Priscilla gave Viv and me the go-ahead and we started our match. We trained just like we had at home on the beach, not holding much back but staying in control of our magic and bodies. The students knew our levels now, and that I was ether, so there was no point in hiding it. That felt good.
Viv knew how I fought—the product of training with each other since we could walk—so it was a fun fight. We started our fights without magic; something about a good fight with nomagic soothed my soul. It reminded me of the time with Ender in the gym. I had needed to get my frustrations out that day. It had been when Miss Lee had come after me with her vines, and after that, I’d had that breakdown in front of Ender, so it had been therapeutic.
I kept my magic at a lower level, knowing it could be dangerous. It took more focus to create smaller fires than explosive ones. The day had been exhausting, and I didn’t like the adjustment from break. Though I had friends, I knew a lot of the other kids considered me a dangerous, unknown liability.
“Good work,” Priscilla said when the timer finished.
Head Trainer Murphy popped over to speak with Priscilla before heading back over to her group. She called out Ender and David’s name next. I tensed. I doubt Ender would take anything out on David for giving me the book, but a small part of me was apprehensive.
I caught sight of Gwen and Nick at the other match. He frowned and whispered something to her. I wondered if it was about the match. If I was closer, I might’ve been able to make out what they were saying.
“Ender and David are going against each other?” Viv took a swig of water.
I didn’t say anything.
“Oh, that’ll be good.” April came over, pointing at the other training match, and Viv gave her a shove. “What? They’re both good fighters. It’ll be good for David to fight someone with power and skill. He could use it.”
I tried to focus on the next set of girls to fight, but my gaze kept wandering to Ender and David. It had been a minute of back-and-forth sparring with no magic yet. It was clear I wasn’t the only one watching them. The majority of the students in my group kept glancing over at the match, hushed whispers and appreciation in their eyes.
The sparring picked up, and I wondered how David was going to fight with his gloves on. I hadn’t seen him fight yet.
“Now that’s hot.” Sydney came over, nodding in the direction of the other match. April gave a light smack to the back of her head. “What? I’m just repeating what I heard while walking over here.”
“Did you find your shorts?” I asked Sydney, who knew very well I wasn’t asking about her shorts.
“Yes. Right where I had left them.” It had been Sydney’s turn to check on the contraband hiding in our room.
“It’s nice to see you’re back in time for the last fifteen minutes of training.” April gave Syd a disapproving dip of her head.
David sent a quick kick at Ender’s stomach—a kick I barely registered—and Ender only deflected part of the blow. He didn’t show if the kick had phased him as he spun into David, taking him to the ground. Hoots and hollers came from the students surrounding them but ceased once Ender stood, his shirt in flames.
How?
David, his hands still gloved, pushed himself off the grass.
Ender grasped the hem of his shirt, his air magic helping snuff out the flames as he moved, and dragged it over his chest, heaving it to the side. Smoke trailed from the material on the ground as the sparring continued.
“David’s been holding out on us,” Sydney commented.
“Not holding out, but holding back,” I corrected. Level fours could use their element on any part of their skin. The rumors of David’s power had been accurate. “Remember the dark mage he incinerated?”
“Right,” was all Sydney said as her gaze never left the match.
Tension prickled at the base of my neck, and I rubbed at it. Something dark flicked in Ender’s eyes as he stepped away from David, momentarily faltering. His gaze flashed to me, andI narrowed my eyes in question, but he didn’t acknowledge my gesture. Internally, I reached for our subtle but growing connection, but there was nothing.
Ender was panting, like he was battling to get control of himself. In the momentary distraction, David’s elbow collided with his face, whipping Ender’s head to the side.
“Watch it, David!” Trainer Murphy shouted from the edge of the circle. Face shots were not allowed.
“Sorry, mate.” David held his hands up in an apologetic motion.
Ender straightened, his nostrils flared and his dark gaze locked onto David, whose eyes widened. Panic set low in my stomach. That look … Ender never had that look, even when we fought dark mages.
The ground shook. Ender’s own fire whipped from his hands and sailed toward David. David dropped, dodging the fire missiles that struck dirt and grass, sending them up in flames. Ender hadn’t been able to wield fire like that. Priscilla’s full attention was now on the match next to us—everyone’s attention was.
All the students were about to learn they now had two ether mages enrolled at their academy.
David scrambled on the ground, getting his feet under him, but an invisible force knocked him back down.Wind. It held him there as Ender climbed on top of him.
