“So, what now?” I asked.
“Now, we train.”
***
By the time I went back to the locker room to shower and change, I was tired, sweaty, and bruised. Aaron had barely worked up a sweat and looked like he’d just come in from a light jog.
In the end, I was grateful for his help. It was clear I had a lot to learn. He’d quickly slipped into the role of teacher, a role he filled surprisingly well. I’d even managed to forget who it was teaching me.
When I left the locker room, he was leaning against the gym wall waiting for me.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “You’ve got some serious potential. You’ll get there. We’ll meet here every day before school and every evening at eight.”
“Seriously?” I asked, gaping at him.
“If you want my help, yes.”
“I don’t believe I ever said I wanted your help,” I retorted.
“It’s your choice,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “But the future is a dark one, Jaden. In the end, knowing how to defend yourself could change the fate of many.”
“Like my ability to fight would ever matter to anyone,” I replied. “What makes you so sure about the future anyway?”
“That’s for me to know,” he smiled at me, mischievously. There was something darker in his eyes though that caught my attention. “I could always be wrong, but if I’m right not only could you end up saving yourself, but the people you love.”
I wasn’t really sure if I should trust him or not. The Council had been in control for centuries and surely had the resources to deal with most problems. The thing to consider though, was if the danger came from the Council itself. If that was the case, why would Aaron warn me about it? Regardless I didn’t like the idea of being dependent on the Council for anything.
“Okay. I’m in on one condition,” I said.
“I’m offering to teach you and you have conditions?” Aaron laughed.
“No one finds out,” I said, ignoring his mirth. “Especially not my roommate, Shaylee. She’s your lab partner in Anatomy.”
“I know who she is,” he said, catching me by surprise.
I’d assumed that we were all below his notice.
“I won’t say anything if you don’t. I’m not that interested in having the school aware of how I spend my time anyway,” he said.
“Then we have a deal,” I said, offering him my hand.
He shook it once.
“See you tomorrow morning,” he said.
I watched him leave the gym, wondering what I’d gotten myself into and if I would later regret agreeing to let him teach me.
***
I walked into the Dining Hall and saw that Shaylee was already at our table. I got some food and was on my over to her when I happened to glance over at Madalynn and Kenneth’s table.
Aaron’s sharp stare captured by attention instantly. He nodded in the direction I was headed, a warning in his gaze. I turned in the direction he indicated and saw Madalynn standing next to Shaylee. I picked up my pace.
“You’re such a waste of space, Neale,” Madalynn said, not noticing my approach.
“Back off,” I said, venom in my voice.
I set my tray down on the table, but with the adrenaline that was pumping through my Warrior body it was more of a slam.
“I was just reminding her of her place in the world,” Madalynn said, obviously unconcerned by my anger.
“I said to back off,” I growled, suddenly invading her space. She gave a sharp intake of breath as my proximity and anger registered. I saw shock briefly enter her expression before it gave way to confident superiority.
“And what are you going to do about it?” she asked, quietly. “My ancestors owned yours.”
“Well it’s a good thing there aren’t any slaves anymore, because if you so much as look at Shaylee the wrong way again, I’ll introduce your face to my fist,” I whispered, menacingly.
Her eyes widened and for the first time, Madalynn looked afraid. As she stepped away from me, her eyes never left mine.
“Now go away,” I told her, loud enough for the tables closest to us to hear.
She turned and walked quickly back to her table, no doubt to tell the rest of the Mages in her group what I’d just said to her.
I turned back to Shaylee and my dinner and sat down.
“What did you say to her?” Shaylee asked. “I’ve never seen her look like that.”
“I just told her I’d tell the whole school her dirty little secrets if she didn’t leave you alone,” I lied.
“What secrets? Jade, you don’t know any of her secrets. The two of you have barely spoken in three years.”
“Obviously I do,” I replied, sticking to my lie.
Shaylee chuckled and returned to her meal.
Sensing someone watching me, I glanced behind me and saw Aaron looking at me. He nodded once and then looked away. I turned back to my food, knowing I had done what he wanted. I wasn’t sure why he’d been concerned about Madalynn and Shaylee, but perhaps if I played my cards right, I could gain enough of his trust to find out.
Chapter 4
Shaylee
I walked into Anatomy Monday morning in a slightly better mood than usual. For some reason the day’s outlook didn’t look nearly as bad as usual. It was the last week before Winter Break and I knew the torture of school was almost over for a while.
I sat down in my seat and pulled out my notebook to take notes on the new lab. The stool next to me moved and I looked up to see Aaron sitting down. I smiled at him, but his gaze remained steady on the front of the room, as though he wasn’t aware of my existence.
I dropped my smile and looked away. I didn’t know what I’d been expecting or why I’d thought getting a ride back from town would change anything between us. Things
