When I arrived at Dowling's office, they showed me a short video that Noura sent to Marco. Noura was another member of Marco's team and she was brutally killed by the Burned Ones outside the border.
My face scrunched up as I saw blood everywhere on the screen. I was quick to look away, wanting to get that image out of my head, but I saw it in Marco's head too.
"These are more than 5." I sigh looking among the two teachers and Marco. And indeed there were more than 5 Burned Ones that killed Noura and were somewhere out there.
"Just give me the word and I'm going!" I state staring into Dowling's eyes. The headmistress's eyebrows furrowed. She looked at Silva and then back at me before letting her gaze fall to the floor.
She wanted to think about it. Some would say that it was my decision. But it seemed to be more Silva's than hers or mine. Not only because I was his student, but because he raised me.
Silva was the closest thing that I had to a father all these years. And I myself knew deep down that when I said that to Silva, I wasn't asking for permission as a student. But as his daughter.
Because if something happened and I had the same end as Noura and hundreds of other soldiers, Silva would be the one to mourn me the most.
"I can help, you know I can, and you know I will."
"I know you're a strong fairy, Gabrielle, but you're not ready for this. You have to recover first." Dowling replies shaking her head as an answer to me.
"Please, Mrs. Dowling. It won't be the first time I face one of those. I can do it myself, with fighting skills and magic." I say and Silva sighs sitting on the couch and bringing his hands to his face.
"Do you think she can do it?" Marco asks turning to Dowling. "Oh she will do it, no doubt. But at what cost?" Dowling states. "She is just a kid." Silva shoots back.
"This conversation is messed up as fuck." I mutter under my breath as I lean against the wall. "You said you have killed one before. When did that happen?" Marco asks me.
"I killed one a few days back, when Silva got attacked." I simply reply.
"I can't let you go, Gabby." Silva says slowly raising from her seat. "I've told you millions of times, Silva. I can't sit back and watch people get hurt when I can do something about it. I won't let you get hurt." I reply shaking my head.
"You know too I can do it, or else I wouldn't be asked to be here!"
Dowling was quick to grab Silva's arm and lead her outside the office where they could talk alone. She was aware of Silva's thoughts since he had shared them with her.
Marco and I were sitting in silence as they were waiting for the pair to return. That was until I decided to break the silence.
"Were you close? With Noura?" I ask looking at him as I waited for an answer. "She was my best friend. We were together since training." Marco admitted softly, his voice breaking as he held back tears.
"Just do me a favor." He states whipping his tears quickly. "If they do let you go, promise me you'll kill these monsters." Marco says and I nod. "You have my word on that."
The door opens once again and Dowling and Silva walk in. I couldn't help but notice how both of them were in distress, and their thoughts were all one big mess, it was overwhelming. I already knew what the answer was as their thoughts were clear as day, but what they said caught me off guard.
The headmistress's voice cut through the heavy silence, her words firm and resolute. "We won't allow you to go, Gabrielle."
I rolled my eyes, already anticipating this answer. "I knew that already!" I snapped, my frustration bubbling over. It wasn't just the refusal that grated on me, but the idea that they still saw me as something fragile, something that needed protection.
