Page 105 of A Bond So Deadly

The silence stretches, and it’s Satine who speaks up first. “When will the shadow army get here?”

Knox is the one to answer. “They won’t.”

“You mean Queen Krosia has abandoned us?” Another girl asks, fear finally touching her features.

Thane clenches his jaw. “We will face the Xalgrith without the shadow army, yes.”

At that, the room erupts into chatter and panicked whispers, like the tension has finally snapped.

“But we can’t fight the Xalgrith on our own,” another student blurts. “And why now? Why are the Xalgrith coming here?”

Guilt twists in my gut, and I open my mouth to explain the truth, but Thane speaks before I can. “All that matters is that we must prepare for battle,” he repeats. “So enjoy your evening meal, because after that the preparations begin.”

“But what about the demon army?” Kenzie questions, giving me an imploring look.

This time, Thane doesn’t answer for me, and I try to look brave. “Queen Blake will come,” I say confidently. “We’re not alone in this.”

“How do you know?” a student with curly red hair asks.

Truthfully, I have no idea when Blake will get here, I just trust that she will. My girl never lets me down. “I just…do. Okay?” It’s a terrible answer, but I don’t know what else to tell them.

The red-haired student looks like she wants to ask more, but the double doors open again, and my brows lift in surprise as Professor Lankin strides into the room. She doesn’t look shocked to see me on the dais, and she simply stands behind one of the chairs on the end beside Galen, her fox animali sitting behind her.

“Professor,” Galen says politely.

Professor Lankin dips her head at him in acknowledgment, but she doesn’t say anything.

The red-haired student no longer looks like she wants to ask any more questions, so Thane leads us in reciting the prophecy.

“Where the black sky weeps and shadows reign

A darkness stirs, born of pain

They must rise, shadowed blades

Take the oath, decide our fates

Where the land bleeds, and the skies fall

Forests of ash, before the final call

Stand as one, our forgotten, lost warriors

For without you…

There will be no times at all.”

When the chanting finishes, we all sit as shadows gather on our tables, and in seconds, platters of food appear around the room. The students sit silently, and my stomach grumbles. How long has it been since I last ate? It feels like it’s been forever.

I’m about to grab a bread roll, but then I realize the students are waiting patiently as they watch us. Right. Because they always wait for the professors to eat first. I scowl because I’ve never liked that rule.

Raith goes to spear a hunk of meat with his fork, but before he does, I blurt out across the dining hall, “Eat! Please.”

Silence follows my words, and when no one moves I frown.

“Aren’t they hungry?” I murmur to my mates.

Raith grins, spearing the meat and shoving it into his mouth. “That’s not how this works, sunshine.”