Page 157 of Centaur Bolt

“Bree has them gathered for you,” he said, his voice just starting to deepen to his adult rumble. “The teachers are taking their break.” He tilted his head.

My gut twisted, but Isobel merely nodded.

He and the others led the way out into the hall. Their hooves clopped against the cobblestone floors. Our feet were almost silent.

They took us to a room not too far from where Isobel had built the gate. The young Centaur’s inquisitive gazes watched us as we entered. They ranged in age from pre-adolescent to first year.

Bree had been reading to them. She smiled at Isobel.

“Hello, children,” the Sorceress’s expression was so open and friendly that she was unrecognizable. “We have an adventure for you.” She grabbed hold of my talent to feed it to them.

“Come with us,” she crooned.

My power wrapped around them, pushed at them. The few frowns that formed quickly smoothed away. Eyes aglow, the young Centaurs stood on gangly legs and followed us back into the hall.

For the entire length of it, I wished with all my heart that someone would hear us and come to see what was going on. However, when someone did…

The Centaurina was beautiful, with a dappled gray hide and deep red hair. She skidded around the corner.

For just a millisecond, Isobel’s hold on me slipped. My throat unlocked. “Get help!” I rasped at the Centaurina.

Did she not hear me?

She drew herself up tall. “What is going on here?” she demanded, her gaze sliding to Bree and Vic. Then to the Bellatis. Finally, to Isobel and the coven. Her eyes narrowed.

Which was when two of the Bellatis lifted their dart guns, and shot her at point-blank range. She reared, but what was in the darts was potent. Her legs buckled beneath her, dropping her to the floor.

Just as another form ran around the corner—and my heart froze.

Marcus.

His eyes blazed white, and the ground shook as lightning danced outside the windows. He bent, his arms folding around his mother’s torso, trying to lift her.

Several of the children tried to bolt.

“Get them out of here!” shouted Vic.

Isobel froze when she saw Marcus, but what held the Centaurina’s limp form was no longer human. Black scales chased along his arms, and his face lengthened.

When lightning struck the nearest window, shattering it, Isobel cursed and grabbed hold of me again. My power forced the now-terrified children down the hall and to the gate. Galloping hoofbeats rang from the depths of the school. We had seconds, no more.

I tried to fight my way free. If I could just delay them…

The bloodmagic rose from Isobel and the coven, and blasted through my resistance, seizing control. The children stood no chance against my fully unleashed power. Isobel forced them through the gate to those waiting on the other side.

The last two huddled together—with their reddish hair and freckled faces, they were similar enough to be twins. Something reinforced by the intricate metal necklets they both wore.

The boy straightened and faced up to Isobel. “Where are you taking us?” he demanded.

She didn’t answer, just fed him another burst of power. Like a puppet, his legs moved him toward the gate.

“No!” he said, fighting back. The Bellatis jumped on him and took him through.

“Leave my brother alone!” the girl squealed, lunging toward Isobel.

Two of the Bellatis grabbed her around the shoulders and hauled her toward the glowing archway. She struggled wildly, and with a snap, her necklet went flying. It clanged as it hit the ground.

Then she, too, was dragged through the gate.

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