Page 55 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

“Do our powers even work in space?” Fannar asked.

“Of course, they do,” the headmaster replied. “Your powers come from within, regardless of your environment.”

“But what if Obsidia comes after you?” I asked.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve placed a shield around the building so only the four of you can come in and out and created a bubble of artificial gravity around it. In case of this very situation, I also imbued stones granting thirty minutes of artificial gravity and cosmic protection for survival in space.” The headmaster nodded toward her desk. “They’re in the top drawer. You must defeat Obsidia before their power wanes”—her gaze dropped to her shaking hands— “or before mine does.”

As Brontes moved to fetch the stones, I watched in horror as a crimson droplet trailed from the headmaster’s nose. The evidence of her own failing strength made my heart clench with fear.

What will we do if we can’t defeat her in time?

“Um . . .” Gwyneira interjected. “Shouldn’t we contact Aria and the other kingdoms that offered their assistance?”

“There’s no time,” Headmaster Moira explained. “It’s not possible for me to teleport anyone else here and protect the academy at the same time. You’ll have to face Obsidia on your own.”

“We won’t let you down,” Fannar declared staunchly.

Headmaster Moira smiled faintly at his words. “Please be safe, all of you. I wish I could offer more aid.”

Brontes distributed the stones, smooth black ovoids that glimmered mysteriously. They looked just like the stone the headmaster had used to look into my memories.

Since Brontes and Gwyneira had never seen an enchanted stone before, I explained, “Press the swirl in the center to activate it.”

They both nodded, examining their stone closely. I rubbed my thumb over the carved spiral on mine, feeling the hum of magic.

“Are we ready?” Fannar asked solemnly.

“Do we all remember the plan?” Brontes added with an edge of urgency.

My breath hitched as panic coursed through me. Every muscle in my body tensed up, and my stomach clenched so tightly that it threatened to heave.

Brontes had outlined the plan only once, and the complex details blurred into a jumbled mess in my mind.

“Yes,” Fannar stated with steady confidence.

Gwyneira shot me a sidelong glance, wringing her hands nervously. “I think so.”

Uh . . . I literally only summoned ice once a few minutes ago! How can I possibly be ready for a cosmic battle?

I had no idea if I could remember the plan, but I nodded hesitantly anyway. It was do or die, so there was no point in voicing my doubts now.

“Then let’s go!” Brontes said.

He led the charge toward the main doors, the rest of us on his heels. As he flung them open, a violent vacuum threatened to suck us into oblivion. We instantly activated the space stones, nullifying the deadly pull.

Brontes took the first cautious step outside. A glowing violet disk materialized under his foot—Headmaster Moira’s magic creating translucent “stepping stones” in the void.

He turned back to us. “It’s working!”

I trailed after him, mesmerized by the violet stepping stones materializing beneath my feet. Behind me, Fannar and Gwyneira quietly followed suit.

The void of space stretched out around us, a vast expanse of frozen stillness. Stars twinkled in the distance like tiny pinpricks in the fabric of the universe, their light barely reaching us. My heart raced in anticipation of what was to come, the impending showdown with Obsidia. The moment felt heavy with suspense, as if the universe waited for somebody to make the first move.

“Let’s move!” Brontes urged. “Thirty minutes until the stones expire.”

We broke into a sprint toward the Cosmic Enchanted.

Obsidia noticed our approach, alarm flashing across her beautiful face. We’d caught her off guard.

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