15. No turning back #2
“Bullshit. You stood upfront, making everyone take out their books, then set them all on fire.” I’m normally not the tattling type, but if this bitch thinks I’m getting in trouble for her, she is delusional.
He enters the room silently, yet his presence screams louder than any fabrication she can muster. Students began snickering, pulling out their phones to record, and my stomach twists into knots at their implication.
“She’s lying…Tell him you’re lying.” Her voice is more panicky as she slams her hands over my desk.
“I don’t have fire magic, so how the hell could I burn their books?
” I return the gesture, slamming my hands on my desk, eliciting a gasp from her.
Without a word, a thick vine bursts through the floor.
Coiling around her neck, wisps of emerald flames melt her flesh like acid.
I lurch back, seeing pieces of her skin bubble and peel as her choking screams echo my past. He has two orders.
She plops to her knees, clawing at her throat for release while terror holds me captive. I’m trapped between wanting to save her and watching the punishment. Surely, I’ll get in trouble for stepping in.
Her skin continues melting from the intense flames, and I shudder at how fucked-up this all is.
“You must have felt inclined to test me?” Marcel gibes, approaching and pulling against her fiery leash as he controls how deadly his flames burn.
“Or perhaps, you think I’m foolish and would fall for the lies of any fay with overrated tits?
” He ceases his pace just shy of her flailing arms. “No, that can’t be it.
A first year wouldn’t be so mindless…or would they?
” A predatory rumble trembles his throat, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.
His features darken, enticing the vines to squeeze tighter, and I find her orange eyes losing their shine.
“Stop, you’re killing her!” I choke, my voice broken but clear. His phantom blue gaze cuts to me, speckled with a hunter green hue, and fuck, I wish they hadn’t. I murmur, “She can’t answer you if she’s dead.”
Smirking, he unravels the vines enough for her to inhale. Now gasping on all fours and watching her tears turn into vapor, my pulse rises from the heartache of her severe punishment.
He squats to her level and growls, “Tish, I won’t ask again.”
“I was told…to challenge…the mortal in class,” she pants, digging her nails into his vines and combating his flames with her own. To hell with feeling bad, this is Gina all over again.
“The next time you feel like battling another student in my class without my permission…” Tish’s muted screams die in the air as the flames burn brighter, melting more of her skin.
“You’ll discover I don’t give second chances.
” He releases his hold and stares in disgust before walking towards the front.
“And thank Kyra for being merciful. It won’t happen again. ”
I flop down with an overwhelming what-the-fuck sigh. Clasping my hands against my uncontrollably jittering leg, I hear those around me laugh and conceal their phones. My stomach churns, sweat coats my hands, and I find Tish staring at me with murder oozing from her pores.
“This isn’t over, bitch,” she chokes, scrummaging for her desk as another student tends to her wounds.
Make another enemy on my first day of class…check.
“Ten points deducted from House Fire for Tish being a coward.” Marcel turns, gazing over his students.
“And ten points given to House Death for Kyra not being one,” he adds while removing her jacket from his chair, setting it ablaze, and acting as though nothing happened.
“Now, if you’re ready to get started, we can focus on the curriculum.
But before we do, let me remind you of the rules.
” He flicks a wrist, and the numbers one through four appear on the board.
“Ahh, Marcel, Sir–” I raise my hand because I have too many unanswered questions. Like why did I receive points, and more importantly, why is Tish eyeing me so damn hard?
“Rule one,” he states, and I guess that is a sign for me to shut the hell up. Got it. “Before class starts, you’re allowed to challenge any fay in attendance. This ranges from physical to intellectual. As shown today, that includes me.” He sweeps over the class, suggesting that wouldn’t be wise.
“He’s talking about you, Tish,” someone across the room blurts. The entire class laughs in an uproar, enticing her hatred for me to grow even more. Great.
“Rule two, killing is prohibited; everything else goes.” He smiles, turning those phantom blue orbs my way. “I’m the only exception. If you insist on challenging me, ensure your life is worth it.” My brows pinch, and goosebumps race down my back. That couldn’t have been for me, right?
A hand flies up from the fay seated before me, still holding his phone, and Marcel nods in approval.
“We’ve seen other students partake in death challenges, why not us?”
“They’re of a higher ranking than you. We don’t allow death challenges until you reach the top one-thousand ranking. All fourteen of you complete the list of six thousand, so, you do the math,” he grins.
