Reclaimed (The Phoenix Chronicles Book 1) (12 page)

Chapter 13

Summer only had a chance to push herself to one knee before she could see the dark electricity flying towards her. She rolled to her right as it crashed into the ground and caused a small explosion of debris.

She growled in frustration, dug her heels into the ground, and raced forward. Ash blinked in surprise. She was on him before he had a chance to move.

Summer held her hands above his throat with an arch of fire inches from his skin.

He smiled. “Good job. I think that's your first time beating me.”

She closed her hands and the fire disappeared. “You're lucky I like you.”

“No,” he said, lifting her off of him. “You're lucky I like you or this would end differently.”

Summer rolled her eyes. “Says the guy who was just pinned to the ground.”

Ash was about to respond when his mood suddenly darkened. Summer followed his line of vision to where the elves were standing. They had been there for about a week and had done nothing but watch everyone train. More specifically, just her.

They were like some weird, creepy, annoying stalkers that just wouldn't leave her alone. At first she thought it was cool and now she was just irritated.

Summer threw her jacket to the floor and marched over to where they were standing. Vanrhyn's face stayed neutral but, Nareh looked alarmed.

“What do you want?” Snapped Summer.

“To train you,” answered Vanrhyn.

She folded her arms. “Vanrhyn, right? Can I call you Van?” She didn't wait for him to answer. “Listen Van and Nareh. I know it's some kind of miracle that you guys are here and I'm no expert but, I think training involves some kind of interaction. Watching me is starting to get weird.”

Nareh carefully approached her, her eyes transfixed on her arms. She gently lifted Summer's hand and traced the marks with her fingers.

Nareh lowered Summer's arm and smiled. “You are very special. Has anyone told you what your marks mean?”

Van glanced at her sideways. “Nareh,” he warned.

“What?” she huffed. “The girl needs to know. She's going to eventually find out and it's better if it's from us.”

Van folded his arms and continued to stare straight ahead.

“What do they mean?” urged Summer.

“They are the mark of the Phoenix. A powerful animal in the wielding world, our world, and all the worlds. You have the ability to bring your powers, good powers, back from the ashes and restore balance.”

Van finally looked at her. “You also have the ability to destroy us all. What fate and the creator has asked you to do is very difficult and that's why we're watching to see if you're strong enough to handle it.”

Summer huffed. “I've been training-”

“Not that way!” hissed Van. “If you are mentally and emotionally strong enough. Who is that boy?”

She turned to see Ash sitting in the grass and glaring at them. It made her lip twitch into a smile.

“A friend,” she answered, turning back around. “What does it matter? I can't have friends? Then you'll really see just how emotionally unstable I can be.”

Nareh grabbed Van’s arm and said something in a language she didn't understand. He growled and went back to ignoring them.

“What he meant is that sometimes distractions are bad,” said Nareh. “But you can have friends. Your happiness is important too.”

Summer straightened up. “How do you know so much?”

Nareh held up her long, sleek hand. “We are the same. The founder of this school, Geoff, was an elf. You are all descended from us.”

“Just a washed out version of an elf?” Asked Summer.

“You mutated,” she answered. “Your looks changed to adapt to this land and your powers morphed specific to your needs. That's when wielders were born. Geoff knew this would happen so he created safe training facilities to help this new race of elves.”

“People,” she said, correcting them. “Maybe we have Elven blood but, we're humans.”

Nareh grabbed Summer's hand and gently held it in hers. “The sooner you realize we’re all the same, that we're all fighting the same battle, the easier this will be.”

Summer pulled her hand back. “Then prove it. Stop sitting around and do something. If you're making history by training us, then show me how we benefit from having you here. If not,” she began to walk away, “Then quit wasting our time.”

Summer had no idea if that was the right thing to say. She was so nervous that she ran towards Ash and scooped her jacket off the ground.

“Let's go,” she said.

Once they were inside the castle Ash pulled her to a stop and behind one of the large pillars.

“What did you guys talk about?” he asked.

She bit her lip and looked around. She trusted him so why was she hesitating?  

“They said my marks meant I was the Phoenix. Some kind of magical person that can bring the power back.”

“That's all?” he asked.

She waved her hand. “Then they spewed some crap about us all getting along and being best friends. They also said the creator of this place was an elf named Geoff and we’re descended from him.”

“I'm not descended from an elf!” he exclaimed.

“Apparently you are and so is everyone else.”

“I don't believe that crap.”

Summer took a step back. “Relax. I'm not the one that said it.”

He let out a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. “You're right. They just make me irrationally angry.” He looked up at her, his eyes showing a vulnerability that she rarely got to see. “I like you but, I'm not very good at this nice thing.”

She laughed lightly and put her hand on his shoulder. “I'm not asking you to change. Just remember who you're really mad at.”

He grabbed her hand and smiled. “You're too nice to me when I don't always deserve it."

She stood up on her toes and bravely kissed his cheek. “I could say the same. Now let's go get ready. I have a feeling I started a fire under the elves asses and we'll be in for some fun training today.”

As they walked towards her dorm Summer could've swore she saw someone watching them. She turned around and stared before shrugging and following after Ash.

As they rounded the corner they spotted Tracy and Petar whispering outside of her dorm. They looked like they were in a heated debate as Tracy's arms flew around wildly.

“What's going on?” asked Summer as they approached them.

