“I’m not done yet!” Ryan hollers, throwing his palms towards the ground. I stand in celebration, adrenaline causing me to clap. His purple beams slow his fall until he hovers inches above the spikes, like a certain hero in an iron suit. He guides himself safely to the ground, avoiding the spikes, and students rejoice along with me.
“You can do this, boyfay,” the same female shouts at Ryan, and I scrunch my nose at her usage.Does she mean boyfriend?What the hell is a ‘boyfay?’He glances into the stands, finding her cheering, and smiles.
“Don’t take your attention off me!” Morgan instructs, then collides his fist against Ryan’s cheek, forcing his head backwards, and everyone quiets. Nothing but rustling trees sing in the distance.
“You think I’d be foolish enough not to cover my body with a shield?” Ryan smiles, standing upright with purple streaks of light tracing over the impact spot. Grinning, he returns a forceful strike into Morgan’s stomach, causing him to bend forward, then sweeps his legs from under him.
Impressed, pride blooms within me, and I’m alone in clapping. His moves are swift and direct. Only training can achieve that precision.
Without hesitation, Ryan slams his beams into the ground around Morgan’s head, forming an ‘X’ shape. “Concede,” he demands, prepared to sever it from his body. The creaminess of Morgan’s skin turns strawberry red with embarrassment, and he nods, signaling the match is over.
Ryan lifts a fist, and though I’m the only one standing, the crowd applauds his victory, everyone besides the two females eyeing me likeI pissed in their cheerios. One being Tish, and the other, Ryan’s girlfriend.What the fuck did I do now?
Within a blink, we stand back inside the classroom as traces of green magic sparkle out of existence. My head spins from the sudden rush.
“I hope you learned something, Kyra. You might need it,” Ashlyn says walking by. Before I can inquire about her statement, she points near Tish, who is eyeing me still, waking the sense of dread slumbering in my stomach.
“Oh,” I sigh, flattening my skirt.
“Five points deducted from House Life,” Marcel abruptly announces, sitting on the edge of his desk. “You tried hard but lost, Morgan.” Which prompts Morgan’s head to slump in reaction. “However, twenty points are awarded to House Life for Ryan’s passion and resilience. Your House’s Legacy should be proud.”
The two of them do this weird bro-hug–they both raise their hands and high-five, then bring them down into a hug, ending with a shimmying body shake.What the…Those from House Life join in and celebrate, Ryan’s girlfriend leading the charge.
“I knew you would win.” She lifts upon her tippy-toes, stretching her arms around his shoulder and locking me into her sapphire gaze. “After class, let’s meet in my room. I’m going to show you how proud I am.” My skin crawls at her announcement. Like why the fuck do we need to know that. Better yet, why is she staring at me while saying it.
“Time’s up for today.” Marcel wrangles the class’s attention. “Keep in mind, since you’re first years, this class takes precedence over the other three you have this semester. Study hard, practice your magic, and above everything else, get thefuckout.” He gestures towards the door.
It opens with force, smacking the wall and shattering all at once. Pieces fly everywhere at his unnecessary show of strength, but avoid me like they’re perfectly guided. Everyone rushes out, and I move to do the same.
“Kyra, a word.” I’m summoned before escaping. Turning to meet his non-existent disposition, Tish’s shoulder bumps mine.
“Watch where you’re walking,mortal,” she emphasizes the word with disgust.
“Maybe you–” I start, but Ryan’s plaything makes an appearance.
“Look, bitch.” She is angry, all four feet nothing of her. Cranky…Uptight…Testy…Exasperated. “He’s my man. Keep the cheers to yourself.” She squints. “You’ve been warned.” Flicking her blond hair, she follows Tish out, leaving me frowning and more confused than before.
“Kyra!” I jump at his tone, disregarding whateverthatwas, and move in his direction, still trying to figure out where I’ve seen him before.
“Yes, Professor?”
“Don’t call me that. I’m only a year above you,” he states like it’s normal. Seeing my brows pinch in response, he offers an explanation. “The Elders feel it’s best for fays in the grade above to be the ones teaching classes. We have more experience with learning magic, since we use it more often. Once you’ve reached year four, you will learn from them,” he says, retracting his gaze. Now it makes sense.
“So, anyone can teach after becoming a second year?” I think about Angie and the others.
“Not exactly. You must be within the top ten of your House’s.” His phantom blues look to me as the corner of his lip rises into a dangerous smirk. Something about those hunter green freckles lacing over them has me swallowing an unnecessary amount of times. Like they’re warning me.
“What House do you belong to, and what’s your rank?”
“I didn’t ask you to stay back to discuss me.” He stands, showing our height difference.Yep, that’ll teach me.“I’m trying to caution you. Tish is in House Fire, and from what I’ve gathered, you’re in House Death–”
“For now,” I murmur, interrupting his lectured warning. He simply rolls his eyes and continues.
“Learn your magic fast, or each day will become a death sentence. True, she can’t kill you, but that won’t stop her from getting as close as possible, especially being in different Houses.” He inches closer, keeping his eyes trained on me, and lowers his voice. “I suggest finding a spell for both offensive and defensive magic.”
With soft judgment, he traces my body, then brings his attention back to my eyes, and something familiar calls out, raising my internal temperature, causing my chest to tighten. Not knowing what to say, I slightly bow and exit. I will not be pinning for my professor…student–teacher?
Chapter 16
