Alpha Academy: Misfit's Rise

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Flame

I didn't think as I ran, or I'd probably have realized how insane this was and how likely it was to end in my untimely demise. I just kept running. I was out of breath by the time I reached the bottom, the air sliding painfully up and down my raw throat. I took a minute to breathe. Apparently, it was a minute too long, because someone else came waltzing around the corner. It wasn't Sedna, or Saranya, or any of them. No, trust my luck, it was Artemis.

For a moment, we just stood there staring, and then Artemis' lips cracked up into a smile.

"Are you lost, Rusty?"

"Have you seen Sedna?" I said through gritted teeth. Ignoring Sedna was one thing, but Artemis was something else.

"No." Her brows crinkled. My question had been enough to throw off whatever taunt she'd been planning next. "Why?"

I could almost laugh. Of all the people to find me now, it had to be Artemis. All things considered though, I might have told her the truth, if I could.

"No reason." I tried to slip around her, but she grabbed my wrist in a death grip.

"I think there is."

I tried to tug my wrist out of her grip, but to no avail. "Let me go," I snarled, tugging harder, but that only made her grip tighten.

"Not until you tell me," she hissed.

"You don't understand, they're going to—" It was like all the air had been sucked out of my body, not even leaving enough for me to gasp. My hands flew to my throat as it slowly dried out. And just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, it all came rushing back, harsh and icy as it ripped its way down my tender throat. I gasped and gagged then, which only inflamed my throat more.

"What the—" Artemis knelt next to me, momentarily forgetting how much she despised me. "What the lands happened to you, Rusty?"

It took a moment before I could speak again, and even then, there were tears streaming down my face. "I'm not the one who's in danger."

Artemis' eyes slowly narrowed. "Who then?"

I breathed in another painful, rattily gasp, and shook my head.

"Lucian?" Artemis asked.

I shook my head, and then choked as my ability to breathe was momentarily removed again.

"Gods," Artemis said. I wasn't sure if it was pity or disgust in her voice. "Look, just smack the ground once if I'm wrong, twice if I'm right."

I glared at her through burning tears, but it wasn't like I had a better idea.

"One of your Faerie friends."

Smack.

I cringed—as did she— but nothing happened. We both laughed weakly. The only problem was, she was out of guesses, and I didn't dare give her a hint.

After a moment, she stared down the hallway, the one that led to the labs, and then her eyes widened. "Sedna?"

I smacked the ground twice.

Artemis breathed out, but then asked. "What's going to happen to her?"

I gave her another glare.

"Fine," she flicked her hair in annoyance, like she had anything to be annoyed about. "Who's going to happen to her? Gwen?"

Smack.

"Saranya?"

I smacked once, but just before I hit the ground again I stopped, hoping she'd catch the subtle hint.