The Academy - Book II Editing For Publication

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Ah'Taria, The Coliseum

Kayla leaned against the brass railing staring down into the huge black pit that in minutes would light up showing the terrain the sparring match would be taking place on.  Taking a calming breath she turned to completely listen to the whining of the current members of the council and their families.

"This is pointless," whined Ronald Jordan, husband of Carrie the ninth seat.  "Th- those people," he pointed rudely toward the seven families making sure he swung his hand toward Ebony and Kaelen, "that have come to challenge us doesn't stand a chance in hades of beating one of us to be placed on the council."  Flicking his eyes toward Terry McDonald and his wife he chuckled, "Well not most of us anyway."

Carrie nodded, as she looked toward those who'd signed up for the sparring event, "Victims." Looking down at her black jumpsuit she ran her fingers over her incurvated stomach, "They will regret believing they could upstart my position on the council."

Isaiah rolled his eyes as he looked up from his device, "Please remember this is supposed to be a friendly match and -"

"Accidents do happen," interrupted Malcolm as he stared coldly toward the two non-Ah'Tarians.   Smiling he attempted to make light of his words, "Can we honestly be blamed if someone gets hurt or worse killed?" 

Isaiah glared, "Accidents can happen but for a person of your caliber to have an accident would be unlikely."

Malcolm chuckled ignoring the threat in his words, "We can't always be as careful as we want."  Turning on his heel he bared his teeth in another attempt to smile, "The lights are starting to come on in the arena."  Staring around the room he called loudly, "Who is the first seven to be admitted into the arena?"

Ebony started to raise her hand when Kaelen snatched it back down, "How hard is it to remember the plan."  Staring at her he shook his head before calling loudly, "Is it possible for us to change numbers?"  Glancing with an innocent wide-eyed expression he continued, "Can I switch numbers with her?"

Malcolm stared at the buffoon before looking at the current members of the council, "I have no issues with it.  I'm number ten so I go out with the second wave.  What say the people in the first wave?"

Chanel Smoot, fourth seat, looked toward her husband before responding, "I am number one and we have no issue with it."  Arching a brow she looked to Wanda McKinney.

Wanda, sixth seat shrugged staring quizzically at Ebony and Kaelen, "I don't care I'm number fourteen."  Looking to Houston she asked, "What about you?"

Houston Wilde rolled his eyes as he turned to his favorite paramour Lena Gallia, "She can be number five or number eight it's not going to matter.  They are both going to regret being here."

Sonya Byrd, eighth seat, giggled as she looked at her number, "My family and I are number two and its fine if she comes now or later."  Turning to her husband, Nelson, and son, Dillon, she smiled brightly, "Do you two have any issues with them switching places?"  When neither stopped conversing with each other she waved a hand dismissing the issue.

Carrie Jordan, ninth chair, glanced at the tenth chair, Terry McDonald, who shook his head before looking back down at his device.  Sighing she looked over to the other seven participants, "Do any of you have an issue?  No one on the council does!"

When it was obvious no one was going to object she turned to Kaelen, "It's fine.  You two can switch numbers."

Jacob and Lucas watched the scene unfolding silently, after everyone had spoken or gestured their consent they went to stand beside Kaelen and Ebony.  Lucas watched as Kayla made her way from the banister toward them.