Page 95 of Stealing Embers
Searching both the mortal realm and the spectrum world will take twice as long. But if they did phase, someone could walk right by them without noticing. It’s like being invisible.
“That’s actually where most everyone is already searching. Considering the recent Forsaken attacks, everybody is a bit more concerned than normal.”
A crash on the other side of the doors causes me to start. Ash and Nova both whirl in the direction of the noise, arms raised and ready for a fight.
“I don’t care if I’m injured,” a voice bellows from behind closed doors. “I’m going to find them.”
So, Steel knows about the younger twins.
The doors burst open and slam against the exterior wall of the academy. Steel marches through the opening, tugging on a clean shirt, Greyson and Sable hot on his heels.
I backpedal several feet to get out of their way.
“Steel, get back to the med wing immediately,” Sable demands, but he stomps down the steps without heeding her.
His face and arms are wiped clean of the mess of rock and blood from our sparring session, but I caught a glimpse of his unbandaged wound when he pulled the long-sleeved shirt over his head.
Greyson lays a hand on Sable’s arm. “I’ll go with him. He’ll be all right.”
“He doesn’t even know where to start looking. Not to mention he’s going to die of exposure if he goes out like that. If he’d just take a few moments—”
“No!” Steel pivots and charges back up the steps, getting in Sable’s face. “A few moments was probably all it took for someone to snatch them. They could be—” I must have made a sound because Steel’s head snaps in my direction.
“You.” He points a damning finger at me and I shrink back. Rage sheds off him in palpable waves. “This is your fault.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“Existing is enough.”
Something pierces my chest and I glance down, sure I’ll find a sharp object protruding from my heart and my lifeblood spilling to the ground. I’m confused to discover I’m unscathed.
“The Forsaken are here for you. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone got caught up in your mess. I knew it!”
“Steel. Enough!” Greyson shoulders his brother to the side and comes to stand in front of me. “He doesn’t mean it. He’s just scared.”
“I knew this would happen,” Steel spits before storming down the steps and into the night.
“Steel, wait!” Greyson shouts and races after his brother.
Sable watches them leave with her fingers pressed against her lips.
“Emberly, I’m so sorry.” She starts to apologize, but I hold up my hand to stop her flow of words.
Turning from her, I walk woodenly to the open doorway.
“I’ll come with you,” Ash offers, but I wave her off.
“No, it’s important everyone look for the twins right now. I’ll help once I’ve changed into something warmer.”
I have to skirt Nova to escape. Her gaze bounces between me and the black night, her mind most likely trying to make sense of the events that just unfolded. Someone who cares for me wouldn’t have spoken to me like Steel just did.
I ache for her to know the truth, but it will come out soon enough. I’m only just barely holding pieces of myself together and need some privacy to superglue my fragmented soul.
Without a backward glance, I tuck tail and jog to my shared dorm room. Finding a book bag, I cram a pair of jeans, two sweaters, and some essential toiletries into it.
That’s enough. I’ve lived on less.
Shedding my training clothes, I don the warmest outfit within arm’s reach. It ends up being the only pair of jeans I have that don’t have holes in them—Ash only purchased one pair of those online—and an itchy wool sweater.