Free Save Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 3) by L.M. Fry Page B

Scrod shouted.
    The lab doors burst open and a light shone into the room. Eli dropped to the ground and the girls followed his lead. Professor Scrod walked back into the glass room and blocked the door. Someone approached the professor. Julia held her breath.
    “Rowan, is that you?” A male voice rumbled.
    “Yes, yes, I forgot my notebook down here and had an epiphany and needed to write it down right away before I forgot and I came down here to find it so no need to worry nothing strange going on down here...” Professor Scrod’s disjointed explanation drifted off into silence.
    Julia cringed. The professor’s rambling would raise suspicion for sure. The guard shone his light into the glass wall, but Professor Scrod stood in front of him. Julia heard the man grumble.
    “Any reason the relic room is open? Is that ice?”
    “Well, you see after I found my notebook I remembered a marking I saw on the Sword and decided to make a note of it because it was important and that is what I do and it couldn’t wait so I opened the door. It gets very cold down here at night… I saw a water leak in the ceiling yesterday. It must have frozen. I’ll get it looked at right away.”
    “If you say so, Rowan. Just lock up when you leave,” the guard chuckled at the woman.
    “Of course, I am the lead director of archeology. I do know how to lock things up…” she continued on even after the man walked away.
    The lab door closed, and Professor Scrod popped into the room. A huge crooked-toothed grin appeared on her face.
    “You can come out now. I have so many questions to ask you…”

 

    Chapter Seven
    Valera
     
    Midway through Professor Scrod’s babbling, Valera dozed off. It was wonderful that Julia had finally managed to use aether, but the cold exhausted her. Valera had stepped into the lab, found a quiet corner, and surrounded herself in warmth. She hadn’t had a good night sleep in ages. However, her nap was short lived.
    “I thought I’d find you down here,” Dr. Lawless stated, hovering over her.
    Forming a small flame in her hand, she examined his face for any sign of crazy. Lately, she never knew which personality would present itself – Dr. Lawless or Mr. Dubious. Tonight, he seemed normal.
    She yawned, “We came to practice.”
    “I see. Why was I not consulted?”
    He appeared hurt, but a flash of anger flickered in his eyes. Valera frowned. He needed a reminder of who he was dealing with. She smiled politely, but the fireball in her hand flickered and grew. Whatever hold he thought he had was in his head.
    “We weren’t sure how you’d react after your little repartee this afternoon,” she shrugged.
    He scoffed, “I thought I made my position clear. I’m on your side.” Sighing, he rubbed his chin. “Well, we should join the others. I have something I need to discuss with you girls.”
    Valera took her time in standing up. She was still miffed at being awaken. Inside the relic room, Julia worked with the sword. Swirling patterns of ice covered the blade and a pale blue light shone from the metal. She touched the tip of the blade to an ice pillar. The sword vibrated in her hand. A musical chime filled the room. The ice expanded. Tentacles spread across the ceiling and down the walls. The glass froze over. Before the entire room became a giant block, Julia released aether. In an instant the ice dissipated, raining down on them in a fine mist.
    “Julia! I can’t believe it,” Dr. Lawless said, surprising everyone in the room.
    “What are you doing here,” Julia snapped.
    “I came to speak with you three. You’re in danger. The True Followers are unhappy with the progress you’ve made. I was hoping they’d give me more time to find another way, but…”
    “Another way for what?” Theo asked.
    “They’ve decided to perform the ritual earlier than I expected.” He looked at Professor Scrod, whose face shriveled.
    “What ritual?” Julia spat.
    Dr. Lawless’ Adam’s apple bobbed in his