𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋
𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒂𝒔 : 𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒙 - 𝒂 𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕
It was safe to say that Circe was not happy about being pulled from bed.
Her digital clock had read 2:34 am when someone pulled the sheets from her. After ten minutes of groaning and throwing her pillow, Sky managed to convince Circe to get dressed and come downstairs. Stiffling a yawn, Circe rubbed her eyes as her brother dragged her across the hallways of Alfea towards the exterior.
It been autumn in an isolated English area, the cold breeze gripped her limbs, despite the coat wrapped around her arms. Exhaling through her lips, a small cloud of frost gathered near her, and Circe suddenly wished she was a fire fairy, to summon warmth for these cold nights.
As she approached the group, her feet instinctively carried Circe towards Riven. Feeling her shoulders brush against him, he glanced at her, the corner of his lips tugging upwards as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Immediate warmth made Circe heat up, a certain blush spreading through her cheeks.
Her eyes met Briar across from her, giving her a friendly nod.
"And six burned ones were spotted in the forest, attacking one of our units." Circe caught on to the end of Silva's sentence, straightening her posture as she frowned.
"I recognise the hollow path they were attacked on." one of the other Specialists added, whose name was the tip of Circe's tongue. Yet she couldn't remember for the life of her.
Riven scoffed, shaking his head as he pinched his nose. "Wait. Without fairies? We counted at least six Burned Ones. That's fucking stupid."
"Since when have you been a fan of the fairies?" Circe joked, a grin tainting her facial features. Yet Riven's shoulders remained tense.
Following the comment, a few snarls and screeches were heard. But instead of coming from the forest, it was coming from behind them. Circe slowly turned around, her skin prickling with goosebumps as she inhaled sharply.
"Shit. The Burned Ones are in the school."
Without time to ponder how such possibility came around, the group of Specialists darted towards the school. Sky and Briar were sent towards the dining hall, and Riven and Circe were meant to gather any lurking students.
As the two turned around a hallway flashlights in their hands, Circe sighed, running a frustrated hand through her smooth blonde hair. "Wish my powers weren't dormant. Wouldn't some light be really useful right now?"
When Riven remained silent, Circe glanced at him, confused frown sketched on her face. Hesitating, Riven grabbed her arm softly. "Look, my room isn't far from here. If you lock the doors, you'll be safe from the Burned Ones."
"What?" Circe scoffed, raising an eyebrow as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not going anywhere, especially not to hide. And you can't make me."
"I'll carry you over my shoulder if I have to."
Circe nudged him with her hand, shaking her head. "Orders are orders." she smiled softly, feeling the worry that radiated from Riven. "You don't have to worry about me, Riv. I always make my way back to you."
"What if something happens to you?" the strict anger had left his voice, as he rubbed his thumb across Circe's cheek. He'd walk through Hell and back, all for her.
Circe kissed him, before taking a step back, crossing through the door. She glanced back and saluted. "Even if I couldn't walk, I would crawl myself towards you. That's just what we do."
And with that, she disappeared.
Riven never really believed in gods or saints, but in that moment, he prayed that nothing or no one touched a hair on Circe's body.
Otherwise they would have to respond to him.
∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎ ∎
Circe made her way quickly through the school. She needed to make sure Sky was okay, along with her roommates. The dining hall was where everyone was being kept; safer and easier to watch after a group of people if they were all hidden in the same place. All she could hope was that Riven remained on guard too.
But she'd see him soon, she guaranteed it. Once he finished looking for stray students, Riven would return to the dining hall to her.
Letting out a shaky breath, Circe pushed some glass doors open. Against the bright light she squinted. Once her vision cleared, she raised an eyebrow at the sight of Echo and Stella alone together. "What are you doing here? It's dangerous, you guys have to be in the dining hall."
Echo and Stella glanced at each other, and it wasn't until then that Circe noticed their interlinked hands. Blinking in shock, she lifted her gaze to see the blush on Stella's cheeks and how Echo managed to avoid her gaze.
"Oh."
Jumping apart, Echo scratched the back of her neck. "Yeah, sorry. We'll head that way now."
"Echo, wait." Stella continued walking, leaving the two friends alone as Echo slightly hesitated, glancing around towards Circe. "I'm happy for you."
Echo smiled in relief, nodding. "Thanks."
Reaching the dining hall, the Burned Ones screeches had gotten louder. The main door was rattling as one of the creatures pushed against it. Blocks of wood were used to block the door, and some fairies were positioned nearby in case the wood gave away. Yet by the anxious looks on their faces, it was obvious that it wasn't enough.
Burned Ones were vicious. Circe wasn't surprised to see some pale horrified faces.
Circe approached the weapons artillery, glancing at the options left. Eyes darting around, she decided for the dagger, that she quickly hid in her boot, and a katana. Swinging it around to test its weight, Circe found that it moved swiftly. Just in case.
Briar glanced at her surprised as Circe took her place near the front, awaiting for the door to buckle against the Burned Ones strength. "What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like? I'm here to fight. I am a Specialist, remember?"
Briar grinned amused, running a hand through her golden brown locks. "Just remember that if you die, my ghost will raise your ghost and annoy the hell out of you for eternity."
"Then I will hire Sky's ghost to beat your ghost up."
Sky, who stood nearby, glanced at the two with a raised eyebrow. "My ghost would never associate with yours."
Circe responded with her tongue stuck out towards her brother, but before anyone could reply, the screech suddenly got louder. The trio snapped towards the door, but it stopped rattling. Confused, Circe slightly relaxed, awaiting for the Burned One to suddenly burst through it. But it never came; the monsters appeared to have decided to collectively move away.
"Is that it?"
Sky shrugged at Briar's question, and mutterings were heard around them. It seemed everyone was confused at the sudden disappearance of the Burned Ones. Circe didn't allow herself to celebrate just yet, and instead her eyes darted around the room, looking for a certain figure.
"Shit. Where's Riven?"
so sorry for taking so long to update omg but there's only one or two chapters left
also SHADOW AND BONE OMFG OBSESSED
got a new Kaz Brekker fanfic because WHY THE FUCK NOT