The Phoenix Stone

Chapter Fifteen

"Miss Shadowstride? Could I please talk to you for a moment?" said Professor Brixton as I left the mathematics classroom.

"Of course."

"Your work on that last assignment I gave you was incredibly detailed and complex. Now I know that you're Phoenixborn—"

"Who wouldn't know that?" I asked with a bitter laugh, interrupting him.

He looked slightly offended.

"Sorry sir, please continue."

"I know that you're Phoenixborn and all, but does it really help you with everything? Everything, including mathematics?"

I shrugged. Some things I didn't know the answer to and this was one of those things. "Not sure, really. I haven't ever been not Phoenixborn so I wouldn't know."

"Fair enough."

"Is that all you wanted to ask me, Professor Brixton?"

"Yes, that is all." He hurried away, his footsteps echoing down the bright hallway.

I shook my head and made my way to one of the many beautiful courtyard gardens.

I had met a lot of people during the previous three weeks, a few of which were very friendly and nice but who never really wanted to find time to spend with me. I hadn't even spoken to Evander since that first night! Sure I'd seen him around but he was always too busy hanging around with his friends to pay attention to me. The other kids in my classes all respected me and were friendly but never made an effort to become my friend and me, being the wimp that I am never tried to make the effort in case I embarrassed myself.

So lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear my name being called at first.

"Hey Shadowstride!"

I looked up from where I was sitting on a bench studying. I recognized the voice as being one of the most unfriendly people I'd ever met. Colvin Bloodfist. Flanking him was his group of friends, Fia, Valdis, Lorelai, and Kage.

"We've come to teach you a lesson, Shadowstride," Colvin sneered, stepping closer. "You know, it's just not fair to those who've been training here their whole lives for you to just waltz in and become the best, right guys?"

His friends agreed loudly, raising their fists high in the air.

I glanced around the garden, hoping desperately that there would be someone, anyone, around to protect me from these bullies.

Unfortunately Fia noticed my glance and snickered, "Aww, little Nyx, looking for someone to help you? Don't worry, I'm sure no one will notice a little bruise on your face." She drew back and slugged me across the cheek.

I fell face first to the ground. Wiping the dirt from my tingling cheek I rose slowly, my face dark with anger.

They knew I was angry. That's what they'd come to do, anger me.

"No one's here to save you, Shadowstride," Valdis sneered, drawing back to strike me again. "It's just you against us. We'll see how your Phoenixmark helps you out now, won't we?"

I flinched as he brought his fist hard against my cheek. Once again I fell to the ground. As I stood back up I warned them through gritted teeth, "This is the first and only time I'll ask you to stop. Disobey me and you'll face my wrath." At that I smiled slightly. "I'm sure you don't want to see me when I'm truly angry, do you?"

My smile must've creeped them out a little because I could see the tiny glints of fear in their eyes but they continued taunting me.

"You really think we'd be scared of a little girl like you? We're being trained to find an army, why would we be scared of you?" Lorelai jeered, kicking my feet out from under me.