The chime ending Abilities Practical was a welcome reprieve. I wiped sweat and soot from my brow, the phantom heat of fireballs lingering in my palms. Lira remained deep in conversation with Garrick near the obstacle course. Wren landed beside Raven, flushed. "Lira's busy. Cafeteria?"
Raven nodded curtly. I fell into step, Storm fluttering down to my shoulder. Mist thickened as we approached the academy's rear entrance, flanked by towering rhododendrons.
Steps from the arched doorway, the dense foliage erupted.
Darian stepped out, sandy hair perfect, a predatory smile stretching his features. Flanking him were Jax, Tobin, the wiry boy from the library (Ryn), and a taller, unfamiliar lanky figure.
"Well, well," Darian purred, blocking the path. "Country boy. Twins. Thought you could walk away? Told you it wasn't over." His contemptuous gaze flicked to Storm. "Brought the lizard."
Before I could react, Darian lunged. A flurry of punches hammered my guard. Movement blurred—Jax swinging a heavy fist from the side. Trapped, I couldn't twist away. Jax's fist connected solidly with my jaw. Stars exploded. I staggered, tasting copper.
Blinding rage surged. I dropped my guard, drove my fist hard into Darian's stomach. Darian doubled over with a pained oof.
I blinked away spots. Wren was a whirlwind. He'd tapped his arm instantly, movements blurring. He ducked Ryn's swing, landed two rapid punches to his ribs, sending him stumbling. Tobin grabbed from behind; Wren spun, delivering a sharp elbow strike that crumpled Tobin.
Raven stood calm. The lanky newcomer charged. Raven sidestepped, his hand brushing the attacker's neck. The boy's eyes rolled back; he dropped unconscious.
Darian gasped. Jax roared, charging me again.
Storm shrieked, diving. He landed on Jax's shoulder, unleashed a focused jolt. Jax convulsed violently, muscles locking, paralyzed.
I surged past the frozen Jax, raining blows on Darian: cheek, nose, ribs. Darian stumbled, tripped, landed hard on his back in mud, blood trickling from his nose.
"Jax!" Darian croaked.
Paralysis lifted. Jax shook his head, fury replacing shock. His skin rippled, taking on rough, grey, stony texture. Flesh became rock.
"Adam!" Raven warned.
Jax lunged, stone-fist driving like a piston at my chest. I crossed my arms desperately. The impact was monstrous. Pain shot through my forearms; the force drove me backwards. My legs gave out. I landed hard on my back beside Raven, gasping, wind knocked out, white spots dancing.
Jax advanced, stony face impassive.
Wren blurred behind Jax, slapped both hands onto his stony back, poured energy in. A drain. Jax's skin dulled. He staggered, movements sluggish, sweating unnaturally. Wren danced clear as Jax turned, ponderous.
Wren feinted left, drove a vicious, buff-enhanced punch into Jax's exposed side below the ribs. A sickening crack—fracturing stone. A fissure spiderwebbed across Jax's hardened skin. His eyes widened, glazed. He swayed, crashed face-first unconscious, rocky skin fading to flesh, revealing a nasty bruise.
Silence. Ragged breathing. Darian's groans. Tobin and Ryn struggled up, terrified. The lanky boy remained out.
Raven knelt beside me, hands glowing soft green pressed against my ribs. Relief flooded me as the agonizing pressure eased. I drew a shuddering breath.
"Walk?" Raven asked lowly.
I nodded, accepting his hand. Wren stood nearby, breathing heavily but grinning fiercely. Storm fluttered back, nuzzling my temple.
Darian hauled himself up, mud and blood streaking his clothes. Rage burned in his eyes. He spat blood, roughly hauled Jax's limp arm over his shoulder. Tobin and Ryn scrambled to help. The lanky boy groaned awake. They limped away into the mist.
I watched them go, flanked by Raven and Wren. Wordlessly, we entered the academy, heading for the refectory's warmth.
We found a table. The twins fetched food while I sank onto a bench. Raven returned with stew and bread.
"Thanks," I said hoarsely, jaw throbbing. "For, back there."
"Don't mention it," Wren said, tearing into bread, knuckles scraped. "Bullies need stomping."
Raven dipped bread into stew. "Efficient threat removal. Eat. You need energy."
We ate in silence, adrenaline fading into fatigue and ache. I replayed the fight: Jax's stony fist, the terrifying lack of breath, the crack, Raven's healing light. I thought of Silas. *Never again.* I looked at Wren cheerfully eating, Raven watchful. *I have to get stronger. Protect them.*
A shadow fell across the table. Kael stood there, tray in hand. He slid onto the bench beside me. A faint curve touched his lips. He took a bite of stew, spoke low:
"Good job. Beating those five." His dark eyes swept over us. "Saw it from the bell tower. Was gonna jump in when the rock-skin activated." He shrugged. "Didn't need to. You pulled through. Cleanly enough. Good job."
Silence. Wren stopped chewing, bread halfway to his mouth. Raven's spoon hovered, posture radiating icy disapproval. I stared.
Wren slammed his bread down. "You were there? Watching? And you couldn't help?" His voice was tight with outrage. "What kind of jerk are you?" He snatched the bread back, taking an aggressive bite, glaring.
Raven didn't look at Kael. He resumed eating, precise movements, silence louder than words.
Kael met Wren's glare calmly, then turned his assessing gaze back to me. He ate silently.
I looked down at my stew, the vow echoing. Protect them. The table was fractured—Wren's anger, Raven's disdain, Kael's unsettling approval, my burning resolve. I glanced at Storm watching Kael. The path felt narrower, steeper. But the faces around the table were worth it. I picked up my spoon. Stronger. Starting now.