We didn't get far.
"Stop!" I barked, skidding to a halt as the mist thickened.
Julien froze beside me, sword raised.
Mira was just behind, her dagger dripping with fresh blood.
Felix dragged Wallace along, his face pale as he struggled to keep the exhausted rune master upright.
Leo was barely conscious, but he was moving—barely.
"Professor," Julien murmured, his voice tight. "They're not letting us go."
No, they weren't.
The mist thickened unnaturally, swirling with malicious intent.
I turned, senses on high alert.
There.
"Ambush," I muttered.
"Where?" Mira's voice was a low whisper.
"Everywhere."
The mist moved.
Shadows flickered—no, not shadows.
Class B.
Elias's team wasn't done.
"Fan out!" I barked.
Julien and Mira spread out, blades at the ready.
"Felix, get Wallace and Leo back!"
"On it!"
Felix didn't argue. He hauled Wallace toward the treeline, Leo stumbling beside them.
"Professor…" Wallace rasped, barely holding on.
