Page 110 of Magical Mission
The shimmer responded, but not violently. Rather, a soft ripple moved toward me as if it noticed me, too.
I swallowed hard and took one more step forward as a whisper brushed past my ear, but with only breath.
Then, I heard it in my bones.
It’s beginning.
I turned around, looking at the ceiling, the walls, the floors…any signs of cracks or entry points.
There were none, so I turned on my heel and rushed back toward the main hall, with my dad bounding beside me.
Every lantern was extinguished.
And the air?
It feltwatchfulbut not suffocating.
As if the Academy itself was unsure what had just brushed its skin.
I found Twobble mid-hall, eyes wide, clutching a lantern that refused to stay lit.
“I can’t find anyone,” he said. “The Wards aren’t responding.”
“They can’t,” I told him, chest tight. “Something’s pressing through from somewhere else.”
His expression twisted. “Shadowick?”
“Maybe.”
But I wasn’t sure anymore.
Because this wasn’t forceful.
It wassurgical.
The movements were delicate and precise as if someone were trying to fold a piece of paper to see if the corners matched.
“Where’s the orb?” Twobble asked.
“In my quarters.”
“Is it doing this?”
“No,” I said. “But I think itknewthis was coming.”
We looked at each other then, and I saw in his face the same thought blooming in mine.
Tomorrow’s field trip?
It might be the perfect opportunity to keep the students safe or the perfect trap to stop the Academy.
I reached for my dad, who pressed close to my leg.
The stillness shifted again, and I knew…
Thiswas only the beginning.
“Twobble,” I said, already heading toward the central staircase, “go get Ardetia. She’ll know how to read the shimmer.”
