20. Out of the frying pan and into…another? #2
Chiming in, “Hell yeah,” Jace waves me over, pulling out my chair, and my lips part in shock. Is this a joke? With a surge of energy returning, I avoid the incoming stares and whispers while heading back.
“Tish, take your seat as well. This class isn’t over.”
“It’s not fair,” she complains. “Kyra didn’t play by the rules. We all can see she didn’t.” She continues pleading her case.
“You lost. Deal with it. Either you take your seat, or I’ll do it myself.” Yasmine prowls her way, grinning and flexing her fingers. She wants a reason, but Tish sighs and walks away. “Kyra, your shield.”
They both move from my line of sight, and I notice the reason behind all of their surprised responses. Yasmine retains a grin, gesturing her head where the mannequin should be, and I gasp.
“Where’d it go?” I question, rotating to Jace, who wears one hell of a smile.
“Dude, you made it disappear. Look.” He turns his phone, pressing play on a recorded video.
It shows me scowling, fists balled, and breathing heavily.
A red glow tints my hands before flashing over the mannequin and disappearing.
Both it and the red light. “See, this proves you have magic. Some students from House Life and Earth can make things disappear, but damn, not like this.” He chuckles, placing his phone away.
“But it didn’t vanish. I was standing next to it.” True, from their perspective it’s gone. However, I saw it before taking my seat, so what the hell is going on?
“Kyra, do you still feel traces of your aura tingling?”
“My aura tingling? Uhh–”
“Rather energy. You’ll learn more about that. Regardless, do you feel it?”
“Yes. It’s more over my hands and a little on my arms.”
“Good, concentrate on the sensation going away. Keep your focus right here.” She points where her mannequin should be.
Taking a few deep breaths, I’ll be damned. The tingling dissipates in tandem with Yasmine’s mannequin returning. It’s as though a veil was removed, exposing it in one slow motion. Well, fuck me.
“H–How. I mean what happened?”
“You summoned a vanishing shield.” She gives a cheery smile. More like created, because I sure as shit don’t know how to summon. Leaning back with my focus on my hands, I’m left baffled. My thoughts were on placing a defense around it and making everyone see I have magic. Not…this.
“You must show me the spell you used,” Jace whispers, restarting his eyebrow motion. I return a chuckle and head shake. I’ll show him once it’s clear how I’m able to do it.
“Alright, enough chatter. The last two participants, up here. We don’t have all day.”
They begin, and he allows me to rewatch the video where I notice a couple of things, no wrist flicking and no mumbling words. Pretty much it leaves me more confused over it all. But hey, House Death gained a few points.
Useless my ass. Eat shit, Ethan.
Today’s final match concludes with House Earth’s attacker receiving points. In total, Gina’s side won more House points over mine. I’m glad she isn’t here to witness it. I don’t need her yapping about how they are more superior.
“Before I release you, is there anyone wanting another go, perhaps challenging someone else?” Jace’s hand flies up, and Yasmine groans, “Yes?” not surprised this was coming.
“Can we challenge you?”
“Are you wanting to join Gina?” she snaps back in warning.
“If it’s by your hands, then yes.”
Leaning over I whisper, “You’re laying it on a little thick don’t you think?”
“Go big or die, right?” he answers without breaking their eye contact.
I snort in regard to him being serious. “It’s, go big or go home.”
“Same thing.”
Yasmine’s arms open as an invitation, and he leaps up, rushing to where she stands. Bless his heart. She’s going to eat him alive.
“Attack or defend?” she asks, and he points at the blue square positioned for attacking. “So be it. When the timer hits zero, you may start.” Waving a hand, she spawns a red number three, and the countdown begins.
My mood has become more elated since walking in here, and despite Rebirth’s embodiment of Mean Girls mixed with a few assholes, all the confusion over my magic gives me hope. The fact I was able to show it ignites a fire under my ass. The sooner I’m able to get a hang of it, the better.
A green zero flashes, replaced by a two-minute countdown, and Yasmine flicks her wrist, summoning a prismatic shield made of blue light. Jace grins with bliss, raising both hands and bringing forth his infamous cyclops. This time larger and with two clubs.
Ripples of magic spread about the class as his summon pounds on her shield. No matter how many times it swings, her defense never wavers or cracks.
