Page 15 of Cleansed By Water (The Nature Hunters Academy 3)

“Because you won’t,” Zuri replied. “We’ve been approached by someone in need of … aid.

“Okay, are you going to tell us, or are you going to make us guess?” asked Kairi.

Zuri gave a mirthless laugh. “I could give you a million guesses, and you’d never get it.”

“Forgive me if I do not share in your obvious amusement,” Nasima replied dryly.

Jax placed a hand on Zuri’s shoulder. “She means no disrespect,” he said. “She is still in shock over the absurdity of the request that was laid before us yesterday evening.”

“He is right,” Zuri agreed. “I apologize. I realize you are already dealing with a lot, and this is definitely not something you need added to your plates. But it is unavoidable.”

“Please, tell us,” Aviur said, his eyes filled with flames and his body tense.

“Osiris came to Terra Academy last night,” Jax said. His eyes darted to Terrick. “I did not alert you at the time because he came in peace. It was clear he was not a threat, and he only came to request an audience with the royals. Zuri and I felt like you and Iterra deserved a night of rest, or at least one where nothing was added to the list of problems we already have.”

Terrick didn’t appear angry, but his words were clipped as he responded. “While I appreciate that, in the future when someone as dangerous as the lord of the underworld enters our grounds, I expect to be notified immediately.”

Jax bowed his head. “Of course. I apologize.”

“He requested a meeting with us?” Kairi asked.

Jax nodded. “It seems he has a dilemma that requires your assistance.”

“Why on earth would Osiris need our help?” Nasima asked. Her eyes were wide, and she’d dropped her arms, her hands opening and closing at her sides.

“Apparently, he has an out of control demon,” Zuri answered.

“The inhabitants of his realm are under his power. I don’t see why he would require our aid,” Marcus, the Hydro Academy headmaster asked.

Jax glanced around the room for the first time since he’d made his announcement. Every single headmaster and headmistress had the same look on their faces. Suspicion filled their eyes, and their lips were drawn tight across their faces. A couple of them were even shaking their heads as if there was no way they’d believe that the lord of the underworld would come to them for help.

“He didn’t explain any more than that,” Jax answered. “He said he would be back in two days' time. I expect that means he will show up tomorrow at dusk. He didn’t specify where, but I assume he meant at the same location as yesterday.”

“Which was where, exactly?” Terrick asked.

“At the base of the mountain, about fifty yards from the front doors. He didn’t appear to be able to see past the wards,” said Jax.

“He also made it clear he would not be happy if he showed up and there were no royals waiting for him,” Zuri added.

“I don’t respond well to threats,” growled Nasima. The swirling of air around her seemed to intensify.

Aviur sighed. “Peace, Nasima. The last thing we need is to add a battle with the lord of the underworld to our already busy schedule. I think it would be in our best interest to give him an audience.”

“I concur,” Kairi said.

“Fine,” Nasima said.

“I’ll post warriors in the forest in case Osiris tries anything,” Terrick said.

Nasima shook her head. “That won’t be necessary, Headmaster. We can direct the elementals surrounding Terra Academy to be on alert.”

“Is that all?” Aviur asked Jax.

“I believe that is enough,” he said.

The fire king nodded. “I will have to agree with that assessment.”

Jax glanced at Zuri. Her face was grim, and she seemed to have gotten over the humor she’d found from Osiris’s need for assistance. After seeing the reaction from the royals—the tired looks in their eyes, and the resolve that they had no other choice than to add yet another burden to their responsibilities—he couldn’t find the humor in the situation either.

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