Chapter 378: Don't shake the cat

Chapter 378: Don't shake the cat

Noah nearly blew himself up. All things considered, it had been quite some time since hed last mistakenly killed himself, so perhaps it had been a long time coming. But, even so, he was pretty happy with his streak of only dying when he wanted to.

The only thing that saved him from splattering as his Formations shattered and released all their magic directly on top of him was the fact that hed been in the very final notes of the song hed been playing when the snap tore through his mind.

Noah stumbled, a wave of shock slamming into him like a stormfront and turning his fingers stiff around the bow of his violin. His breath caught in his throat, the final note turning from melodious into a grating screech.

The Formation hed been practicing slipped away and the violin vanished from Noahs hands as he braced himself against a wall while his mind reeled and spun. For a moment, he thought that Wizen himself had shown up and attacked him.

But, as Noah forced himself to turn in a circle and search for his assailant, his search turned up nothing but an empty room. His thundering heartbeat started to slow as he took slow breaths, gathering himself.

What the hell was that?

Noah plunged into his mindspace, searching for what had happened. Natural Disaster, Sunder, and the Fragment of Renewal all greeted him with waves of pressure as he arrived, but nothing was off about any of them.

His eyes scanned the darkness, trying to figure out what had happened. There was no way that snap had been his imagination. It had been too visceral, too intense. Even now, he felt like a portion of his mind was different. Empty, somehow.

And then, finally, Noah realized what had changed. It wasnt that something had happened to him. It was that something had left. The thread that had connected him to Azel was gone. It had snapped, peeling away from his soul and leaving him alone in his mindspace.

For several seconds, Noah stared in disbelief. He sent his senses out, trying to feel and see if Azel was somehow hiding elsewhere or playing a trick on him. Noah found nothing. His soul was entirely his own once more.

A grin started to form on Noahs lips, but it died as quickly as it arrived. Being free of Azel was undoubtedly a good thing, but the demon wouldnt have severed their connection for no reason. It probably meant hed found a new host and that had disastrous consequences.

Goddamn it. The last thing I need is Azel running around with someone else wreaking havoc on the school. Dont we have enough problems right now?

Noah yanked himself out of his mindspace and returned to the real world. He grabbed his grimoire, slinging the large book over his shoulder before attaching the gourd to his hip and striding out of his room and nearly tripping over Mascot with his first step into the hall.

Cursing, Noah grabbed onto the doorframe and managed to keep from falling flat on his face. He turned as Contessa ran down the hall, scooping Mascot up into her arms and sending Noah an apologetic look.

Sorry. He teleported out again.

Again? Noah asked, narrowing his eyes at the smug-looking cat. Mascot was definitely more rotund than Noah remembered him to be. What has the little shit been up to?

Mostly just killing rats and the like, Contessa said. Hes been really relaxed as of late. I dont know why he suddenly ran out here.

That seems like it might be an ill omen. Mascot seems to enjoy showing up whenever things are about to go poorly. Im not sure if thats because he likes helping or because he likes watching, but I suspect its probably a mixture of the two.

Its fine, Noah said, shaking his head and closing the door behind him. Have you seen Moxie or any of the others?

Just Karina, Contessa replied. Are you expecting someone?

I dont think so, but you never know. Just let me know if any advanced track members show up at the door, okay?

Advanced track? Contessas eyebrows rose, but she didnt press any further. Okay.

Energy buzzed at Noahs back. He grabbed Mascot reflexively and the horned cat let out a surprised yowl as Noah spun toward the source of the energy, taking Mascot with him.

Moxie shimmered to existence at the base of the cannons tube, her hair frazzled and expression weary. She blinked as she spotted Noah and Mascot.

Noah? What are you

The rest of Moxies sentence was lost in a yelp as Noah ran over to Moxie and scooped her into a tight hug. She let out a muffled grunt into his shoulder, unable to speak through his embrace.

Mascot let out an affronted hiss and batted at the back of Noahs legs before sending everyone a smug look and stepping through a portal, vanishing.

Wheres Lee? Noah asked, finally releasing Moxie and taking a step back, though he kept his hands on her shoulders just to make sure she was actually there. I

Another crackle filled the air and Alexandra materialized at the base of the cannon, followed shortly thereafter by Emily.

Shes safe, Moxie said, putting a hand on Noahs chest. How did you find out? Did Tim find you?

Tim? No, hes bloody missing, Noah said, letting out a relieved breath. Ive been running all over campus trying to find out where you guys are. Wait what do you mean by find out?

Someone attacked us, Emily said, lowering her voice and glancing around the transport cannon.

Who? Where are they? Noah demanded.

Dead, Moxie replied. Dont worry. None of us got injured.

Wizen?

No. It was the same group that attacked you some time back, Moxie said, giving Noah a pointed look. The one that has reason to dislike Lee.

Youre kidding me, Noah said, his fists clenching at his sides. They found us? Wheres Lee?

Maybe I should give you the full story, Moxie said gently. Lee will be here soon. She entered the transport cannon after us, remember? And Brayden is here as well.

Brayden showed up?

Father did say hed send Brayden, but that was to deal with the Wizen problem, not for goddamn Inquisitors. What the hell is going on?

Yeah. Just after everything was done, Alexandra said. Moxie is right, Professor Vermil. Lee is safe.

Noah drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to reign in his anger. Lee and Moxie were more than capable of defending themselves, but that didnt make him like hearing theyd been attacked any more.

Maybe filling me in would be for the best, Noah said. But, before that, where is Azel? Did he have anything to do with the attack?

No, Moxie said, a frown flickering across her lips. He didnt have anything to do with the attack, but hes probably the reason we survived it. He died protecting Lee.

He what?