make another comment, but then she shakes her head. “Apparently he wasn’t at dinner last night. Everyone thought he was sick. But then he wasn’t in bed this morning, either. Apparently they searched the dorms and the academic building. But there’s been no sign of him.”

“Could he have just wandered off?” I ask, thinking back to my training session with Shade. Considering how big the forest is...

“I don’t know,” Hazel replies. “All I know is that they can’t find him anywhere. Hawthorne wants everyone to meet him in the East Lecture Hall. It’s the only space big enough for the whole school.”

I nod, mind reeling, but don’t say anything else. By the time we get back inside the main building, it’s immediately clear that something isn't right. Students hurry through the foyer in clusters, murmuring urgently to one another, and faculty members weave through the crowd, doing headcounts while shooting each other concerned looks. We follow the crowd down the east hallway, and I spot Josie herding confused-looking students in the right direction. “Save me a seat,” I tell Hazel, before jogging over to her. “Josie,” I say, “what’s going on? I heard someone’s gone missing.”

“Hi, Millie,” she replies, looking distracted. “Listen, I’m not allowed to say much right now. The president will explain everything at the assembly. Where were you, by the way? I didn’t see you in the dorm, so I thought maybe…” Her voice trails off.

“I, uh… I took a walk,” I reply. “I just needed some air.”

“I’m glad you’re alright,” she says. “But you need to stay inside until the president gives us more information. It’s possible this will turn into a…” She stops herself.

“A what?” I ask.

“Nothing,” Josie replies. “Go find a seat. I’ll see you after the meeting.”

Unable to get anything more out of her, I weave through the crowd in search of Hazel. She’s already seated in the auditorium by the time I arrive, looking uncomfortable next to Shade. To his left are Landon, Silas, and Hunter, all looking equally concerned. I squeeze in alongside them, thankful that they’re all here. It’s strange how… necessary they feel all of a sudden, even though I’ve only known them for a short time.

“Boots,” Silas says. “There you are. I was getting worried.”

“I told you she was fine,” Landon says. “She was training with Shade, remember?”

Silas blinks. “Oh. Uh, right.” He clears his throat, a tinge of color entering his face. There’s also a hint of something else as he glances at Shade.Jealousy? No. I push the idea away. That’s ridiculous.

“Do any of you know what’s going on?” I ask the others.

“No more than you do,” Landon replies.

“What about this Brody guy?” Hazel asks. “Do any of you know him?”

The guys shake their heads. “I think he’s a friend of my sister’s,” says Hunter.

Landon snorts. “Charming.”

Hunter shoots him a look. “He’s a siren, Landon. Like you. Be careful, or you might be next.”

Landon raises his eyebrows. “Was that a snarky comeback, Hunter?” He laughs. “Maybe there’s hope for you after all.”

Hunter glowers but says nothing more. Moments later, I see President Hawthorne walk onto the lecture hall stage, flanked by a few people who I can only assume are either faculty or board members. I can make out Mrs. Fairbanks and her enormous spectacles, as well as Samantha, who is standing off to the side, arms crossed. One of the board members has Hunter’s fiery red locks--no doubt his and Amelia’s father.

Hawthorne approaches the podium, tapping the microphone a couple times and clearing his throat. It takes a moment for the assembled students to quiet down, but soon a hush falls over the auditorium. “Good morning,