Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Forty-Nine

A bubble of silence engulfed the room.

As strong as my burst of energy made me, I felt weak as my senses put the pieces into a whole, and I was overwhelmed.

Luna opened her mouth, then shut it, and Mr. Corbin glared at me until it was obvious I wouldn't be intimidated by his tactics. Minutes passed. Everyone looked between each other, Luna anxious, Mr. Corbin angry, and I was... I didn't know which emotion was more heightened.

Anger.

Betrayal.

Surprise.

"Well?" I finally asked, shifting my weight as I gestured between them and the door. "Obviously you aren't leaving."

Mr. Corbin stepped towards me and Luna put her hand on his chest, shaking her head. "Stop."

"We need to shut her up," he growled. "She is why I didn't have magic left."

I snorted, turning my head to raise an eyebrow at Luna. "So, I'm to blame?" I laughed. "Seriously?"

Luna once again stopped Mr. Corbin from advancing. "No matter what you do, it won't matter."

"But she—"

"—was strong enough to take your magic away," Luna finished for Mr. Corbin. "Trust me, okay? You won't win against Nora."

"She's accident prone," Mr. Corbin growled.

"We will not hurt her."

"But we could take her abilities and short-term memory."

I stepped forward and glared at Mr. Corbin. The light above his head sparked, then flickered. "I would really like to see you try." I looked at Luna as I pulled my phone from my pocket. "Or you can just answer my questions."

"What do you want to know?" Luna's shoulders slumped.

"No!" Mr. Corbin stomped his foot. "If you tell her, she'll take it to Devland or worse. She'll do what she thinks is right!"

"It's already too late," Luna said and sighed. Her eyes lifted from the floor to look at me.

"So you don't deny it?"

Luna hesitated, then shook her head as she exhaled. "No."

"You stole abilities?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"How?" With her confession, much of my energy faded, nearly to the point that Mr. Corbin may be able to flee. I glanced between them, ignoring the fact that Mr. Corbin appeared ready for the top of his head to pop off.

"You know how," Mr. Corbin said, and I continued watching Luna.

"How did you take Aaron's abilities and split them? I understand how I couldn't sense them now—they weren't being used by one person, and I was searching for it whole. You both have them. The magic bounces between you."

Luna started walking to me. "You have to understand. I've never—"

"Stop. Moving." I grit my teeth and stepped back, briefly glancing at the floor to avoid stepping on coffee and glass. "I will restrain you."

"Nora..."

"I don't even want to look at you. The only reason I am still here is because I need the truth to help Aaron and the others, so coming closer is non-optional."

Luna stopped and looked at the floor. "You have to understand. I've never had any powers."

"That isn't an excuse to take them from others. From children." I narrowed my eyes on Mr. Corbin. "How could you? You are a high school principal—you are supposed to advocate for kids, not cause them harm. No wonder Duvessa didn't know any better. I don't even blame her anymore—"