August and I were walking down the hallways of the main campus, the hazy and warm glow of the setting sun filtering through the windows and casting hues of red and pink onto the marble floor. The noises from the surrounding classrooms were muted out by the ringing in my ears, the loud drumming of my heartbeat. It wasn't just the fact that Erilyn had become that powerful, it was the realization that if she were following Ines' orders, being second to her . . . how much stronger was Ines supposed to be?
It was as if the reality of everything dawned on me, crashing on me like a huge block of boulder that's been flying over my head, only that it had just dropped its full weight on me. In simpler terms, it's like a bucket of water and ice cubes was poured on me without warning. Goddesses, I couldn't think straight.
"Lily, calm—Lily." August had to call my name a few times for his words to come through, and even now his voice was far away. "Lily, stop for a moment."
