Blowing Embers

Chapter 49

            “Same school colour you are, in the same class together since your magic schooling you began you have been. Her name, since her torment for years and years you cruelly have suffered, in your mind should be burned. An easy question it is,” Shuu said, a false look of innocence on his face.

            Almost as one, the heads of the adults swivelled to look at Azaz, who was still staring at Shuu. Makol and Eran exchanged a wide eyed look before their eyes went to their leader. His jaw tightened, and his chin came up as Azaz’s hands clenched into fists. “No one calls her by her first name. It’s just Magan, because she’s so proud of being one, she acts like those who aren’t are trash.”

            Sevilen frowned, his mouth opening, but Shuu’s words forced him to close it again. All around him, the crowd’s heads moved back and forth to look at the speakers, looking almost like spectators watching a ball being hit back and forth.

            “Interesting. A nickname she would have, I thought. Especially since such a fearsome figure to you she is. Odd that only her last name you her would call,” Shuu said, letting a hint of suspicion colour his words.

            “She does have a nickname,” Azaz said, just a touch fast, eyes locked onto Shuu. “But that’s not her name, which is what you were asking for in the first place. And we do mostly call her Magan.”

            Kallai looked up at Shuu, noticing the evil smile that spread across his face. “Then, her nickname, what is?”

            “It’s-”

            Shuu cut Azaz off. “No. All three of you it to say are. At the same time. That way the truth of the name we will know.”

            Makol and Eran shared another look, the latter gone even paler while sweat beaded up along the former’s face. Azaz drew himself up, eyes narrowed, fists gone white-knuckled. He opened his mouth, but Shuu didn’t let him. “On my count. One, two, three!”

            Startled, the boys looked at each other until Shuu clapped his hands. Like it had been a starter’s signal, they all shouted a name.

            “Demon,” Azaz said.

“Killer?” Eran said, eyes twitching left and right.

“Heartless,” was Makol’s answer.

“That doesn’t prove anything, except she has a lot of nicknames,” Azaz snapped as the silence that had sprung up spoke volumes. “I have witnesses about her attacking us with fire. She set our robes on fire!”

           “And she not was provoked? Your memories poor are, if even which nickname hers is can forget. I there was, and what happened I too did witness. Your lies me not will fool. Only stupider yourselves do appear, the truth to try continuing hiding.”

            “You’re with her, a friend of hers, so how can we trust what you say? You’re obviously on her side, probably because you’re the same kind of freak,” Azaz spat, glaring. “And that’s without you already being some kind of weird foreigner. Your accent’s awful.”

            “Well,” Shuu said, his finger tapping against his mouth again and ignoring the digs. “If the truth you not will speak, force I must use.”

            Feeling the winds encircling them speed up, Kallai squeezed Shuu’s hand. She didn’t know what he was planning, but if he attacked the boys, even if they did deserve it, the adults would believe that they really were violent, and that they deserved to be locked up. He squeezed back without looking at her, holding up his free hand. As she watched, the winds wrapped around it, moving faster and faster, until, out of the centre of them, a book appeared.

            Shuu caught the book neatly, holding it up so they all had a clear view of it. It was unremarkable, a simple, leather bound book of the sort that there were hundreds of at the school. What was special about it, she had no idea. Not until she heard a shout.