6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRV48jaVLr“Hmm,” Lady Shor mumbled, “I was looking for a stronger reaction. I guess I shouldn’t have done this in the first place, but the normal bells don’t work on you...
"No!"Eilara cried
“It’s not your decision to make!” Lady Shor roared. “Call the washers!''
The two men in masks strode out of the closet, each holding out a bell. The harsh wire growled as the sound of the bells tore through her eardrums, leaving a jagged scar in its place—a cold, sharp ringing that felt like it was carving a permanent mark into her mind.
“No,” Eilara said sluggishly. “Don’t.” Then her head crashed into Lady Shor’s shadow, and she fell into a dark, heavy sleep.
“Are you okay?” a hazy voice asked as Eilara finally sat up.
“Where... where am I?” she asked, her head still throbbing from the bells. A man with piercing black eyes and brown hair was smiling down at her. He wore a doctor’s robe and thin blue gloves.
“I’m Doctor Fihn,” he explained calmly. “You are currently in the healing center of our school. Lady Shor told me that there was an accident and you fainted.”
“Are you alright?” a softer voice asked from the doorway as Mary Beth straggled out alongside Kael.
Eilara shuddered, but why? Kael Zorvath had always been her friend, and Mary Beth was known as a very helpful student. Yet, as she looked at them, their smiles felt too bright, like masks they had put on just for her. Why was she not excited to see them?
“What’s up?” Kael asked, kneeling down to check if she had a fever. “Mary just asked you today if you’re okay or not.”
“Sorry,” Eilara told them, pulling back slightly. “Also, I’m fine. Thanks for asking, Mary.”
Mary Beth grinned, her eyes wide. “I’m so glad to hear it!”
“Me too,” Kael agreed.
“Me three!” Doctor Fihn chirped.
“Come on! Let’s go to class! We have skill training!” Mary said excitedly, bouncing up and down on her sneakers. “Let’s go!”
As Eilara stood to follow them, she caught a glimpse of a figure in the far corner of the hallway. Lady Shor was standing there, partially hidden by a stone archway. She didn't say a word about the "accident," but she watched Eilara with a thin, satisfied smile, her eyes locked on her until the trio turned the corner toward the training grounds.
Lady Shor knew exactly what those bells had done—and Eilara knew the "accident" was only the beginning6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur2JkDb5Is
and then Add to home screen.