Chapter 10: Kyler

"Enough, Kyler," Cassandra said calmly. She pulled me away into an adjoining room. "Calm down." A dozen people were staring at us. If the campus had actual security, they would have dragged me away. If the campus had actual security none of the day's events would have happened.

"I'm sorry," I said to Cassandra. "I lost it for a minute." I watched students and nurses stare and point, and I regretted my actions, knowing a fight would get me tossed from the academy. If Headmaster Eliphas found out, I was good as gone.

"What the fuck is going on?" Oliver asked me. Cassandra and I looked at him. We still weren't used to him swearing.

"Long story," I said. I never told Dash or Oliver what happened with Kate because I wasn't comfortable letting others know my feelings. The more people knew about you the more they could hurt you. I hated being hurt.

Where we were standing, we could still see Sonny who had returned to Dash's bedside. Sonny pulled something from the pouch attached to his belt and squeezed it into his hand. Still making a fist, he blew into one end of his hand, and I could make out a thin cloud of dark resin rising above Dash. The stuff dissipated, and Dash coughed, vomiting. He didn't look any better just like Kate didn't look any better before she died.

"You need to explain what's going on," Cassandra said. "What's up with you guys?"

I watched Sonny continue to perform his magic on Dash, sure he was going to kill him. "Not everything is what it seems. Sonny is a dangerous guy, and we're standing here letting him work on Dash. I don't like it." I pointed at Dash. "Look at him. He's worse." I started back toward the room, but Oliver grabbed me and stared me down. I could have taken Oliver down with one punch, but I also knew nobody would forgive me for doing so.

"We need to let him try." Cassandra's voice was calming. "Nobody else has any clue what's going on. The nurses look lost. And who knows where Headmaster Eliphas is right now."

"You mean let him kill Dash," I said. I wanted to finish what Sonny and I had started a few minutes earlier. We were making a grave mistake, and I was afraid what would happen if letting Sonny work on Dash ended in a bad way.

Oliver moved between us. "I don't think so. Dash's skin is getting its color back. I don't think Sonny healed him, but I also don't think he's going to die now." He turned to me. "Let him finish. I think it'll be okay. I've read about medicine men like Sonny. Yeah, some are quacks, but he appears to be the real thing. The dust he blew over Dash is supposed to suck the poison from Dash's skin. It's working."

"But if he's that good at healing, he's probably also that good at making people sick," I said. I raised my hands when they started to protest my remark. "Have it your way."

"He needs to help Braeden next." Cassandra was hell-bent on letting Sonny continue his charade. I hated to admit it, but it looked like Sonny was actually helping the situation, though I still thought he had caused it in the first place. This way he looked like the hero he wasn't. Sonny turned and started toward us, his eyes squarely on me. I considered punching him in the face as he approached.

"Don't," Cassandra whispered. "We have to let this play out."

"If he hurts any of you..."

"I think Dash is going to be okay," Sonny said. "I got most of the poison out. He needs rest now to let his body's immune system take over."

"What about Braeden?" Cassandra asked. "Can you help him like you did Dash?"

Sonny looked at me. "As long as I'm not interrupted, I think I can do the same for him. Whatever sickened them has to be dark magic. It's the only thing that could have done this. I'll see what I can do."

I hated being fucked with. I put my arm around Cassandra. "As long as it helps my friends and my girlfriend, I'm good with it." I could see Cassandra blushing, and I tightened my arm around her waist. Sonny needed to know what most people on campus already knew. "Time to help Braeden. Go ahead and work your magic."

We followed Sonny to Braeden's bedside, where he reached into his pouch. He repeated the incantation he'd used on Dash, and then crushed something in his hand.

"So, did you all come to the academy together?" Sonny asked, and blew a cloud of darkness over Braeden. The substance dissipated, and Braeden coughed. Sonny then glanced at Cassandra.

"No," Cassandra said. "But once we were all here, we were naturally drawn to each other, like we were here because of each other."

Sonny turned and looked at Cassandra. "That's sweet, it really is. Where are you from?" He turned back to Braeden but kept talking to Cassandra. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

Oliver glanced at me and scowled. I gave him a gentle nod. "We'll leave you to your work, Sonny." I grabbed Cassandra's hand. "We need to see our mentor. We've got training to do."

"We can't leave Dash and Braeden," Cassandra said as we dragged her away.

"We can," Oliver whispered. "They'll recover." He motioned over his shoulder. "Sonny was getting too nosey. Why's he asking so many questions?"

Cassandra shrugged. "I thought he was just making conversation."

"I've known the guy too long. He never just makes conversation. He was after something." And I was going to figure out exactly what that was.