“How’s it going?” I asked as I leaned next to him.
Brandon shrugged. “She was easier to convince to train than this.” Brandon shook his head. “Jade and her got into it on the drive here.”
Even standing this far away, you could feel the tension between them. It was rare that Nora and Jade fought; I wasn’t even sure if we could consider this one.
“What’s the deal?”
“Jade doesn’t sense anything in her. When she tried pulling it out last night, nothing happened. Nora doesn’t think she has any.”
We watched as Jade pulled her magic out, fire wrapping around her fingers in a dance. She then threw it at Nora. Nora threw her hands up, and I jumped, ready to start yelling, but then it disappeared.
Brandon even pushed up. “What just happened?”‘
Nora looked at her hands in wonder. Jade’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“She blocked it. She wouldn’t have been able to do that if she didn’t have magic.”
Jade threw her hands up in a cheer, and I could hear it all the way over here. I couldn’t help but smile, knowing there was no way to deny that.
Over the next week, Nora and Jade trained together. I would ask Nora about it at the end of the day. She still couldn’t pull out any magic, but she could block Jade’s. She still didn’t feel anything like she had before, and while she was able to agree she might have magic, she couldn’t use it.
On Friday, I decided to stop and watch. Nora and Jade were in the sandpit, holding a fighting stance. Jade threw a fireball at her, and Nora dodged it. I watched them go after each other, using the hand-to-hand combat they had been trained in.
I couldn’t help but be amazed at how well they danced around each other. Even if Jade was using magic, Nora was holding up well. She dodged each attack, able to stay strong.
I could see she was determined to prove a point, the same determination she had when we started training. I know Nora and Jade only joined because they were forced to, but I also saw the way they both lit up during it. After they learned proper technique, they were stunning to watch.
I watched Jade throw her elbow back, smacking Nora in the face. The sound echoed for a moment as Nora tumbled back, landing on her ass. I couldn’t help but smile seeing how far they had come.
I clapped, getting both of their attention. They were panting, covered in sweat, as they looked at me. “You guys look great.”
Jade wiped at her forehead. “We’re equal, but I still have the upper hand with my magic.”
Nora looked frustrated as she got up, rubbing at her cheek that was a little red now. “I’m getting better.”
“Still unable to pull it out?” I asked, looking between them.
Jade nodded. “Yeah. We’re thinking of having Chelsey or Marie see if they can get it out since I’m still pretty new myself.”
Just then, the sound of a phone going off made all of us pause. Jade turned around, looking at her bag. She pulled it up and scowled. “Shit, is it already nine? I’m late for my meeting with them.” She looked at Nora. “Do you want to join me?”
Nora shook her head. “No, I’m going to keep practicing.”
Jade gave her a nod as she pulled her bag up. “Okay, same time tomorrow.”
Nora nodded, and Jade hurried off. I watched Nora’s face fall as Jade walked away.
“You look unhappy.”
Her eyes snapped to me. “Because I am. We’ve been doing this for a week, and nothing has changed. I don’t feel anything.”
“It doesn’t happen overnight.”
“Easy for you to say, you can shift. I’m a witch that can’t use magic. We aren’t struggling with the same thing.”
I hated how she compared herself. Everyone was different, and I wanted her to know that. I threw my bag down. “Alright, let’s see what you have.”
Her eyebrows went up. “Excuse me?”
