Summoner

Chapter 9

Layla woke to the sound of beeping. She saw she was in the infirmary, wires attached to her arms. Memories of what happened began to swarm her. She was expecting to be in pain, but she wasn't. "Celica kept coming back to heal you more and more until you were fully healed," Ash said and she turned her head to look at him. She just felt so tired. "What happened," she whispered. "The demon was looking for something," Ash said to her. "Apparently it went to the other schools and tore up their arenas as well. No one could break through it's barrier. The barrier didn't disappear until it left. They put an end to the games for this year. Partly due to the fact we have no where to host them, and they're worried it will come back." 

She nodded, "How are the others?" "Alive thanks to you," he said. "Before you say anything, we're not mad you hid your second magic from us. We understand." "How long have I been out," she asked him. "Two days," he answered. "Did you stay with me the entire time," she asked next. She watched as a light blush colored his ears. He scoffed, "I have other things to do other than look over your pathetic self." She gave a faint smile, "It wouldn't kill you to admit you care about me you know?" She looked back at the ceiling. "It's because I care about you and the others that I did what I did, not caring if I died in the process." 

He knew that. He would be a dumb ass if he didn't know that. "I know," he said softly. She look at him again, "Of course I still think you're an ass." He gave her a soft smile, "And I still think you're a bitch." He then stood to let a nurse know that she had woken up. While the nurse checked her vitals, he called everyone who was expecting a phone call. Her mother cried in relief when she heard she had woken up and planned to be there as soon as she could. His brothers showed up a few minutes later while his parents were coming with Layla's mom. 

They went in once the nurse left. "You damned idiot," Terro said to her. "Thank you." She gave them a soft smile, "You guys don't have to thank me. We're a team." "Yeah we are," Cecil said softly to her. They talked a little more. She was doing her best to stay awake long enough to see her mother, but she didn't have the energy to speak above a whisper now. When her mom rushed in, her eyes watered. "You brave and foolish child," Sierra said as she hugged Layla to her. "Your father would be so proud of you." She had whispered it, but Layla still heard it. Her mother then fussed over her, making sure she had plenty to drink, that she had enough blankets, that she was comfortable, and that she didn't hurt. 

Lady Garia and Lord Darrolow looked at Layla and couldn't help but remember the day Layla's father died protecting their sons. History almost repeated itself, and both times there was nothing either of them could do. Lady Garia and Lord Darrolow planned on giving Layla proper thanks once she was fully recovered, for now though they had to settle on words. Once visiting hours were over, everyone except Ash left. He got comfortable in his chair as she fell asleep. 

The next morning he was reading the paper when there was a hesitant knock on the door. "It's open," Ash called out. Niko, Ky, Clarin, Zarek, Jack, and Boston came in. Niko held flowers in his hands. Ash tried to recall what they were, but for the life of him, he couldn't. "How is she doing," Niko asked him. "She had woken up for a bit yesterday," Ash told him. "She's still too weak to move though." He cleared off a spot on the table by her bed so Niko could put the flowers down. 

"Tell her we said thanks for protecting us," Niko said to him. Ash nodded and soon they left. When she woke up again she looked around. "How do you feel," he asked her. "Exhausted," she answered. She then noticed the flowers. "They're from Niko," he said to her. "I can't remember what the hell they're called though." "Delilias," she answered. "They're a symbol of rapid healing and peace." Ash nodded, "Niko and his team said thank you for saving their asses." "I don't need thanks," she said to him. "You're still going to get it," Ash told her. She knew there was no use in fighting it. 

"The nurses say you'll be here for a bit as your strength returns," Ash told her. "By the time you do get out of here, the written test for the dragon claiming qualifications will have passed." Her eyes widened slightly, "But-" "But I've already talked with Head Master Pilo and Beast Trainer Malakai, and if you have the strength, you'll answer the questions orally while in here," he said to her. "Master Pilo didn't think it fair you lose this chance after risking your life to save others. We still have a couple of weeks before the eggs hatch, and by then your strength should be returned. If it's not then you're weaker than I thought." She tried to laugh, but it came out breathlessly, "If I'm so weak then what does that make you?" 

"Better than you, like always," he said with a smirk. "In your dreams hot head," she said. "Get some rest Layla," he said to her. "No point in talking shit, when you lack the strength to back it up." She gave a faint smile before going back to sleep once more. 

It was in the afternoon when Maribell appeared in the room. "How is she," she asked Ash. "She's doing good," Ash said with a nod. Maribell looked at him, "We were all wrong about you hot head- I mean Ash." "No you were right," he said to her. "I'm a cruel and heartless bastard." "If that were true, you wouldn't be protecting us from those who may want to take us from her," Maribell said, while eyeing the pocket he tucked Layla's charms and keys in. It wasn't illegal to take a summoning charm from another. Whoever had possession of the summoning item, had control of that summoning. Ash knew it would kill her if she lost any of them. When he took over watching them, there were still too many from the other schools that he didn't trust. People would kill for half of the charms she possessed. She lacked the strength to stop someone from taking one, or all, of her summonings so he decided to protect them. 

Ash looked at her and she gave a knowing smile before disappearing back to her charm. Stupid valkeri, he thought to himself before going back to the plant encyclopedia he was reading.