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CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
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Mortal CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
We run through the woods as fast as I can manage. I’m definitely slowing Alec down with my aching ribs and pounding head, but he doesn’t argue. As we get closer, the noises become louder. Screams. Shouts. An explosion. My heart climbs into my throat, and I try not to think about what we’re about to find. “Wait.” At the edge of the trees, Alec throws a hand over my chest and we grind to a halt. My breath catches, and I peer over his shoulder. There’s a hole blown into one of Hawthorn’s front walls. At the entrance to the bridge, the air shimmers green and purple. “They broke the boundary,” he whispers. My mouth is dry. “That’s…”“It’s a magical boundary.” He shakes his head. “It’s so strong, though. This doesn’t make sense. “He turns to me. “You need to get out of here. Hide.”“No.” I grab his wrist. “Absolutely not.”A muscle in his jaw flexes. “That wasn’t a question, Winter. You’re beat up right now, and you don’t know how to use your abilities well enough to–”“I
Mortal CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
“No!” I scream. The flames around me are burning my skin, but I don’t care. “No!”There’s nothing I can do. I can’t escape from this. I can’t help Alec. Do nothing, a tiny voice whispers to me. Close your eyes. And so I do.I close my eyes and picture the flames rippling away from my body. I picture the grass springing up where it’s been burnt away. I picture the dirt underneath the grass, and the rocks underneath the trees.I feel the fire recede, its oppressive heat disappearing.I open my eyes, and the fire is completely gone.But how did I do that?There’s no time to wonder. The Hunter who hurt Alec turns to me and raises his sword. His eyes are cold and cruel. I raise my hand, and my dad’s bracelet glows white hot against my wrist.Ripping the bracelet off, I throw it, and, almost as if it were sentient and with a mission, it wraps around the Hunter’s hand. He yanks at it and curses, but it holds.The Hunter stumbles, and then he’s on the ground, his sword lying out of
Mortal CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
I run as fast as I can, wishing I could be as swift as Brynn. Has she made it off campus?Is she even alive?The courage she displayed back in the courtyard blew me away. If something has happened to her…I shake the thought away. I can’t worry about her or anyone else right now. I need to focus on the task at hand. If Alec is right about this coin, then it’s exactly what we need. It’s the missing piece that can help us drive the Silver Hunters back. Assuming we even figure out how to work the thing. Ducking low, I weave through the brush. The sky is gray, the birds singing their morning songs. Smoke comes from the main building, flames licking through one of the windows, and my heart nearly stops. They’re burning the school. I haven’t been exactly partial to the place, but seeing it be destroyed reminds me that it’s my only home. The people in my life–the good and the bad ones–all live here. Fury bubbles up my chest. I want to run into the main building and take on
Mortal CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
The dull, throbbing pain in my shoulder makes itself known as I run through campus, dodging trees and ducking around buildings. I tell myself it’s nothing, that I just need to find a safe place to rest. Deep down, though, I suspect something else is going on. My power has limits, and I’ve just extended myself. My breath comes out in pants, and my feet pound the soft earth. The Hunters are somewhere on the little island, but for now I’ve lost them. They have no idea where I am, and they’re moving slowly. The battle was more than enough to wear them out, and with their fresh injuries they’re having trouble moving as quickly and efficiently as they normally would. Slowing down and giving them a run for their money isn’t an option. I’m drained, the bangs and bumps from all the scuffles over the last twelve hours wearing me down. I need to find somewhere safe to hide. I need to find a place to rest.My mind races, trying to find the safest option. But I don’t know Hawthorn that wel
Mortal CHAPTER ONE
“How much longer?” I turn to the pilot, not sure my headset is even working properly. The man and I haven't exchanged a single word since taking off an hour ago.“We’re there.” I blink at him. Look out the propeller plane’s window. Blink some more. He has to be kidding. Acres of pine trees stretch out below, a blanket of green reaching toward the horizon.“Where?” I don’t see any buildings. He points ahead, to where the trees open into a field; a thin runway stretched the length of it. I lean forward, looking for a building, but still there’s nothing. This is where I’m going to school? In the middle of nowhere Maine, with not one speck of civilization in sight?You have to be kidding me, Dad. Like always, thinking about him sends a wave of pain crashing through me. I close my eyes and try to keep the tears at bay, but they prick my eyelids, hot and blinding. According to my father’s will, I was to spend the last eight months of my high school career at a boarding schoo
Mortal CHAPTER TWO
The bridge groans as the horse steps onto it, and just like on the tiny propeller plane, I tense up. “Did your parents tell you why they sent you here?” Brynn asks. “Uh… No. My dad said in his will that I should come here.”Over Brynn’s shoulder, something moves in the woods. The oncoming night combined with the fog makes it hard to see, but there’s a glow and… Are those eyes? Glowing eyes?Suddenly, crossing this questionable bridge seems like a great idea considering the alternative. No sleeping in the woods and being mauled by wild animals for me, thank you very much. “He died?” Brynn’s face crumples. “I’m sorry.”“Thanks.”“I don’t know why I’m here.” She wraps her arms around herself. “This place is so not safe.”“Why do you say that?” The carriage is rocking as we cross the bridge, and one glance down at the frothing water below makes me wish I hadn’t looked. “It’s what everyone says.” She squeezes her sides tighter. “Anytime I hear anything about Hawthorn it’s abo
Mortal CHAPTER THREE
Please don’t let this be that bad. Standing outside of the classroom door, I open my eyes and gather all of my courage. It’s debatable whether anyone heard my prayer, but at least I tried. Someone bumps my shoulder, and I don’t even need to look to know it’s my roommate. She breezes into the classroom with two girls at her side, malicious giggles wafting behind them. Yep. This is already bad. “Excuse me? Are you coming in?” The teacher, a man with silver and blonde hair, stands in the doorway. “Yes.” My voice cracks. “Sorry.”There’s more laughter from inside the classroom. The teacher smiles. “You must be Winter. I’m Professor Vassily. Welcome to Hawthorn. There’s a seat right there in the middle for you.”“Th–thanks.” I walk to the desk, aware of the twenty or so pairs of eyes on me. As I sit down, I allow myself a quick glance around the classroom. No Brynn. Is she in another classroom somewhere, suffering through the same hell as I am?Professor Vassily assumes h
Mortal CHAPTER FOUR
The noise in the cafeteria softens as I enter the room, more eyes than I can count turning to drink me in. A boy nudges his friend, and the girl looks me up and down before whispering something behind her hand. Embarrassment floods me, but I tighten my grip on my backpack straps, stand up straight, and walk with what hopefully looks like confidence. The cafeteria is paneled in dark wood, small circular tables placed sporadically around the room, and a serving line at the far end. A quick sweep of the faces reveals Brynn isn’t anywhere to be found. My stomach plummets. Did she leave the school? Get kicked out before The Selection even started?I shake the thought away. Most likely she has a different lunch hour. Trying to ignore the gazes on me, I walk across the room, scouting a potential seat. Gregory isn’t anywhere to be found either, which means I’m out of luck when it comes to company. The serving line is full of the kind of good food not usually seen at a school cafeter
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