The Twins of Fire and Ice

Chapter Eight

Nix had to run to Combat Class, rushing forward as fast as she could so she could make it in time. Somehow, both Flamma and Leo managed to make it to Combat Class before her even though they had left after her.

Nix sulked next to them, Clara nuzzling her jaw in amusement. Flamma raised an eyebrow at Nix, but before anything could happen, the teacher walked in.

Nix froze when she saw him. He looked like a replica of Jay, just older.

Disbelief rushed through her, the man having the same blonde hair and green eyes, even the same jaw and nose and lips (not that Nix focuses on Jay's lips enough to memorize them...). The only difference were their eyes. Jay's were often warm and amused, never missing a beat at saying some sarcastic response.

This man's eyes were hard and cold, and when he smiled at her class, it didn't reach his eyes.

"Hello students. My name is Sir Amos Cardinal, but you may call me Sir Cardinal. Some of you may have met my son, or at least seen him. His name is Jaydon Cardinal."

Nix's eyes narrowed slightly when she heard that. There was something akin to disappointment in his tone when he talked about his son, and she was intent on finding out why.

When Sir Cardinal's eyes landed on Nix they grew wider before a sinister smile crept up face. "Well, well. If it isn't the new star student, Nix Noctis, the Touch Reader. Is it really true that with just a touch of skin to skin you can read anyone's mind?"

Everyone's eyes were on her, most of them wide with fear. Clara growled lowly inside her head, murmuring This idiot better not do what I think he's doing.

Nix silently agreed and lifted her chin up with defiance shining in her eyes. "Yes, that's true. I haven't had a chance to grab some gloves yet, but I would never read anyone's mind without their consent."

His smile grew as the students in the class backed away from her, almost as if she was disease trying to spread. "Well then. I assume you know how to fight, don't you?"

Her eyes narrowed at the question. Where was he going with this? "No, Sir Cardinal. I only know the basics, not enough to be called proper training or experience."

"Well, we should put that to the test, shouldn't we?" Nix frowned in confusion. He got the hint and elaborated. "I just messaged my dragon to send my son down here to fight you. That won't be a problem, will it?"

Nix stiffened up at the mention of Jay. She knew why he chose his son of all people. It was to see how she would do against somebody she knows and has started to care about. As much as she wanted to decline it, she knew it was a personal challenge as well as a public one. "Of course not, Sir Cardinal. I am ready whenever he is."

Sir Cardinal smirked in triumph, obviously thinking that she would lose. The only thing was, even though Nix wasn't lying about her particular fighting style, it wasn't completely true as well.

It took merely minutes for Jay to appear, and he seemed startled that I was in this class. "Hello, Father. You asked for me to fight a student?"

Sir Cardinal smiled evilly. "Yes, you will be fighting Miss Noctis, the Touch Reader. I want to evaluate her skills since she has already read several lives since the power has surfaced."

Jay looked like a deer caught in headlights. It was pretty obvious he didn't want to fight Nix.

She knew, and smiled sadly as she walked over to where he was, purposely showing off her lithe movements. When she was right in front of him, she put her hands on his shoulders and stood on the tips of her toes to whisper something in his ear.