Page 71 of The Last Aether

Her fingers flew to her face, cheeks heating.

Sarge blew a whistle. “Begin.”

Drue didn’t wait. She charged in my direction, kicking out at my side. I dodged the worst of the blow, leveling an uppercut to her ribs.

We picked up a sort of dance and I had to admit that we were well-matched when it came to hand-to-hand. Every time one of us would land a hit, the other would soon follow.

Sweat broke out on my brow as Drue seemed to somehow gain momentum. She moved in a flash, punching my injured shoulder with a force that sent me reeling. Pain burst through me, stealing my breath.

Drue’s knee came up, connecting with my chin. My head snapped back, and I hurtled to the mats just as the whistle blew.

“Time,” Sarge called.

Drue charged towards me to level another blow, but Phoenix caught her elbow, yanking her back. “I don’t think so.”

“You won’t always be around to protect her,” she seethed.

Phoenix shoved her towards the bleachers and then moved towards me. “Are you hurt?”

I nodded, pain flaring to life again as I sat up. “Just my wounded pride.”

He frowned at me. “It’s more than that. I saw her get your shoulder.”

“Okay, that smarts a little.”

Phoenix helped me up and motioned over a healer. The woman hovered her hands over me, instructing me to keep my breathing even. Warmth spread through me as her magic worked, pulling away the worst of the pain.

When her hands dropped, she frowned. “The injuries are healed, but I can’t fix the bruising or all of the pain. It might be wise to sit out this next round.”

“I’ll be okay.”

“Aura—” Phoenix began.

“I’ll be fine,” I promised. “I’ll take an ice bath later.” And I had a feeling I’d need it.

Kerry hurried over to me, a smile on her face. “I outran him! He didn’t hit me once!”

“Told you. You just have to use your strengths to your advantage.”

The happiness fled from her face. “Are you okay? You’re moving a little funny…”

“I’ll be fine.”

Phoenix growled something undiscernible under his breath.

Sarge’s whistle blew again, and she began reading off new pairings. I listened for my name as more and more students departed for their fight circles. Sarge scanned her tablet. “Last but not least, Aiden and Aura.”

“Oh, fuck no,” Phoenix snapped.

Sarge lifted a brow. “Am I going to have to remove you from my class?”

I pressed a hand into Phoenix’s chest. “It’s fine. It’s just a class.”

“Yeah, brother bear. It’s fine. I’ll take real good care of your little aether.”

A chill skated over my skin. I could still hear that assassin calling me Little Aether and the moniker from Aiden’s mouth had nausea rolling through me.

“You can’t do this.” Panic laced Phoenix’s tone.