Fiery Chaos (Book #1 Of The Sylin High Series)

Chapter 14

I couldn't move away quickly and I doubled over in pain as Laylahni's knee collided with the right side of my rib cage, hard. Feeling it, rather than seeing the foot, I quickly rolled over to the side and the air made a violent swish sound where my head was seconds ago. Wincing, I scrambled to my feet and doubled over again as I coughed out some blood, taking a couple of steps back from the bloodthirsty werewolf. By now we were both sporting battered faces, my face more so than hers. A bruise was already forming on my collarbone where she'd given me a brutal kick that I wasn't able to dodge on time and I could still feel the stinging pain at the back of my neck where her sharp fingernails had made contact.

Honest to God, I was already regretting my decision, she was so skilled, too skilled that it scared me. I should never had underestimated her, really what was a black belt compared to a werewolf? Not just a werewolf, a Beta who had undergone all kinds of training since she could walk? I was so stupid.

Fortunately and unfortunately for me, we couldn't use our abilities, Harvey was very strict on that. We shouldn't rely on them too much, he'd said. Already a crowd had formed a huge circle around Laylahni and I, all watching intently with excited whispers it made me sick. I refused to meet any of my friends' eyes, I refused to see the horror in their eyes. This whole thing could have ended ages ago, but my pride wouldn't let me. I was too...embarrassed to give up, and Laylahni was all too happy to torture me. She seemed to be playing with me, pretending to falter and then doing the unexpected. That was how cruel she was.

"I know your secret." she said suddenly, breaking through my distracting thoughts. Confused, I looked at her as I wiped my lips with my fist. What was she talking about?

"I know your secret, Eleonora." Laylahni said again, her gray eyes gleaming wickedly as she stood still with her hands deep in her pockets and her white hair in complete disarray. My eyes unconsciously strayed to Nati, Hailey and Derek who were staring at me with concern in their eyes.

"That's enough Laylahni. Duel's over, you win." Harvey spoke up in his hard tone, coming forward onto the mat, as if sensing something was about to happen. Nati also stepped out, her green eyes flashing dangerously, looking ready to attack Laylahni if she tried anything.

"Oh but the fun's just about to start." Laylahni laughed with glee, looking round at the eager faces that were begging to know. "Wouldn't you wanna know what your little friend is hiding?" she asked Nati with a smirk, crossing her arms as she gave me a disgusted look.

Dread. That was what I felt seeping slowly into my stomach. Just...just what did she know? She couldn't know anything, could she? There was no way, she had to be bluffing.

"First of, don't call her little like she's some stupid person, and second of, we don't care what you have to say." Nati fired hotly, her green eyes glowing now as she glared at Laylahni. Both Hailey and Derek came up silently behind her, each glowering at the werewolf.

"Stay out of this Natasha!" Laylahni growled in warning. "Mind your damn business."

"Nati stop, just stop, she's baiting you," I spoke up hoarsely, stopping her from taking a step forward and moving in between her and Laylahni. "Let's just go guys. Please."

Hailey sighed and nodded. "Leo's right, Nati."

Derek came to me then, tentatively brushing aside my hair so he could see my face properly. I tried to hide my bruised face knowing I looked hideous but he didn't let me. "We'll get you to the nurse and you'll be okay." he said softly, tucking my hair behind my ears. Mutely, I just nodded.

"But you can't leave yet, not when I'm about to spill something juicy," Laylahni smirked, then turning to face everyone else, she pointed at me, "our dear Leo was a different person before she came here. She had loving parents, a gorgeous sister, she herself was blonde and had baby blue eyes. And she was popular."