Page 38 of Shadow Scorching

“Thank you, Mandy. We’re relocating her to a safer area, so we’ll return to her coverage in a few moments. Meanwhile, here’s what we know. At ten-forty this morning, an explosion rocked the administration building of Gul du Ger Magical Academy. A large section of the roof was blown out, as Halfyr began filling the hallways. Rescuers are working to clear the building, as well as the rest of the campus. Halfyr, for those unfamiliar with the term, is?—”

I gasped.Halfyr?

“Mother fucking hell,” I whispered. Halfyr referred to any fire with magical origins that couldn’t be extinguished by normal means. It usually had a toxic base of chemicals and herbs used in its creation. The smoke from Halfyr could poison the lungs, causing lasting damage or even death. Witches seldom used Halfyr except in desperate circumstances.

I returned my attention to the television.

“Authorities confirm that anyone near the smoke who has trouble breathing should immediately call 9-1-1 for help. Halfyr can be deadly.” She paused, listening to her earpiece, then said, “I’ve been notified that there have been at least thirty-five injuries. There is no word on whether any fatalities have been reported. Now, we return you to Mandy Smythe.”

The reporter, now properly masked, reappeared on the screen. She was no longer standing in front of the gate, but now she was in a parking lot. In the background, we could see the gates of the school, and even more smoke was billowing out of the building behind the gate.

“Thank you, Jera. I’ve been asked to move away from the gate so that firefighters and rescue workers won’t have any impediments to doing their job. As you can see, I’m wearing a mask to protect my lungs, now. I have Cannon Arden with me, the principal of Gul de Ger. Principal Arden, if you would join me?”

A tall black man stepped into the scene, looking shaken. He appeared relatively young, but given he was a witch, that meant he could easily be in his sixties or seventies.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice shaking.

“Principal Arden, do you know what happened?”

“Unfortunately not,” he said. “I was in my office when a loud explosion shook the walls. I hurried into the hall to find out what was happening, but before I could reach the door, the fire had broken out. I told my staff to leave by the fire entrance in the administrative office, and then, I called 9-1-1 as I made sure they were all out.”

“Did everyone make it out?” Mandy asked.

He looked overwhelmed. “I’m not sure. I couldn’t find two of my clerks, and I searched for them, but they weren’t in the bathrooms or the breakroom. I couldn’t go into the hall—the fire was out of control by then—so I finally had to leave. WhatI don’t understand is why the sprinkler system didn’t come on line and start spraying the fire when the explosion first happened. It’s set up to battle Halfyr.”

At that moment, Dante appeared, a towel around his waist. “What are you watching?” he asked.

“There was an explosion at Gul du Ger a few minutes ago,” I said, shaking my head.

“The magical academy?” he asked, immediately joining me on the sofa. “Crap. That’s not too far from here.”

“See the faint black mist outside? It’s hard to see among the snow flakes but…”

He squinted, staring at the windows. “Faintly.”

“Halfyr. Somebody used Halfyr at the school.”

“Crap! That’s fucking nuts,” Dante said, jumping up so fast that his towel stayed on the sofa.

“Your bits are showing,” I said, pointing at his crotch. I had to admit, Dante was well-endowed, though I’d never been tempted to find out what his skillset in bed was.

“Oops,” he said, grabbing his towel. “Do they know who did it, or why?

“I don’t think so. They haven’t announced it, if they do.” I paused then added, “Okay, call me a conspiracy theorist, but first Letty Hargrove died at the Windchime Magical Academy—went right through the window in her office. We know what killed her. Now, someone set off an explosion at Gul du Ger Magical Academy? Could it be Brim Fire?”

“It could be, especially considering their agenda.” Dante headed toward his bedroom. “I’ll get dressed. Meanwhile, why don’t put in a call to Philip Groveletter and ask him if there have been any more incidents over there?”

“Good idea,” I said, pulling out my phone.

Philip Groveletter was the principal of Windchime Magical Academy and we had met when I went over to search LettyHargrove’s office. We’d gotten along, and I had his private cell number in my contacts. I punched it, waiting.

He answered immediately. “Hey, Kyann. What’s up?”

“Are you watching the news right now?” I asked. “Have you seen what’s going on at Gul du Ger?”

“No,” he said. “Let me pull up a news site.”

I waited for a moment, until he let out a curse. “Yeah, I assume you’re seeing it now?”

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