Erix was seated at a desk on the far side of the room writing punishment lines for having talked back to the instructor. Normally he would have been sitting beside me and acting as a buffer between Maalik and me. Since the death of Agnes, Maalik’s ire had been vented more and more frequently on us.
Though we were twins, Erix and I had very different temperaments. I tended to be more reserved, whereas Erix was far more charismatic.
Another pebble hit my head and I started to rise to my feet. Just then someone moved into the seat next to me, effectively blocking Maalik’s aim.
Davidus smiled at me and said, “Mind if I sit here, Elex?”
I saw my brother throw Davidus an appreciative smile. I shrugged and sat back down. Maalik wouldn’t dare try and hit me with rocks with Davidus there. At fifteen, Davidus had started growing like crazy, and everyone expected him to develop his Elusian powers any day. He was the eldest of King Cyrius’ children, and the King favored him almost as much as a legitimate child.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
“No problem,adelfos,” he said, grinning. “Damn, it’s hot in here!”
My heart warmed at that, and I grinned back at him. Davidus called us all brother or sister, even though we all had different mothers. He would make a good King someday when he became Elusian. I let my thoughts drift a little, imagining what it would be like the day he became King, and how he would change the rules, free the slaves, and make sure we all had plenty of food and drink.
The heat was stifling, and while I appreciated Davidus protecting me from Maalik, having another person sitting next to me just made it worse.
“I just wish it would rain,” Davidus said. “We need this heat to break, or we’ll have a horrible summer.”
“I wish there was a breeze at least,” I said. “I can handle the heat; I just wish the air would move.”
Being so close to the river, we normally felt at least some relief from the heat.
“I know one way to make it rain,” Davidus teased, ruffling my hair, making sweat from my head sprinkle across the book.
I laughed but rushed to brush the drops from the paper. I would be in big trouble if the ink ran, and Asus saw it.
More and more drops fell though, and I heard someone gasp. I looked up to see a white vapor filling the ceiling of the classroom. The temperature had dropped deliciously, andraindrops were falling all around the room, soaking all the children. The littlest kids had jumped up from their seats and were playing in the falling water. The rest of us watched in panicked alarm.
The sudden rain inside the classroom had finally gotten the attention of our ancient instructor, Asus, who finally stopped droning and glanced around the room with a frown, then squinted his eyes in concentration. I felt a sudden sharp pain in my temple, but Davidus doubled over at his desk, screaming in pain before he began retching.
The instructor stood and sighed, a look of long-suffering sadness on his face.
“Too bad,” he said, gesturing to the ever-present soldiers stationed at the door. I saw Erix was already on his feet, a look of dismay on his face as he tried pushing the guards away as they reached for Davidus. My mind remained blank, unwilling to accept what was happening.
“What’s going on? Leave him alone! He’s sick!” I yelled at the guards as they took him by the arms and began to drag him toward the door.
Maalik laughed evilly from his spot a few seats over.
“He’s not sick,vlakas, he’s Mageia,” Maalik gloated.
“It’s a mistake! He’s not! He’s the King’s son!” I yelled, running after the soldiers who were dragging him away. I grabbed hold of his hand and planted my feet, trying to keep them from taking him.
“Elex, no!” I heard Davidus say, even as another wave of pain washed through him. Then old Asus backhanded me, and I fell, hitting my head on the door post. I saw stars and felt tears streaming down my face as they closed the door in my face. I heard the lock turning, effectively imprisoning us in the schoolroom. I couldn’t contain the sob that burst from my throat.
Erix remained standing, his face stony with shock. Maalik just laughed and pointed at me.
“Look at the baby! Crying over another freak Mageia!” he laughed. Mara and Evan laughed along with him, but the rest of them were quiet. We all knew we might suffer the same fate someday, if we became Mageian.
I sniffed, rubbing my head where it had hit the post, my heart aching for Davidus. We knew that when someone became Mageia we never saw them again.
“Leave him alone, Maalik,” Erix said, planting his feet between Maalik and I, his voice a deadly calm. He stood, his ink-stained fingers curled into a fist, eyes flashing. We were the same height, same weight, but something about Erix always made Maalik back down. Today was no exception.
Just then a hand appeared in front of me, and I looked up to see Luke, his arm outstretched.
“Just ignore him,” the kid said. “Maalik’s just jealous because he’s not as smart as Davidus.”
I took his hand and got to my feet. Luke sent a glare Maalik’s way and Maalik turned back to his little group of cronies. Even Maalik wouldn’t mess with a true born child much.
