cascade | kotlc

9. As the Opera Breaks

"Get ready," Dex said when Dame Alina thanked the audience.

June smirked. "It won't matter. None of you'll get anything, and it'll all belong to me." She laughed maniacally like a Disney supervillain.

A bell chimed and Dame Alina dipped an exaggerated curty, and everyone leaned back and opened their mouths to catch the white confetti that started raining over the auditorium. June closed her eyes.

She flicked a finger upward, and the confetti falling on the Level Threes was blasted upwards, before they coalesced into a blizzard-like flurry. The vortex column focused downwards and the confetti shot downwards into a clear pounch June had brought with her. She zipped the pouch tight. Everyone was stunned silent for a moment, but Stina shook out of her stupor and screamed

"Get her!"

Their group dissolved into chaos as everyone pounced on June, and, being honest, it was the most fun Sophie had had in years.

--- June POV ---

"What happened?" June asked as she scrambled over to Biana as she opened the gleaming gates. "Is it bad? Will he be okay?" June was more panicked than ever. She dashed into Everglen and rushed to Alden's door, through the arches and into a tower. She knocked hastily and Elwin pulled them open, letting June into the room. She rushed over and forced herself to look at Alden.

"How is he?" she asked, relieved when she noticed his chest moving. Sophie caught up behind her and put an arm on her shoulder, panting heavily. Her eyes seemed disfocused.

Elwin brushed his hair back in frustration. "I have no idea. His wound healed perfectly. His cells are clean, no signs of any toxins, I've checked his nerves, veins, and muscles, there's no injury, and Bullhorn agrees. But I'm clearly missing something."

June racked her brain for anything that could explain what was happening. A memory throbbed at a corner of her mind, but she couldn't focus on or access it. She covered her face with her hands and began to cry.

Sophie gently touched his hand. Suddenly Alden's eyes ripped open and he screamed and clutched his head.

"Sedative ran out," June mumbled. "Wait, oh, wait- oh no-"

"Same thing happens every time," Elwin said. He rummaged through his brown satchel and pulled out vials in every shape and color.

June rushed outside. Fitz was standing across from her, and she almost didn't recognize him with his messy hair and red puffy eyes. She squatted down next to him and held his arms. "Fitz, I just had a thought- but it can't, no-"

Even in his broken state, he turned and took her hand. "What's wrong, June? Do you know what- what's happening?"

June ran her hands through her hair. "If it's what I think it is, it's really bad, we need Sophie-"

More screams echoed in the room as Sophie burst out and leaned her forehead against her knees. "It's horrible," she breathed. "And it's because of me."

Fitz ran to her. "What happened, Sophie? What- What happened!"

"It's classified, it's classified, it's classified," Sophie whispered, her eyes jumping around chaotically.

June breathed shakily. "Sophie, what did you do with Alden?" A thought flashed across her mind. "You didn't- oh, god-"

"Sophie, you really have to tell us," Alvar said as he stepped out of thin air. "We need to know what happened in Exile. Please."

Fitz glared at this older brother. "Mom said you weren't coming."

"No, Mom told me I didn't need to come, because she's trying to pretend this isn't a big deal. But we all know it is. So if there's something you know that might help," he added, turning back to Sophie, "Please, tell us what it is."