Dragon Fire Academy 1 First Term an RH academy romance - Rachel Jonas Page 0,53

between us on hold. However, he’d spoken of the connection he and the others had with the kids at the orphanage, so getting there to help was priority.

“Wait,” I called out when he stood. “Take me with you. I can help.”

“Noelle, we can’t risk it, but don’t be afraid,” he sympathized. “One of the others will stay behind so you’re not alone.”

He misunderstood. I didn’t want to go because I was afraid to be here alone.

“But they need all of you there,” I protested. “And if you take me, they’ll have more help. Besides, it sounds like the danger has passed, and people only need their injuries taken care of. You know I’m good with that.”

There was a pained look in Kai’s eyes when I believed he realized I was right.

“Ori will never allow it,” he attempted to protest.

“Good thing Ori isn’t in charge of me,” I retorted, which made him smile a little. “We’re wasting time, and these kids need us. Just take me with you.”

He was clearly torn. “I’m never gonna hear the end of this,” he sighed, reaching for me. When he lifted my legs to his waist and braced me against him, I was tempted to tell him I’d make it worth his while later, but caught myself just in time. I knew better than to make a promise I wasn’t sure I was ready to keep.

“Hold on,” he warned again, going airborne before I even had the chance to breathe in.

Chapter Fifteen

Noelle

I changed in under a minute, knowing time was of the essence. The guys were waiting when I rushed out onto the dock, but Ori paced, impatient as he passed a hard glare my way. I guessed it was because I’d been the cause of their departure being slightly delayed.

Kai hadn’t been clear on what condition these kids were in, so I told myself to expect the worst. Pain management and wound care, I could heal. Severed limbs, however, were beyond my scope of capability. With any luck, we weren’t headed into that sort of situation.

We took off from the dock with me in Kai’s arms, all four guardians glowing like meteors as we passed over the island’s dense forest, coming to a town I hadn’t had a chance to see before. With the strict instructions to stick close to campus, I had a feeling there was a lot I hadn’t seen yet.

Ori, Rayen, and Paulo slammed to the ground, bracing themselves on one knee and their fists. Just like Rayen had done earlier that evening, scaring me half to death. Kai came in more slowly, bearing down into the soil to slow him to a stop. The moment he was steady, I was lowered from where I clung to him with my legs wrapped around his waist. We didn’t waste any time rushing toward the large house that stood alone among the trees. It was well-lit and painted bright, fun colors—turquoise, yellow, pink, and orange. However, when we stepped inside, the interior had been damaged so badly it no longer matched the vibrant façade.

Several windows on one side were blown out, and scattered, broken furniture told half the story of the carnage that had taken place here. Upon walking a few yards to an open room off the back of the house, seeing how many had been injured told the other half.

I turned to my guardians, expecting their expressions to show the horror I believed I showed through my own, but they were composed, ready.

“Is everyone okay?” Ori stepped forward to ask, aiming the question at an adult with a bloodied white polo and jean shorts. Her name tag read Janet.

“Mostly,” she answered panting. When she paused to push a hand through her gray-streak hair, Ori brought her close just as tears welled in her eyes. “It happened so fast.”

“It’s all over now,” he replied, quieting her.

I’d never seen him this way—gentle, tender. Maybe it was just me he treated coldly.

“Sue and Lloyd took off,” Janet shared, clearly concerned for the two she spoke of. “You have to find them,” she insisted.

“Of course,” Paulo promised from where he stood posted beside the door.

“Where are the children?”

I turned toward Kai when he asked.

Janet pointed toward a back entrance. “Malu and Josh worked fast to get the others into the storm cellar when things took a turn. If they hadn’t acted so quickly, I don’t know what would’ve—”

She got choked up and had to push through it.

“I don’t know what would’ve happened,” she finished. “They’re