Dragon Fire Academy 1 First Term an RH academy romance - Rachel Jonas Page 0,81

time,” another answered.

It was common knowledge that the first time shifting was hell, but the unknown in this situation was how Noelle would react to it.

“She just … appeared here,” a girl to my left informed me. “Like, I was sitting by the fountain staring right here, and then she just showed up.”

My best guess was that she’d done a cloaking spell, which accounted for the girl’s explanation of how Noelle just appeared out of thin air. But why had she been so adamant about getting off campus undetected?

I could stand there and speculate, or I could get her out of there before things went from bad to worse.

Noelle’s body was burning up when I lifted her and brought her to my chest.

“I think she was trying to go somewhere. Before she collapsed, it looked like she was headed that way,” the girl said, pointing toward the gate. “When I got close, she mumbled something about a … weeping stone?” She shrugged, unsure of what that meant, but I knew exactly where Noelle had been headed, back to where we found her the first week she arrived. There was something significant about that place for her.

“Please,” Noelle panted, causing my eyes to lower to hers as they fluttered. “I couldn’t get there.”

With no time to thank those who tried to help, I took flight the next second, not fully understanding why I was doing as she asked, instead of just taking her to the bungalow. The others were there, and could help me with her, but instead, I was flying in the exact opposite direction, deep into the rainforest.

Still, I’d need them.

‘Omegas, get to the Weeping Stone,’ I commanded. ‘I’m on my way there now.’

There hadn’t been much chatter inside my thoughts from the others today, but as static moved over my skin, I knew they were there.

‘On our way,’ Paulo responded immediately. No questions asked.

The wind had picked up, making it difficult to control my direction, so I lowered closer to the trees. There, the heavy breeze was marginally less intense, but the rain still blew horizontally, coming straight at me.

‘Be careful. It’s getting nasty out here.’ A rumble of thunder punctuated the warning I gave the others. Dragons had very few weaknesses, but lightning—or any spike in electricity for that matter—was definitely one of them.

My heart raced as I cut through the air, nearly blinded by rain, but the sense of urgency that swelled within me made it impossible to slow down.

‘Ori, you seeing these clouds?’ Rayen asked. They were jagged and low-hanging, even visible in the dead of night.

‘Yeah, change of plans. Head to the cave about a mile west of the stone. And get there fast,’ I replied, hoping they kept focused.

‘I know the place. How is she?” Paulo’s concern was disturbingly obvious, which meant Kai’s antics had, apparently, been more than convincing.

‘Not good. We need to hurry. I think it’s Noelle’s magic. She’s shifting and I don’t think it’s sitting well with Mother Nature.’ As soon as I thought those words, another flash of lightning lit up the sky, illuminating ominous storm clouds that resembled mountains.

I glanced down at the half-conscious girl in my arms, having to admit to feeling oddly concerned for her safety, in addition to the safety of our island.

The stream that came into view below meant I was getting close to my mark, and the soft hand that lifted to grip the back of my neck, meant Noelle was coming to. My gaze lowered toward her as she blinked, pushing rainwater from her eyes with her free hand.

The one that wasn’t pressed to my skin, making me lose focus just a little.

“You’re all right,” I told her.

Before leaning her head to my shoulder again, she nodded, letting me know I had her trust. I hadn’t expected that to affect me, but it did. Maybe because seeing her vulnerable like this was so familiar, reminding me of another who’d needed me once. Only, back then, I failed to deliver, and I would spend the rest of my life regretting it.

‘It’s gonna take us longer than expected,” Paulo rang in. ‘This wind is wicked, but we’re pushing as hard as we can.’

As another gust pressed against me, forcing me to land a little sooner than expected, I understood.

‘Just get here as soon as you can,’ I answered, knowing they’d do their best. For now, though, it was just Noelle and me.

With our speed and strength, it was a rare event for a storm