Arcane Order's Adopted Son

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: TAKE A DIP

I couldn't tell Phoenix, Skrael, or Nari anything that happened. They might rat me out. Well, probably not. I just prayed that nothing bad would happen. They could be put at risk. That was the worst thing that could happen. But nobody would hurt Nari. Phoenix,maybe. Phoenix got yelled at a lot. First time she joined our side, everyone began screaming at her, but I had to explain that she was good now. Skrael would get murdered. I don't think any Guardian of Arcadia would try to negotiate with him—excluding Zoe, Skrael, and Archie.

The next day, Nari pleaded and pleaded that we go out to the lake again. I didn't want to go anywhere. Skrael didn't mind this time. Phoenix was less nervous. It was like the three of them had suddenly become buddies within the span of less than a day. Bellroc seemed delighted by the idea. Skrael and I walked side-by-side.

"She yelled at me the other day," Skrael muttered.

"Who?"

"Who do you think, Doux? Bellroc. She hates me now."

"Don't say that."

"But is it not obvious?"

"I mean..."

"You know it, too. And by the way, I had a question."

"Shoot."

"Do you remember that Maze room?"

"Of course, it was the most traumatic expierences of my life."

"Exactly, well, some of the creatures got loose."

"Uh..."

"I don't know how, but the door was left open, and a creature managed to leave the maze."

"Oh, gosh!" I said, face-palming myself.

" 'Oh gosh' is right! Remember when I said that they couldn't leave the maze? I was wrong. They can! And they will! They're after something. I think it's you. Let's hope it isn't. Bellroc would go nuts! And, I mean, so would I, I guess."

"Freeze the lake, Phoenix, freeze it!" Nari asked, running between the two of us.

Phoenix skated down the path. She speeded past us, blowing Skrael and my hair back. She leaped into the air and waved a hand sending a wave of ice blue magic towards the center before landing on the water and forming a huge snowflake pattern that spread out. The entire lake crackled and froze. Phoenix skated around with a smile on her face. She did several types of spins and jumps that would be worthy of a professional skater in the Olympics. It was then at that moment that I noticed that Skrael had actually combed his hair. Well, not exactly. It was slightly messy but had been combed around his face. This time, Skrael wore a cloak without the hood.

"Hey, you don't have your hood," Nari said before skating onto the ice.

"I didn't want to wear one," he replied, skating with Nari and Phoenix.

I turned to Bellroc who looked happy yet still sad.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing, just proud."

"No, really, what's wrong?"

"I don't know, it's just. I feel like Skrael hates me. Like actually hates me. He won't talk to me, won't call me by my nickname. It's just, I feel that we're drifting apart."

"Why don't you try to make it up to him?"

"I've tried."

"Have you?"

Bell paused. "Well, not really. Maybe you can teach me to make it up to him. Phoenix is owed an apology, too, I'm sure."

NARI POV: