Page 52 of Fallout

We’re not alone.

Still, the thought of anybody going to war because of me doesn’t feel good.

“I don’t want anybody to fight.” I put a hand to the base of my throat.

King Basilicus gives me a blinding smile. “And that is why you will have our aid. I know that you do not mean to harm any of us. You will use your powers for good. You’re a good one, Henley Stone. Just make sure you always stay on the right side.”

I swallow hard, nodding my head.

Even if I was the kind of person would could turn to the side of evil, King Basilica’s threat is enough to make me never want to do anything unlawful.

Dragon shifters are terrifying.

12

The talk.

Henley

It’s a strange feeling to go from spending the weekend on the dragon king’s island and Monday morning to be back at high school, surrounded by humans.

I finally get what Parker has always said to me—that the kids at our school aren’t in the same world as us. Yes, I see them every day. I pass them in the hallway. But they have no idea what the pack is. They have no idea that supernaturals exist.

It’s hard to pay attention in first period. Not only are my thoughts racing, but the other students are watching me. Even the teacher is glancing back at me quite often.

Some of the kids are wondering why I wasn’t at school for three days. They also noted that Parker was absent, so they assume we were together.

Will furrows his brows as he looks at me.

She doesn’t look so good.

Will’s voice in my head temporarily blocks the other voices, but as soon as his thought escapes, the other voices come rushing back. My forehead is throbbing and my ears begin to ring. I lick my lips, trying to focus on something else, but it’s no use. The voices never lessen.

My chest aches as I realize that this is my life. The phoenixes have stayed hidden for two thousand years, it’s not like they’re going to reveal themselves to teach me anything. I’m just going to have to deal with it.

A piece of paper lands on my desk.

Are you all right?

I glance at Will and see that his focus is on me. He’s not even trying to pay attention to the teacher. She’s noticed that he’s not paying attention, but she doesn’t bother calling him out on it. He’s her best student. Well, other than me.

When I pick up my pen, my fingers feel numb. It’s difficult to respond. Words come so sluggishly to my brain.

I don’t think so.

As soon as I put my pen down, Will snags the paper from my desk. He stands up from his desk and comes over to me. I wonder what he’s doing when he picks me up from my desk and begins to carry me from the room. He doesn’t ask permission—he just does it. But I’m too relieved to care. I need to get away from the voices. But as soon as I’m in Will’s arms, the voices increase in volume. It feels like an ice pick is being forced into my brain.

When we get out of the classroom, the sensation lessens, but it doesn’t completely go away. We’re still too close.

I groan, hiding my face against his neck. “Further, please.”

But before he makes it more than a few steps from the door, Parker is there. He takes me from Will’s arms and the moment we touch, the voices are gone. The pain completely ceases. I sigh in relief.

“Thank you,” I whisper to Parker, then turn my head to look at Will. “And thank you. I don’t think my legs would’ve worked to walk out of there.”

Will doesn’t acknowledge my thanks as he looks at Parker. “What are you going to do about this?”

Parker clenches his jaw. “I’m taking her home.”