Then the guards reached inside and bundled Oliver and Esther out of the garden, blocking their view. But Oliver had seen enough to know that this was what Professor Amethyst had warned him of. Their enemies. Rogue Seers. Somehow, they had penetrated the School for Seers. They were under attack.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Oliver helped Esther to the bench under the kapok tree. She slumped down, her head hanging forward. Oliver sat beside her and secured his arm around her waist.

The whole atrium was full of confused students, their expressions ranging from shocked to terrified. The shrill alarm continued blaring.

Oliver! a voice called.

He looked up and saw Hazel running across the atrium toward him. Behind her followed Simon, Walter, and Ralph.

Whats going on? Ralph asked when they reached him. Are you okay?

Oh no, Esther! Hazel cried, her eyes round with fear. She crouched down to tend to Esther, tenderly wiping stray tendrils of hair from her face.

Were fine, Oliver said. The school is under attack from rogue Seers.

Everyone gasped.

Well be okay, Oliver reassured them. Professor Amethyst and the guards are dealing with it now.

He tried to make himself sound confident and ignored the shiver that ran through his body as he recalled the eerie blue eyes of the rogues.

Hazel looked up from her crouched position. What happened to Esther?

She drained her powers, Oliver said. She made a shield to hold back the attackers. She saved us. It was awesome.

Esther raised her head slightly and allowed herself a timid smile. Then she croaked, Not exactly the way I was expecting our date to go.

Just then, the alarm shut off. The hubbub of the students in the atrium ceased immediately. Everyone turned to look at the door of the garden.

Professor Amethyst came striding out. The guards and teachers, including Doctor Ziblatt, Coach Finkle, and Mr. Lazzarato, followed him. All eyes watched with rapt attention.

School meeting, Professor Amethyst announced. Now.

No one needed telling twice. The entire school scurried toward a door Oliver had not yet entered. It was marked with a letter D, and the light glowed softly to indicate they could all enter.

Oliver and Hazel helped Esther to her feet. Although she was considerably more stable now, they supported her between them as they shuffled toward the D door. The three others followed behind.

The D is for debate or discussion, Ralph explained, defaulting to his teacher-mode. Although I dont think therell be much in the way of discussion going on today.

As they entered the atrium, Oliver glanced about him. It felt like a cathedral, with large pews in a horseshoe shape and a stage in the middle upon which Professor Amethyst stood. The atmosphere was solemn and foreboding.

They took their seats. Not a moment later, Professor Amethyst began to speak.