Page 70 of The Last Aether

And I was grateful for it. I looked up at the large gym that housed state-of-the-art workout facilities along with a pool and areas for combat practice. Combat. The class that I’d been worried about since the moment I found out I was coming to Kingwood. And now it was here.

“Text us if you run into any issues,” Riven ordered.

Phoenix lifted his chin in acknowledgment. “You know I will.”

I started towards the large double doors, knowing that the longer I waited, the worse it would be. I didn’t look at the guys I was leaving behind and trusted Phoenix to keep up with me. He pulled open one of the doors and we stepped inside.

A buzz of voices sounded to the left and we moved in that direction. The room itself was massive. Bleachers lined one wall and thick mats covered the floor. I caught sight of red hair and moved in Kerry’s direction.

She nibbled on her bottom lip as she stared at our classmates. “This is going to be so bad.”

I squeezed her hand. “Not if we strike first. Show strength right out of the gate and then people will back off.”

Kerry looked at me skeptically. “I don’t know how much that works when you’ve never thrown a punch.”

I winced. “Just remember not to put your thumb inside your fist.”

“Quiet down.” A buff woman in her forties strode to the center of the floor.

The entire room hushed.

“You can call me Sarge. I’ll be the one getting your sorry asses into fighting shape over the next four years.” She scanned the room, her gaze settling on Phoenix and motioning him forward. “This is Phoenix Ash, but I’m sure you royal ass kissers already know that.”

Phoenix hid a laugh behind a cough as he crossed to Sarge.

She pointed out three figures standing against the wall, two women and one man. “We have healers on duty today so that you don’t have to hold back.”

A lead weight settled in my stomach. So much for taking things easy on day one.

“We’re starting purely with hand-to-hand. Each of the rings are spelled to prevent you from using your affinities. Other than that, anything goes. Just don’t kill anyone,” Sarge barked.

She motioned everyone to their feet. “I’ll be pairing you up to see how you fight without my instruction. Then I’ll get you in groups based on your skill level.”

Kerry let out a soft moan as Sarge paired her with a guy at least twice as big as her.

“Use his size against him,” I whispered. “He’ll be slow.”

She nodded and stepped into a ring.

Sarge looked down at her tablet. “Aura and Drue.”

My gaze cut to the girl across the room sending me a death glare. There was still some bruising around her eyes, but the nose itself had obviously been healed.

Phoenix stepped forward. “I don’t think that’s a good idea—”

“Are you running this class?” Sarge clipped.

“No, ma’am.”

“Then shut up, look pretty, and keep these idiots from killing each other.”

This time it was me who choked on a laugh. The amusement died on my lips as Drue prowled towards the ring that was to be ours.

There was a white circle printed on the mat and the moment I passed over the line, I felt something shift inside me. A muting of sorts. I couldn’t connect with my power the way I normally did.

Drue sneered at me. “No one’s going to be able to save you now.”

I arched a brow at her. “You were the one who needed saving last time. How is your nose feeling? Still looks a little crooked.”