Part 5

She led us back into the library and through an unmarked door. Inside were filing cabinets and a black cupboard. She used her ID to unlock the cupboard and took out a small plexiglass case.

Inside was a sparkling shard of Heaven’s gem. It wasn’t nearly as incredible as I had imagined. It was small, about the size of a knife blade, and was an opaque white with sharp jagged edges.

Collin glanced at the girl; she was standing nearby waiting for us. It was clear to me that she didn’t plan on leaving us alone with the Acada. Collin bent down close as if examining the plaque at the bottom.

“No one knows what kind of stone it is?” He asked.

The girl shook her head, “the guy who fond it didn’t give us much information, he just called it the Acada.”

Drew shot Collin a glace.

“Jess, look at this here,” he said.

I bent my head next to his to look at what he was pointing to.

“We’ve got to get rid of her,” he whispered so quietly I was sure I was the only one who had heard him.

“How?” I said trying to be equally silent but not quite managing it. I had forgotten just how trained he and Drew really were.

“Distract,” I barely heard him say.

I stood up, trying to think of something on the spot.

“Which way is the bathroom?”

“Right there,” she said pointing to a door for the custodian’s bathroom.

My plan had failed so I quickly thought of another. I peaked my head inside and then returned.

“There isn’t a mirror in there,”

“There isn’t?” She asked coming to see herself.

“Nope,” I said blocking her way.

“Is there another one anywhere?”

I could see Collin behind her trying to pry the case apart. I was suddenly shot with a feeling of foreboding. If we stole the Acada, this girl would know who had done it and would most definitely turn us in. We could have the police after us. We could become criminals!

I focused again. In order to stop Feren we had to get the stone. I followed the girl out of the back room and back to the library where she pointed the way to the bathroom. I thanked her and tried to buy a little more time by asking about the classes at the school. She was brief with her answers and finally turned to go back into the little room. I crossed my fingers, hoping it was enough. Drew pushed to door open as the girl was going through.

She smiled “we’re leaving now,” she said and all three of them started walking away a little too quickly, Sam with a smirk.

To my dismay the girl walked beside us “did you lock it back up?”

“Yep,” said Collin. “We really are in a hurry, will you please excuse us?”

The girl looked a little nonplused.

“Where are you headed? You’re new here maybe I can help you?”

“No thanks,” said Collin walking even faster “we’ll be fine.”

We finally reached the door back to the reception room.

“Alright then, it was nice meeting you,” said the girl.

“You…” But Drew’s last word was cut off by Sam closing the door behind us.