Magic Academy 1: The Fire Test by E. R. Ross

Author:E. R. Ross
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, young adult, magic, Sword & Sorcery, steampunk, fairytales, Multicultural, United States, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Historical, African American, Multicultural & Interracial, Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Superstorm Productions
Published: 2015-10-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Night

“Whoa!” Arif shouted, jumping up. He performed a series of lunges, twists, and complicated hand movements. The cold mellowed, then a blast of warm air blew over them.

He stopped with his hands in the air, panting, and looked around. “I’ve got it now. Everyone all right?”

Violet and One Eye nodded.

“Still have enough power up your sleeve?” Delia asked.

“Enough to spare,” Arif said as he sat. He cast a glance at Lace and Raj.

Whatever had passed between them was gone—the moment had drifted by. A wave of sleepiness washed over Lace. Time to make a bedroll and see if she could rest under the circumstances.

It wouldn’t be fair to keep Raj’s tunic when he had nothing but skin to lie on. She took it off and handed it back to him. “It’s getting warm.”

He took it and their fingers touched. “We could . . .” he started, then faded off.

She shook her head quickly.

She’d not sleep with him, even if she needed extra warmth. Which she didn’t. Since Arif was keeping all the cold at bay, like a blanket, their body heat was warming the place up so it was cozy and comfortable.

Raj rolled his tunic up and used it as a pillow. He lay behind his chair on the ground with his back to the group, facing the fruit trees. Her heart turned towards him. He looked so alone.

She stayed in her chair. After clearing her place of bowls and silverware, she laid her head on her hands, relaxing.

But once her muscles released, her mind came alive.

She closed her eyes. Her father’s goodbye, Moth Valley, meeting Raj, the elk, Kaina’s mystery, the students, the maze, the writhing mass of snakes—it all kept going around and around her mind in an endless cycle.

Even at home, she had trouble sleeping. Her father had been suspicious of it, for she usually complained when he told her to go to bed. She’d always felt there were far more exciting things to do: reading or drawing or talking with her sister. But now she wished she could sleep; her body needed it.

Her muscles ached and her brain felt fuzzy.

The sound of sleeping rose around her—quiet shuffling of clothes and deep, peaceful breaths.

She blinked sleepily and watched Arif. He was motionless, but she could tell he was exerting a lot of energy to keep the curse at bay. Sweat dripped off his chin, and his fingers trembled. His stamina was impressive—until she thought of how far she’d flown that morning—and realized she had just as much endurance as he, only in a different field.

Light flickered off his caramel colored skin. He looked up to the sky, and the green glow reflected in his eyes. He shuddered, and a gust of cold wind invaded. He was quick to push back, meeting the eyes of the wakened sleepers guiltily.

“You all right?” Cannon asked, not moving from his place.

“Yes,” Arif said sharply.

Finally giving up on sleep, she stood and went to him. She sat in the empty chair beside his and rested her elbow on the table.

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