“Rumor is we're doing an elimination challenge tomorrow,” whispered Tracy.

Summer gave her a strange look. “So?”

“It's usually only done for the purpose of war,” answered Ash. He was obviously irritated all over again. His good mood had disappeared almost instantly. “They use this to pick out the strongest wielders to use them as leaders.”

“We did this too when there were a lot of wielders,” said Petar. “They were captain of their element until the next challenge when someone could take their place.”

“Now we don't have enough wielders to do that. I wonder what's going on?” asked Tracy.

Ash clenched his fist. “I don't know but, the council is really making some crazy calls without giving us, the ones fighting their battles, all the information.”

Everyone looked at Ash like he had grown two heads. He had made it clear he wasn't a man of very many words and liked to keep to himself. Hearing him rant about the council had proven two things. One, he really did hate them. And two, he trusted Summer, Tracy, and Petar enough to let his guard down.

“Ash is right,” said Petar, successfully breaking the awkward silence. “If these old men and women want this then let them fight. I am tired of being their doll.”

Summer smiled. “You mean puppet.”

“That's what I said.”

She shook her head and turned her attention to the hall that was beginning to fill up.

“I need to get ready for the day before I miss breakfast,” said Summer. “See you guys soon.”

She gave Ash one last look and then slipped into the room. It took her only fifteen minutes from getting in the shower to being completely dressed.   

Tracy had left with Petar so it was just her walking to the cafeteria. She was trying to hurry when Troy jumped out from behind a door and practically cornered her.

“Hey!” said Troy. “Where you headed off to so fast?”

Summer let out an irritated breath. “The cafeteria like everyone else.”

“I see you’re still training with Ash. How is that going?”

“Fine,” Summer tried to look over his shoulder. “Can we walk and talk? I’m going to miss breakfast.”

Troy laughed and moved aside. He fell into step with Summer who was picking up the pace.

“Are you sure that training with him is a good idea?” asked Troy.

Summer slowed down. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Did you ever stop and think whose side he’s on?” he grabbed Summer’s hand before they entered the cafeteria.

She yanked it back and glared at him. “What other side is there? You want to tell me something because I thought we were all fighting for the same thing?”

Troy offered her a wicked grin, his eyes glowing an eerie color. “We are. Some of us just go about it differently.”

With that, he walked off and disappeared down the hall. Summer didn’t know whether to chase after him, lite him on fire, or pretend it never happened. She ran a hand over her face and decided to listen to her stomach that was growling like a caged tiger. She would deal with him later.

It was packed but, she found the table she had been eating at since she first came here. Petar, Tracy, and surprisingly Ash were all eating there. She grabbed something quick and filling to eat and then sat down next to Ash.

Tracy and Petar had the same odd looks on their face from earlier as they watched him eat. Summer rolled her eyes and dug into her food. Once her stomach quieted down she was able to process everything around her.

“What do you think we'll do today?” asked Summer.

Ash raised an eyebrow. “Train.”

She elbowed him in the side and frowned when he smiled down at her.

“You know what I mean.”

“I did not know Ash could be sweet to someone,” said Petar.

“I'm not just anyone,” said Summer, wiggling her eyebrows. “I'm,” she leaned towards them, “The chosen one,” she whispered as her eyes grew wide.

Tracy flicked her nose. “That's not something to joke about.”

“If I can't crack a joke about all of this then I'll go insane. Just humor me and pretend I'm the funniest person you have ever met.”

“You are funny,” said Petar.

Summer stood up and clasped Petar's shoulder. “See, he gets it.” She threw her food away and came back just as everyone was beginning to leave.

The four of them walked on to the field and followed the crowd of students. Nothing was set up. There were no surprise obstacle courses, new visitors, or any other death traps the council could think of. Summer was beginning to become suspicious.

“I feel like it's too quiet,” she whispered to Ash.

He nodded and scanned the field. “The council will probably be announcing the elimination challenge. That's my guess.”

The crowd quieted as Jasper walked towards them; followed by the two elves. Nareh smiled at Summer before focusing again on all the students. It was subtle but, enough for her peers to notice.

Jasper's expression was serious. Since Summer had been there he had gradually gone from a loud, generally happy person, to an angry, short-tempered, tyrant. She mostly stayed away from him because his new favorite pastime was to bark orders at unsuspecting victims.

“Good morning,” he bellowed. “The elves have been our guest for a few weeks now. They've been watching us train to see just how ready we are. Well today it was finally decided that our real training starts tomorrow.”

There was an excited whisper that moved through the crowd like a wave.

Jasper grinned at the response. “Now, not many of you have had the chance to experience our next challenge. It's something your parents, aunts, uncles, and even friends might have talked about.”

The whispering was becoming louder as the excitement grew.

“A week from today we will have our first run on elimination mountain.”

There were a handful of gasps and quite a few nods of approval. It was clear that no one had tried elimination mountain but, almost everyone had heard of it.

“We need a week to prepare it. During this time the elves will come up with a training plan.” Jasper folded his arms behind his back. “Today you'll have your regular workout. Tomorrow it's their turn,” he said, gesturing towards the elves with his head. “Good luck everyone.”

“I'm going to die,” said Summer.

Ash led her to the track and away from prying eyes. “Just relax. You've gotten a lot better since you're first day. If anyone can win, it's you.”

“Thanks,” she muttered, staring at the track ahead. “Where is elimination mountain?”