My friends were still muttering about our encounter with Rhea when we finally made it to the boundary of the campus. I’d remained unusually quiet throughout the whole thing deciding that it was better not to add fuel to the fire. My friends were wound up enough for me, and I had to admit that their loyalty was heart-warming.
“You’re late!” Merrin’s disgusted tone hit my ears just before I saw her appear from around the trunk of a large oak tree. Its branches were overhanging, and she had to shove one out of the way as she stumbled over the leaf mulch at its base.
“I’m sorry. We ran into some trouble,” I said, finally finding my voice.
“I guess you could call her that,” Zoe grumbled.
“I can think of much worse things to call her.” Keeya’s hands tightened into fists once more, and I coul
