Flame Academy

/32/

"T-traitor?"

Jillian nodded without any hesitation. "Remember the girl I fought when we were outside the academy?"

Girl? Then I remembered the girl who has an orange flame. She's one of the dark flamers who interfered with our mission and just showed up from nowhere.

"I saw him talking to that girl. Ace told her what's going on here and even said that he'll update them about the plans that will be created. And I think, he's the reason why those flamers found out the ritual about the moonlight."

Napasandal ako sa sofa dahil sa mga narinig ko. So the traitor we've been looking for is one of our friends? The traitor was with us all along?

That means, Ace already had an idea that I own the Flame of Light from the very beginning. He's the reason why Main Titan never saw the dark flamers doing the ritual since he's one of the spies. He may also be the one who let them get out from the flame gate and distracted us so we cannot notice that we are being followed. He blocked all the evidences from being seen.

He told them about my flame that's why they used me. They used Main Titan against me because he told them about it.

Ace...

Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko. Kung si Jillian nagalit, paano pa kaya ako na siyang ginamit nila?

"Why didn't you tell us?"

I asked and looked at her. Ilang saglit pa ang lumipas bago siya nakasagot.

"I just want to make sure of it."

"Hearing the conversation between them is not enough for you to be sure?" I asked and she seemed shock to hear my tone. "When? When did you found out?"

She looked hesitant but also answered. "Ever since we went back in the academy."

"Ah. So you already knew since then but you are not doing anything? Where's the honest and straightforward Jillian I met?"

"Kate..."

I adverted my gaze and took a deep breath. I tried to calm down but in the end, I just slammed my hand on the table. And in just a snap, the table turned into ashes together with her book.

Napatayo ako at nahilamos ang kamay ko sa buo kong mukha. I am already hardly breathing to control myself and not let my emotions drive me crazy again.

Because if that happens, I might burn down the whole dormitory building. But I can't stop my emotions anymore. If guilt swallowed me a while ago during the training, anger is the one eating me now.

And hatred is starting to build up too.

"He's a traitor...h-he's a traitor..." I absently repeated. I looked at Jillian. "But he's Ace. He's our friend."

"A traitor will never be our friend."

A traitor...

Saglit kong tinignan si Jillian at nakita ang seryoso niyang mukha. Now I'm starting to doubt if Ace is really our friend. Because if he is, why would he do that to me? Why would he do that to us?

I bit my lower lip and decided to go outside the dorm. There's only one way I know for my questions to be answered. And I really hope his reason is enough.

Ramdam ko ang pagsunod ni Jillian pero hindi ako tumigil. Bumaba ako sa first floor ng building at mabilis na lumabas. The wind immediately greeted me but I cannot feel its coldness anymore. Rage is enveloping me or maybe, it already did.

Jillian grabbed my arm when we were already near the fountain. But she also let go of my arm and we both looked at my flame forming around my arms.