Page 128 of Gift from the Nexus

Corentin and I get up from the stairs to join them and the five of us stand together, gazing at our new waterfall pouring into the pool. I admit, it’s so much better than I thought it would be, and I have no doubt that has everything to do with the fact my little wanderer helped make it.

“You were right. It needed a waterfall,” Tillman says as he bumps me with his elbow.

“You were right too. It wasn’t necessary until now,” I say as I smile at Willow racing Corentin over to the new rush of water.

Caspian cheated and moved through the water, beating them both there, but Willow and Corentin have made a game of their race, using their air elements to slow each other down.

I haven’t seen my brothers this relaxed and happy in, well, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen them this happy. And it’s all thanks to her.

I can’t wait until this is our life every day.

Twenty

Willow

Fuck, the countdown is so real.

My still pruney fingers fidget behind my back as we watch all the E.F. members and faculty start gathering in the gym. It’s time to go over the new plan with everyone and that just makes it so much more real.

Rather than rushing me out of the pool yesterday or telling me we had to get back to work, Corentin brought all the work over to us. Literally. Using his air, he lifted the patio table withall their files and plans on it and set it beside us so he could continue working while openly discussing everything with us.

He decided, with one hundred percent agreement from me, that we don’t tell anyone that the Summum-Master claims to be my grandfather. Granted, I’m still in complete denial about it, although in my heart, I know it’s the truth, unfortunately. I’m just not ready to acknowledge it.

I was so caught up in my own emotions yesterday when we left Rebel Castle, I didn’t realize he ordered Blaze, and all the E.F. members there to move the remaining prisoners to the palace prison, then all of them evacuated and return to the academy. Codi and Trex took Layton and his family to the palace healing wing, where they all will stay,

He could tell I didn’t understand the need for that, and sadly explained to me that the comment the Summum-Master made about not visiting the school in some time was either being referenced to Rebel Castle because that’s what it was some time ago or Vito Academy.

Him, Tillman, and Caspian are confident he was referring to Rebel Castle, though. Based on Franklin’s age, we know the Summum-Master is much older than him, so when or if he attended a school here, it’d be the Castle because there was no Vito Academy yet.

I instantly felt guilty because the madman is hunting me down, so now one of the two, or fuck even both, could possibly be ruined because of me. Especially now that his son’s dead. I’m not sure if he knows already, but I can’t imagine he doesn’t. The only reason I won’t say for sure is because I would’ve expected him to retaliate immediately and there’s been nothing.

“Good morning, everyone,” Corentin announces over the massive crowd now gathered in here. “Thank you all for joining us on such short notice. We have a very busy day ahead of us, so I will cut right to the chase. Due to the nature, uncertainty, andneed for my entire Nexus’s presence on this upcoming mission against the rebels, we’ve decided it’s in everyone’s best interest that we close the academy for a short two-week break.

“Unlike how we’d treat a temporary closure in a normal situation, we are requiring the students to leave campus. They need to be evacuated before the end of the day today, followed by all the faculty. Full-fledged E.F. members and personnel cleared by my Nexus will be the only remaining people here. This isn’t negotiable. I’m deeming this a level five evacuation even though there isn’t an imminent threat, so you all understand emergency protocol is now in effect. You’re all aware of your responsibilities in this situation.

“My assistant Geo has everyone’s locations they’re in charge of handling and you’ll report back to him once your areas are cleared. E.F. members report to Leader Tillman or second-in-command Ry, if you need anything during this evacuation. Arrangements have been made for any who may be charges of the academy or those who can’t, for whatever circumstance, return to their homes at this time.

“I want to make this clear. Although this may seem extreme, given the situation that happened just a short time ago, I’m not willing to leave you or the students vulnerable to any sort of retaliation. Let’s hope that won’t be the case, but if it comes to that, we will be ready. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. Thank you.”

His firm, commanding voice sends shivers down my spine and my anxious fidgeting stops. I sort of expected murmuring or questions to start being thrown out, but of course not. Everyone hastily begins making their way to Geo and the E.F. members make their way to the opposite side of the gym.

Corentin’s word as always is law and not in a forceful way, but a respectful one. I can’t pick up a sense of doubt from anyone in this room. Everyone believes him and his intentionswholeheartedly, and that makes me preen with pride for my man.

“So, your highness, am I on admin help with you or E.F. help with Tillman and the others?” I ask as I slide my hands around him, letting my admiration for him pulse through the bond.

“Actually, princess—”

“There you are, child, come, come. We have work to do and there’s someone I’d like for you to meet,” Gaster calls out as he bustles through the crowd of people, dragging Oakly behind him. By Corentin’s eye roll, I know whatever he was about to tell me will be told by Gaster.

“I’ll see you all later then.” I chuckle and make my way to each of them for a quick kiss before Gaster drags me off.

“Do you know what we’re doing?” I ask Oakly as we practically jog to keep up with Gaster.

“No, he hasn’t told me yet. And he refused me food until we get to wherever it is he’s taking us.”

“You may eat when we get to the west side of the academy. It’s quite the walk, and we are…oh my, we’re already late. Come on, girls,” he orders frantically before deciding we’ll just transport.

With no warning, he latches onto the two of us and whisks us through the darkness, then pops us back out at the other side of the academy grounds in seconds. It’s about a mile stretch from one end to the next of the warded area, so I understand the point of transporting, but damn, a warning would’ve been nice.

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