out now.
“What are we going to do now?” I shouted, throwing my hands up in the air.
We were in way over our heads now. It was one thing to go sneaking out at night, but to be responsible for the fate of the entire Academy. That was asking way too much. I wasn’t ready for this-- none of us were.
I expected Ace to be as afraid as I was, but instead, he projected an air of confidence that had me doing a double take.
“Are we ready for this?” Lisa asked.
“Of course, we are!” Ace said, a wide grin forming over his lips. “This is what we were all born for. We are Supernaturals, born with powers and abilities to be used for good. Stopping a group of Trackers who want to destroy who we are is the right thing to do. I just know the rest of the Academy will be on our side,” Ace said.
I reached up and threw my arms around his neck, pulling him into me as I hugged him fiercely. Ace looked startled at first, then he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to his chest. “With you by my side, I can do anything,” he whispered into my ear. Goosebumps formed on my arms and my heart danced around in happiness. I felt the same way.
“Well, I guess that stops the guessing of whether Ace and Brie are together or not,” Lisa teased.
Jade and Brady nodded in agreement.
Ace and I ignored her comments and the rolling eyes of the others as we stood for a brief moment in one another’s arms. Time stood still and it was just the two of us. Because we both knew, in the next few hours, our next decisions could end us or be a new adventure for us all.
***
Electra announced an hour later that the school needed to assemble at once. All I could think about was how close we were to having the Tracker’s attack again.
Electra had sent a message for everyone to gather in the dining hall. We all stumbled inside, everyone looking around and talking in hushed voices.
As we all sat, prepared to listen to her and then have Ace address the Academy, silence filled the air.
Electra’s silver heels clicked along the marble floor as she made her way to the front of the room. A pin dropping could have been heard.
“Attention students and professors. As you all know, a Tracker had struck at our Academy twice. Once, killing one of our very own and now, killing a human-- threatening to jeopardize our Academy and the lives of all Supernaturals. It is time that we stand up and fight, and stop hiding from the Trackers“ she paused and nodded over toward Ace. “To speak on behalf of our leadership, I am allowing Ace to address the Academy,” she finished, taking a step back.
A few murmurs were heard as people were confused about what was happening. Only Lisa, Jade, Brady, and I knew exactly what was happening. I offered Ace one more squeeze of my hand, letting him know I was supporting him, before he stood and made his way to the front.
Heads turned as he walked, unsure of what Ace was going to do. I could hear their whispers of confusion and even some of the other professors looked puzzled as to what was going on.
Once he reached the front, Ace took a big breath and stood tall. “Everyone, I know you are all aware of the tragedy that has plagued the Woodsong Academy. I have witnessed firsthand the Trackers and there are more,” Ace paused, as everyone gasped in horror at the idea of more Trackers around the Academy. “Our ancestors created the Woodsong Academy to have a place where we could all learn how to use the magic that flows through us. They created this wonderful place so we can all grow and find a way to live among humans. This is our home and our world; we need to use our magic to stop the Trackers from killing any more innocent victims and from taking over a world we created,” Ace shouted, raising his fist in the air.
At first, everyone in the room sat silently, unsure of what it would look like for us to all get along, to become one, and to work as a team. Then, someone in the back of the room began clapping. I took that as my cue and I jumped to my feet, clapping my hands wildly as others joined in. Ace was in charge now and we were all going to support him.