The Academy For The Aces: BOOK 1 OF THE ACE SERIES

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

"Let's just go to your palace, Korren," Andrew sighed.

"What, already?! I'm sure Faith and Romeo would've been much obliged if I offered a tour," Korren frowned.

Faith would have loved a tour, however, she understood why Andrew was in such a rush.

"It's alright, Korren. Let's just get to the palace," Faith insisted, and Korren sighed.

"As you wish," he breathed out, and without warning, he snapped his fingers. Suddenly, they all stood in what seemed to be a conference room. Korren carelessly threw his weapon on the table and inwardly sighed as he took a seat.

"To get directly into Fallen Willows, we're going to need some help," Korren said.

Then Andrew's eyebrows furrowed, and he asked, "Don't you have the key for every part of the forest?"

Korren shook his head and said, "Unfortunately, that specific key was given to Maria, The Lady of the Nymphs."

Andrew groaned, "Oh no, Korren. Don't tell me she's here."

Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind them; "I am." Everyone turned around, and there stood a beautiful girl. She had long golden waves and piercing blue eyes, and she wore a long lilac dress with long sleeves and a dangerously high slit.

Maria then said, "Well, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends, my dear fiance?"

Romeo and Faith then shouted in unison, "Fiance?!"

Andrew corrected, "Ex-fiancee. And that engagement was void. I did not agree to it; my grandfather arranged it."

Maria rolled her eyes.

Andrew continued, "Romeo, Faith, this is Maria Vivienne. Lady of the Nymphs. And we are going to need that key to the Fallen Willows."

Maria then said, "I'll give it to you, for a price."

Andrew's tone was firm as he responded, "What is it, Maria?"

Maria twirled her fingers, and the key magically appeared as she responded, "I'll tell you when you get back."

Andrew looked at her hesitantly and took the key, "Fine."

Faith couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy about Maria and Andrew's previous relationship. Suddenly, the voice in her head returned, "Get out of there now."

Faith's eyes widened, and she urgently told Andrew, "We need to leave now."

Andrew asked, "What's wrong?"

Faith replied, "Trust me." From the corner of her eye, she noticed that Korren and Maria exchanged a dangerous glance.

Faith then shouted, "Now, Andrew!"

Andrew held the key and whispered a simple word. In an instant, they were standing amid a dark and eerie forest. The air was heavy with unsettling energy, and the surroundings seemed to shift and twist, casting eerie shadows all around.

The sudden shift from the conference room to the dark forest left them all disoriented. The air was thick with an unsettling aura, and the ground seemed to emit an eerie hum. Andrew's grip on the key tightened his expression a mix of determination and caution.

"What just happened?" Romeo exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.

"We left just in time," Faith replied, her voice urgent. "There's something off about them, especially Maria."

Andrew nodded in agreement, his instincts telling him that they had narrowly escaped a potentially dangerous situation. "We need to stay focused and find Merlin," he said, his gaze scanning the gloomy surroundings.