As a Warrior, my Transition was minimal. I’d been temporarily filled with warmth and a tingling sensation down to my fingers and toes. I was now stronger and faster than I’d been. I also now possessed heightened senses. Even with the shower on, I could hear Shaylee moving around our room and I no longer had any need for my contacts.
As I left the bathroom, I was greeted with a cheery smile from Shaylee.
“I’m so happy you’re back,” she said. “It was miserable around here without you. Did you have a good birthday?”
“Pretty good,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“Feel any different being eighteen?”
“Not really,” I lied, wishing she wouldn’t press for any more details.
We walked down to breakfast with Shaylee chattering away. I did my best to listen to her and make the appropriate comments, but my mind kept returning to the fact that there was so much about myself that desperately wanted to discuss with someone, yet I couldn’t.
I managed to keep up pretty well as we ate at our usual table. Shaylee didn’t seem overly concerned by my lack of interest and I began to wonder if I’d magically developed better deception skills as well.
When we got back to the room, I backed my backpack, careful that Shaylee didn’t see my workout clothes. I told her that I needed to go to the library. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to convince her that I needed to study alone after she offered to come with me.
Instead of going too the library, I headed to the gym. I was pleased to see that it was empty and knew it would most likely stay that way on a Sunday. I went into the locker room and changed my clothes.
I pulled a large mat out of the equipment room and sat down on it to stretch. As I stretched, I tried to remember all exercises my grandmother had insisted I practice. I stood and did my best to work my way through them on my own. As I did, I envisioned myself as a powerful Warrior defending my charge from evil and quickly found myself giggling.
“Would you care for a sparring partner?” an unfamiliar voice echoed across the gym.
I spun around to see Aaron Tremain walking over to me.
“No thanks,” I replied.
I remembered what my grandmother had said about the Council. The whole school, except Shaylee, knew who Aaron was and his involvement with the Council. He was a dangerous Mage even if you were completely loyal to the Council. Given what my grandmother had told me about the Council, he was even more of a threat.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
I was surprised by how different his voice was from the few times I’d heard him speak in class. His expression was open and almost kind. It was vastly different from the permanent scowl that was typically glued to his face.
Despite how approachable he currently seemed and the knowledge that I really did need a sparring partner, I was reluctant to have him anywhere near me.
“I’d really rather learn on my own,” I told him.
“If you want to be a powerful Warrior, you’re going to need my help,” he said.
I wasn’t sure how he knew I was a Warrior, unless he’d done a background check on me. Instead of being offended by that possibility, I chose to think that it was likely, given how long he’d lived, that he could spot the different Clans without much effort.
“Why are you so interested,” I asked, nervous about his intentions. “I’m sure, being a Mage, you have better things to do.”
“Let’s just say I want you prepared.”
“Prepared for what?” I asked.
“The future.”
There was something about the way he said ‘the future’. It was almost like he was was warning me about something. There was also the look in his eyes. It wasn’t the angry self-centered look he’d been parading around the school. He seemed to genuinely want to help me.
He walked over to the mat and began removing his shoes.
“I want you to know,” he began as he untied his shoes.
I sat down and followed his example.
“You shouldn’t worry about beating me in the beginning. I’m not a Warrior, but I’ve been doing this for a very long time. With hard work and practice, you will soon put my skills to shame.”
We stood and Aaron adopted a fighting stance. I could tell by his form that he knew what he was doing. I followed suit.
“Nice form,” he said. “Now attack me.”
“What?” I asked, incredulously. Based on his reputation alone I knew better than to attack him.
“The only way you’re going to start learning is by doing. Attack me.”
“I already know how to fight,” I said. “I’ve been studying martial arts for years.”
“Of course, you have,” he replied. “But you’re through your Transition now. That makes everything different. Now attack me…unless you think I’m too much for you.”
His arrogant attitude and cocky grin were what did it. I lunged toward him; my fist squarely aimed at his face. Without realizing what was happening, my feet suddenly disappeared from underneath me. I hit the mat, hard.
I looked up to see Aaron smiling down at me, looking very pleased with himself.
“What was that for?” I growled.
“That was to get all the anxiety you had about hitting me out of the way,” he explained. “And to show you that there’s much more to learn than just basic fighting skills.”
He reached down and offered me his hand. I took it and he pulled me to my feet.
“Now you can just focus on me as someone
