Musti, Rekku, and Kamu dive at the unknown creature when it gets too close to my window, managing to keep whatever the thing is at bay.

“Quick, everyone inside!” Joakim yells, beckoning students toward the doors. “Don’t let it into the school!”

Joakim, of course. His classes are notorious for their mishaps.

Another Blomqvist Blunder

My brain automatically starts composing an article for the Messenger, but my thoughts derail when Morgan jumps to his feet.

“Hannah!”

A third grader wearing purple jeans stands frozen as the conjured critter dive-bombs straight toward her. We both watch, numb and paralyzed.

Hannah raises her hand, carving the water rune isa into the air. It’s such a delicate gesture and yet the puddles scattered across the courtyard respond immediately. The muddy water forms a barrier of dirty ice at least two meters tall to protect Hannah and her classmates.

No third grader should be able to draw so much energy so easily. In fact, most high schoolers would have a hard time doing the same, but Hannah does it effortlessly. The creature slams into the barrier, razor-sharp claws gouging at the impenetrable surface before my crows launch an assault with beaks and talons.

Hannah releases the spell and the ice shatters. Morgan’s already on his feet, elbowing his way through the cafeteria crowd. I rush to follow, not caring when he breaks the rules and shoves open the emergency exit to get into the yard faster. He races toward his sister, skidding across frozen puddles. I follow, wanting to protect them both even though I know that’s ridiculous. Maybe if I had a baseball bat I wouldn’t feel so useless.

“Are you okay?” Morgan tugs Hannah into his arms before she can answer.

“It’s coming back.” I point at the shrieking creature.

Hannah pulls free and sends up another wall of ice, smaller this time, but the creature shatters it with a flick of its morning star tail.

“Use uruz too,” I shout over the cacophony of the courtyard. An earth rune would be much stronger.

Morgan frowns, considering, then flicks his fingers. Breath wrenches out of my lungs as he crafts earth and air runes into a powerful sigil. The spell takes effect, and Morgan raises pillars of earth, sod erupting from the ground at our feet He wields the pillars like hockey sticks while the creature tries to slalom past.

Sweat beads his forehead and rolls down his temples as he strains to maintain the spell. Binding earth and air magic together is beyond impressive, but I’ll marvel at that later when we’re not under attack.

Rekku swoops low, knocking the creature from its trajectory. The thing shrieks in anger and tears after the crows. With an exhausted exhalation, Morgan releases the spell and the muddy pillars crumble.