Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Selene
In my training session, no one wanted to spar with me. Head Trainer Murphy moved Vivian into my group, and Priscilla was going to work with us.
Mage lights floated in the air surrounding the training field.
The sun was setting even though it was only two o’clock in the afternoon.
They illuminated the area well, but I wouldn’t be surprised if training would be moved to the gym next week.
It was the start of an eight-week snow period this weekend.
Priscilla gave Viv and me the go-ahead and we started our match. We trained just like we had at home on the beach, not holding much back but staying in control of our magic and bodies. The students knew our levels now, and that I was ether, so there was no point in hiding it. That felt good.
Viv knew how I fought—the product of training with each other since we could walk—so it was a fun fight.
We started our fights without magic; something about a good fight with no magic soothed my soul.
It reminded me of the time with Ender in the gym.
I had needed to get my frustrations out that day.
It had been when Miss Lee had come after me with her vines, and after that, I’d had that breakdown in front of Ender, so it had been therapeutic.
I kept my magic at a lower level, knowing it could be dangerous.
It took more focus to create smaller fires than explosive ones.
The day had been exhausting, and I didn’t like the adjustment from break.
Though I had friends, I knew a lot of the other kids considered me a dangerous, unknown liability.
“Good work,” Priscilla said when the timer finished.
Head Trainer Murphy popped over to speak with Priscilla before heading back over to her group. She called out Ender and David’s name next. I tensed. I doubt Ender would take anything out on David for giving me the book, but a small part of me was apprehensive.
I caught sight of Gwen and Nick at the other match. He frowned and whispered something to her. I wondered if it was about the match. If I was closer, I might’ve been able to make out what they were saying.
“Ender and David are going against each other?” Viv took a swig of water.
I didn’t say anything.
“Oh, that’ll be good.” April came over, pointing at the other training match, and Viv gave her a shove. “What? They’re both good fighters. It’ll be good for David to fight someone with power and skill. He could use it.”
I tried to focus on the next set of girls to fight, but my gaze kept wandering to Ender and David.
It had been a minute of back-and-forth sparring with no magic yet.
It was clear I wasn’t the only one watching them.
The majority of the students in my group kept glancing over at the match, hushed whispers and appreciation in their eyes.
The sparring picked up, and I wondered how David was going to fight with his gloves on. I hadn’t seen him fight yet.
“Now that’s hot.” Sydney came over, nodding in the direction of the other match. April gave a light smack to the back of her head. “What? I’m just repeating what I heard while walking over here.”
“Did you find your shorts?” I asked Sydney, who knew very well I wasn’t asking about her shorts.
“Yes. Right where I had left them.” It had been Sydney’s turn to check on the contraband hiding in our room.
“It’s nice to see you’re back in time for the last fifteen minutes of training.” April gave Syd a disapproving dip of her head.
David sent a quick kick at Ender’s stomach—a kick I barely registered—and Ender only deflected part of the blow.
He didn’t show if the kick had phased him as he spun into David, taking him to the ground.
Hoots and hollers came from the students surrounding them but ceased once Ender stood, his shirt in flames.
How?
David, his hands still gloved, pushed himself off the grass.
Ender grasped the hem of his shirt, his air magic helping snuff out the flames as he moved, and dragged it over his chest, heaving it to the side. Smoke trailed from the material on the ground as the sparring continued.
“David’s been holding out on us,” Sydney commented.
“Not holding out, but holding back,” I corrected. Level fours could use their element on any part of their skin. The rumors of David’s power had been accurate. “Remember the dark mage he incinerated?”
“Right,” was all Sydney said as her gaze never left the match.
Tension prickled at the base of my neck, and I rubbed at it.
Something dark flicked in Ender’s eyes as he stepped away from David, momentarily faltering.
His gaze flashed to me, and I narrowed my eyes in question, but he didn’t acknowledge my gesture.
Internally, I reached for our subtle but growing connection, but there was nothing.
Ender was panting, like he was battling to get control of himself. In the momentary distraction, David’s elbow collided with his face, whipping Ender’s head to the side.
“Watch it, David!” Trainer Murphy shouted from the edge of the circle. Face shots were not allowed.
“Sorry, mate.” David held his hands up in an apologetic motion.
Ender straightened, his nostrils flared and his dark gaze locked onto David, whose eyes widened. Panic set low in my stomach. That look … Ender never had that look, even when we fought dark mages.
The ground shook. Ender’s own fire whipped from his hands and sailed toward David.
David dropped, dodging the fire missiles that struck dirt and grass, sending them up in flames.
Ender hadn’t been able to wield fire like that.
Priscilla’s full attention was now on the match next to us—everyone’s attention was.
All the students were about to learn they now had two ether mages enrolled at their academy.
David scrambled on the ground, getting his feet under him, but an invisible force knocked him back down. Wind. It held him there as Ender climbed on top of him.
“Ender!” Priscilla shouted and stepped toward the pair, but he shoved out a hand, pushing her back with a rush of category three hurricane winds.
That was a warning to stay out, but for added measure, the winds continued swirling around them.
Trainer Murphy tried to cross the wind barrier, but her arm was wrenched backward and Flame hopped off her opposing shoulder and to the ground.
Beyond the swirling gusts, I could see Ender raising his fist and striking David, who reached out, hands fumbling over Ender’s bare chest and neck.
Ender was not going to stop.
I rushed forward, putting my hands up to the wind barrier. Attempting to create my own barrier, I sliced into Ender’s wind, only to get thrown to the side.
“Sal!” Vivian ran to my aid, helping me up.
“That didn’t work.” I straightened myself.
“Obviously, Sherlock.” Viv rolled her eyes.
I was powerful. I should be able to break through if I attempted again and tried another method, but the way Ender was not letting up on his assault told me there wasn’t time.
I closed my eyes, reaching for the bond he and I shared.
A small fluorescent string trailed into a bright abyss.
I reached for it, mentally tugging on it.
Ender, I whispered to myself more than anything. Let me in.
I opened my eyes. Ender had his arm cocked in the air, but he didn’t bring it down. The small hurricane surrounding them had lessened ever so slightly. Had he heard me?
I’m coming to you, I mentally said but immediately felt embarrassed and was glad no one could hear my thoughts. The soul-bond must help us deduce our intentions through our feelings.
Cautiously, I edged closer to the gusts and began making my way through the storm, wind grating against my skin and own magic. Inside, Ender had retreated, standing as far as he could from David, who lay still on the ground.
“Ender?” I reached for him, putting a hand on his heaving chest. His revulsion of his actions and confusion ached in my own bones. “You’re okay.”
His eyes finally met mine, wide with disbelief and horror. He glanced back at David. Beating him to a pulp in an unprovoked training match was anything but his normal.
The storm surrounding us ceased; the training field had gone completely silent. His expression became indecipherable as he stepped away and turned toward the woods, all emotions pouring from him cutting off.
“Ender.” I started to follow but he held up a hand.
“I need a moment.” He continued, not really walking or running, more of a speed walk—if there was such a thing as a graceful speed walk.
My brain knew I needed to respect his space, but my heart wanted to race after him. I went to move in his direction, but Priscilla strode past, motioning me to stay while also giving me the universal nod that meant I got him. At least that was what I thought the tilt of her head meant.
So I stayed, watching him retreat into the woods and ignoring the pain in my chest and the alarmed gazes on both of our backs.