“You seem impressed. One point for House Death.” Grinning, I reinitiate the spirited atmosphere. Afterall, he makes it easy. “Okay, let me know when you’re ready.” Flexing my fingers and resisting a smirk that forms anyway, I ready myself, still proud I created something new, even if it almost killed him. A surprise I’ll save for you know who.
“You’re impressive. Amazing even.” He tilts an invisible hat. “And I’m ready. Show me.”
Taking his compliment as fuel, I think about my plan. If my last attack was too powerful, what can I create to save energy?A dagger?Remembering how Ethan treated my body like a punching bag, I wish to end him and am pleased when an idea sparks.
I jog back to my spot and turn. “Okay, I’m attacking now.”
“Don’t announce it, just attack,” he instructs.
Without another word, thoughts of twelve-inch daggers set my palms ablaze, tickling with crimson hues, and a dozen of them spawn forth. They surround me with the same red glow. My beautiful creations glint as I reach out to touch one and watch as it ripples with humming energy. Cute and deadly. I note only a fraction of my aura is used.
“Do it.” Alex growls. His excitement breathes life into my own.
On his command, my babies fly, one after the other in an onslaught of attacks. I watch Alex summon a group of miniature, jet-black sigils in front of him. An anticipated thrill blooms within my chest.
He smiles, and excitement beams off his features when my daggers collide into his sigils, reflecting each one back, returning them at a much greater speed. “Shit!” I squeal. Feeling the wind of one shave past my cheek, I hit the floor, shielding my head.
As they clash into the back wall, a chain of explosions detonates, and strong arms wrap me in a protective cocoon, deflecting chunks of marble soaring across the training room.
“What the fuck!” I shout over the echo of chaos. Dust plumes, and I hold my breath, awaiting its end.How could I have been so reckless?
Time lapses until the rubble and wreckage subside. My chest pounds out of fright and nearly meeting my doom as a breeze flutters the air, and those embracing arms disengage.
“Stand up, Kyra. Without yelling,” Alex orders, and I peek through my arms. He stands with his folded, peering down with an inquiring declaration. The dust is no longer in sight.
“Are you insane? I could’ve been hurt,” I scold, erecting my posture and assessing the damage. My veins palpitate. Drowning out this excessive ringing, I gawk at the destruction. “Noo, Rebecca’s going to kill me when she sees this.”
“It’s fine.” Alex chuckles, and on command, the walls beginpatching themselves, filling the holes and becoming anew like nothing happened. “Now, let’s continue and stop yelling,” he says, turning away and placing distance between us.
A sigh of relief washes past, and I try putting this mishap behind me since he rushed to my aid and shielded me, which is crazy because he was all the way over there.
“Are you ready?” he asks, pulling my attention.
“Yeah, but what’s your verdict on my latest move?”
“It’s good. Powerful without overusing your aura. Try creating one dagger at a time and staggering them when you fire. Keep one by your side for a delay or counterattack. Perfect this technique, and the handling of your magic will increase. But for now, you’ll defend. Create a shield and maintain it while I attack.”
Damn, Alex gives great advice unlike Ethan’s stupid ass. “Perhaps I overestimated your abilities.” Shut up.I roll my eyes.
“Kyra, sometime while the moon has its glow?”
“Right-Right. One second.” I stomp out all traces of Ethan’s voice.
I’m defending, but Yasmine’s class was a mystery when it came to shields. A fluke which I’m not inclined to repeat. So, what’s strong enough to guard me from anything? A cement or marble wall? A knight’s shield or circular dome?
My brows furrow, mentally swiping through ideas like a ‘Tinder’ profile, until one presents itself worth trying. I grin.
Power tugs from my aura, encompassing me, and a dragon’s wing materializes, made of thick, translucent crystals, ruby red and sparkling light. Curving around me, it protects my front.
“Yes.” Sensing a strain on my aura, I recognize it isn’t nearly what the crescent blades cost. I can maintain it despite my muscles cramping from fatigue. It’s doable.
Alex claps once more. “Let’s test it, shall we?”
“Don’t announce, just attack.” I regift his words with one hell of a simper. He smirks, channeling his magic, and multiple dark cloudsappear. They are no bigger than my body and occupy the space between us.
Uhhh what the fuck is this?Now I question my shield’s integrity.
I fortify my dragon’s wing with more magic as blasts of lightning expel from his summons. A galaxy of blacks, purples, blues, and greens head for my shield, slamming into it with enough force to push me back.