“There’re sixteen students in your class. That doesn’t add up.”
“Good, Draco, you can count,” he huffs, leaning over his desk, seemingly annoyed.
“Two students are without ranking, therefore, it’s fourteen–Oh, and twenty points deducted from House Earth for annoying me.
” Called it . It’s easy to spot who is from the same house by the amount of teeth sucking I hear going on.
“But you’re from–”
“Rule three…” Marcel lingers on Draco before finding Tish. “Regardless if you win or lose, you cannot challenge the same student for a day. If I find out this rule is broken, you’ll seek refuge in your nightmares from what I have planned.” Holy shit, he can’t be serious.
My phone vibrates, and I use this distraction to remove the torturous scene entering my mind.
SHINING KNIGHT
Good luck today. Remember, bullies are only as strong as the fays they hang around.
This message’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I just need to figure out who all is in Tish’s crew and avoid their asses like the plague.
Thank you, I needed to hear that. Today is starting off…interesting. I hope your day’s going better. Wait, are you a first year or second?
“Rule four, Kyra.” His dark tone startles me, causing my hands to stutter.
If that is even a thing. I place my phone away, trying to swallow the embarrassing lump in my throat.
“Your grade is highly impacted on challenging one another. Without doing so, you will fail. Any questions?” he asks, crossing his arms, emphasizing how broad his chest is.
He is built for this shit. Me, I’m better behind a keyboard.
It’s my first class, and I’m already battling the urge to question every one of his rules. Don’t upset your professor. Angie’s advice keeps me still. Regardless, I’m fucked unless I figure out more of this magic rather than summoning photos .
“Now, who’s ready for a challenge?” He takes his seat. Two hands raise, and my heart plummets, seeing one of them is–“Tish?” he deadpans, and her deathly orange gaze shifts to me.
Panic slithers around my lungs, tightening and holding the air captive.
“I want to challenge her,” she orders. Nothing but malice coats her tongue, and I grip the ruffles of my skirt to keep from reacting out of fear.
Marcel declines her request, shaking his head and moving a few loose strands from his face.
“Why not?” she asks. The bite in her tone is like thick acid she can’t keep down.
“Are you questioning me?” He narrows his glare.
“N–no, I’m not,” she stammers, “but you said we can challenge anyone here.” He gives me a once-over before returning his destructive leer towards her.
“Rule number three. You can’t challenge the same student for a day.
” He points behind him. “Next time don’t waste yours on a mind game you can’t deliver.
” Giving a daring squint, she leans back, acknowledging defeat, and folds her arms. This isn’t over by a long-shot.
I may have gotten lucky today, but tomorrow will unfold a different story.
I mouth, “thank you.” He returns a subtle nod then moves on.
“Morgan, your hand was raised.”
“Hell, yeah. I’d like to challenge Ryan. We’re establishing ranks within our House, and he’s been talking a lot of shit.” He offers the guy next to him a wide smile, both becoming hyper and bumping fists.
“House Life against one another.” Marcel grins. “Per House rules, no challenging the same fay for a week.” They both nod and Marcel claps. “Okay then, come up front.”
Simply flicking his wrist, a burst of energy spreads throughout the room, pushing back my two neatly braided plaits, which I spent an eternity perfecting, and forcing my skirt higher up my thighs.
Green magic covers the entire class, shifting our desks into stands made of marble that stagger down into a pit of sand. The walls then break apart, transforming into elegant podiums, towering high above as the open air flutters by.
Holy shit, those are the dragons from the other day.
Somehow, we went from being indoors to sitting outside within a colosseum, beneath an array of two-toned clouds.
Gray and blue. I stare in disbelief, mouth gaped, energy tingling over my skin as I watch the majestic beasts soar above.
I’m at a loss for words. We’re surrounded by open fields, and off in the distance is Rebirth Academy.
Students cheer, snagging my attention, and again, I find Tish’s ungodly scowl. She drags a finger across her throat, and my palms heat at the motion, balling into fists before I look away. I’ve been practicing my magic, creating home decor and knickknacks.
Oh, you need a pencil? I have a shit ton of those. How about a pen? Yep, have those as well. *Sigh* I’m still understanding my magic, but without knowing how to use it in combat, I don’t stand a chance.