“If this is all you have, I should end it now.” Spoken from a true badass. Chills race over my arms at her taunting smirk, and inspiration follows in the form of a rushing heat wave.
She lifts her other hand, erupting blue chains from her shield, and the speed at which they latch around his cyclops’ throat, is insane. “Wait–wait–wait.” He panics.
“I win.” Her chains squeeze around its neck, popping the head off, and it explodes, sending Jace tumbling away. Holy shit. My mouth gapes.
Of course I’m left in astonishment. Yasmine beat him in under fifteen seconds. I’ve seen a glimpse of what Angie can do, and don’t get me wrong, her weapon play is second to none, but this. Raw magic? Yeah, I need this class.
Regaining his footing, he smiles. “Amazing. You never said anything about attacking while defending. But then again, you never said we couldn’t.” I regard Yasmine with fascination. He beholds her with, Laudation?…Obsession?…Vibrance?…Emotion?
Wait, that’s it. Love.
“Learning is always good. Let this be a lesson. Your opponents won’t fight fair.
Expect the unexpected, and you’ll remain one step ahead.
” She returns an expression, not as strong or noticeable, maybe misinterpreted, but there is a hint of contentment there.
Hmmm. “This session has concluded. You all may leave.”
Jace approaches, grabbing his phone and faces the screen. “You saw it here first, my victories over Gina, Yasmine’s beautiful display of badassery, and Kyra’s…” He pans the phone to me then back to him. “Astonishing victory over Tish–”
“Fuck off, Jace. That bitch didn’t win fair and square.” He side-eyes her, and I snicker.
“She’s still angry, but I don’t have enough gigabytes for her amount of whining. Anyway, thanks for joining us live on ‘The Young and the Fayless.’ Until next time, click and subscribe. You don’t want to miss any updates.”
My snicker becomes a roaring chortle, and he contributes, raising those damn eyebrows.
“Kyra, can I see you for a moment?” Yasmine calls from her desk.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Don’t call me ma’am.” Her tone is nonchalant .
Jace and I grab our things, preparing to head up front when he asks for my number. “I want to send you the videos and link to my blog.” Ahh. His intentions seem pure, and we all know who he is crushing on, so, why not?
He passes his phone, and I enter my info, saving it under ‘Future Badass,’ and pass it back. “Here you go.”
He takes one look and laughs. “You’re insane, but I love it. It’s fitting.” His smile is infectious, and my cheeks rise, reflecting his.
“Leave Jace, or so help me, you won’t have hands to blog with,” Yasmine yells. He pops in a pair of earbuds and faces her with a flirtatious smirk, winking, and running out before she can retaliate.
I ponder what kind of music he listens to. What they all listen to. They don’t eat but use technology and enjoy music, amongst other things. Weird.
“Wait until morning. That shit won’t work a second time,” Tish murmurs, walking past me. I remain silent, knowing there is a high chance she will indeed aim to embarrass me. Today I was lucky. Tomorrow…we will see.
Yasmine approaches, finishing whatever she is typing. “Angie told me you’re special, but what you showed today was impressive. Do you realize what you have at your fingertips?” She takes a seat upon my desk, dawning a serious expression.
“Angie spoke to you about me?”
“Of course she did. We’re in the same House after all. Rank sixteen but not for long. I’ll be taking out a few higher classmen.”
“Yep, dumb question, and I’m not surprised. I can tell you were holding back.” Fangirling one-oh-one, don’t expose how close you’re watching them.
“Checking out your competition, I see.” She chuckles, and I blush.
Just a little bit. “Anyway, we’re here to discuss your magic.
If it’s what I believe, you have the potential to become an amazing fay.
” Yasmine lowers her voice. “Your road is long, but if you don’t cut corners and practice, there’s no limit to what you can do. ”
My mind can’t keep up with what she says, and my frowning response invites a giggle from her, which doesn’t help my case. “Okay,” is all I can muster, not understanding where all this is coming from. I created a shield by mistake–half mistake. Fuck it, I created a shield.
“Listen. The Gods don’t make mistakes, Kyra. Never second guess yourself and never forget who you are. If you need anything, I won’t be too far away. Just wish for me, and I’ll appear.” She winks, and just like that, Yasmine vanishes, leaving a cloud of blue smoke in her place.
OMG, She’s a Genie!