Derek's fire essence flared weakly, but he was exhausted and injured. He couldn't win a fight against Kai even at full strength, and he knew it.
"Fine. I'll come quietly."
"Roland, bind his hands with essence-suppression rope. If he tries anything, you have permission to knock him unconscious."
Roland, despite his shoulder injury, moved to comply with visible satisfaction. He tied Derek's hands behind his back with rope coated in earth essence that disrupted fire manipulation.
The group began moving toward the exit. Wounded students supported each other, the less injured helping carry those who couldn't walk. It was slow progress, but they were moving.
Kai and Seraphina held rear guard position as promised. Seraphina limped badly from her leg wounds but refused assistance.
"You're going to explain later," she said quietly. "All of this. What you really are."
"Maybe."
