Gryffynhall (the Danu Cycle: Fiann Trilogy Book 1)

Chapter Nine

Niamh stood uncertainly, trying to hide behind the others in her new class. They stood in a bunched semi-circle facing a mat. Two students were posed in the centre of the mat, awaiting the call from their teacher, Byrne. He made the call and the two students lunged at each other. Niamh was sure she heard a bone crack, but, if she did, the two kept fighting regardless.

Feeling slightly queasy after three similar displays already, Niamh looked away, letting her eyes fall on anything else but the students on the mat.

Light streamed through the windows, lighting up the gymnasium so it seemed to shine with its own luminescence. It looked much like the gym at her old school with its wooden floor and walls. The main change was the variety of activities that were now available to her. Instead of the basketball rings, they had a line of fighting dummies. Where you might normally see a tennis net, there was a cargo net used to practice difficult climbing. In the racks usually holding tennis rackets or baseball bats, hung swords and axes, maces and bows, and any other weapon Niamh could name, plus a few she couldn't. The only piece of equipment that looked at all recognisable was the sparring mat, though the fights that took place on it were nothing like the wrestling or judo she had ever seen.

A cheer rose up around her and she dared a look at the mat. Blood pooled and smeared across its white surface. As the loser, beaten and bruised with a possible broken leg, was carried away, the blood vanished, ready for the next pair. Niamh watched the winner standing to the side of the mat. She too, was a bloody mess, her hair looked wild and her arm hung limp. Niamh may have only been here one day, but she knew already that was a sign of a dislocated shoulder.

In this class, 'anything goes' seemed like an understatement. Even then, people usually stuck to the one rule Lochlan had told her. She hadn't believed him when he said that – it's a school, surely they don't want the students beating each other to a pulp regularly? Obviously, however, that was the aim. She shuddered, waiting for the next pair to be called.

"O'Neill!" Byrne shouted, scanning his notes. It seemed like an age until he chose Killian's opponent. "O'Callaghan!"

The class cheered again and Niamh's legs tried to give way under her. After his fight with Lochlan yesterday, she was praying she wouldn't have to come up against him. She had no doubt that if he didn't ease up for the person who was obviously his best friend, he wasn't going to ease up on her.

She walked to the mat, the class parting like the Red Sea to let her pass. Every face almost looked like a snarl, every face but Lochlan's who looked at her encouragingly. She could just imagine how excited they would be to see the new girl get smooshed to a pulp by Killian.

Niamh stood on the mat in front of him. His blue eyes glittered and he smiled an aggravatingly charming smile. She didn't need to be a mind-reader to know that he was looking forward to this.

Byrne made the call and Killian dashed forward. Niamh, surprising herself, dodged him, making sure she kept him in her sights. The second lunge she didn't manage to avoid and she landed heavily on her back, with him straddling her. He put his forearm against her neck and made to bare down. Niamh just got her hands up, but could only just keep his arm from squashing her windpipe. He leant down and he pushed harder, smiling at her still.

If only I could punch him in his smarmy face-hole, she thought. Even her thoughts grunted with the exertion of keeping him from choking her.

He leant down further, until their noses touched. His eyes flashed again. Then, he kissed her. He kissed her! Just a quick peck, but with enough pressure that it was an actual kiss.

Somehow, Niamh got one arm free and her fist crashed into the side of his head, a jolt of electricity or something coursing down her arm. He was flung sideways, landing, sprawled, on the mat next to her, completely dazed.