The whole world seemed to fade away. All sounds were muffled in my ears and my vision was blurry.

Only one thing remained clear: We had to get to Lily Long and the older members of the society.

Should we follow the message and go straight to Kent Smith’s wife? But there was so much more at play than when he wrote this message. The Houses of Doom were in Atlantis, no doubt planning the second invasion of the island–of the Academy–in two years. We couldn’t let it go through. Even if we did, whatever Jensen’s plans were would then be free to go through.

I shivered. Cold. My shoulder was cold. I turned to the sensation only to be met with Birgit’s eyes.

“Relax, Alex,” she said. “I know I call you an idiot. And you are one. But you’re also smart. Smart enough to know what we can do to kick the ever loving shi-”

“I don’t know what to do.” I shook her off me. My eyes flicked between her, Sofia and Ivan. “We know nothing! Smith’s message would have helped if we had gotten to it in time but we didn’t. Half of the Society is apparently against us and the ones that aren’t are mostly taken up by the tournament! We can’t do anything!”

You’ve dug too deep of a hole for yourself, Moros. There is but one way out.

Paragon’s voice echoed in my head. Repeating the same sentence over and over and building up another headache. If I were being honest, it was quite the wake up call. I didn’t know what I needed to do. But I couldn’t despair either. I turned to Sofia.

“Can you stall Lady Doom?” I asked her.

“I-Maybe. Sofie knew her grandfather and her father. I can probably find something to talk about that’ll mess her up.”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Thanks. I know this isn’t easy for you.”

“At this point, I’m not helping you. I’m just making sure her past is as close to dead as possible.”

“Then I’m just glad we can help. Ivan?”

“Yes sir, big leader sir!” He saluted with a smirk back in his face. Needless to say, he was over the top. Still, I smiled when I saw it.

“Can you go with her? Try to get Ahmed and Maria with you as well.”

“Yes sir, big leader sir!”

“Birgit? We’re going to your parents.”

We all split up and went in two separate directions. A plan was forming in my head. It was a hail mary. The first time I fully comprehended what the meaning of that phrase was. We were walking as fast as we could through the hallways and staircases of the building.

Important parents–meaning heroes or rich ones apparently–were going to be on a special viewing box that was at the bottom of the arena.

“What are we doing here, kæreste?”

“Your parents didn’t just come to see you. They also came for Will. It doesn’t matter if he’s working with Jensen or Lady Doom. From there we go to Philip Knightley. He wants to prove himself as a dean. Don’t know if it’s ego, insecurity, or whatever else, but he’ll go for it. Trust me.”

Especially if Will was working with Jensen. I didn’t tell her, or anyone, but my whole plan hinged on that. Even in his worst days, Jensen wouldn’t have wanted a full war between the Houses of Doom and heroes.

I was stuck in a hospital, barely living, but he was always working with Charles to make sure balance and order were always in place. Or at least a facade that looked like balance and order.

We kept on going down the stairs when I realised Birgit was looking downcast. Crap. of course she did. We were talking about her brother. About to go head to head with him–although hopefully without any physical confrontation.

“Birgit,” I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re against your whole family here. It can’t be easy. I-I can go confront them alone.”

She placed her hand on mine, slowly removing it. Before I knew it, her arms had wrapped around my back. I did the same. It felt good. I just hoped she felt just a little better. I felt her shift against me, pulling away and backing up slightly.

“It sucks. Running away won’t change anything though.”

“Really insightful, Miss Hugaholic. You’re sure about it?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go and end this thing.”