GAISCE (At Our Best, Book 3, Part 2 in Baile Series)

Chapter 7 Shattered Like Glass

Isla

"You look like shit." April observed.

"Thanks." It wasn't like I hadn't noticed the bags under my eyes or the pale pallor of my skin, despite my complete lack of concentration. I felt like a zombie.

"Don't tell me you're having nightmares again?"

"Fine, I won't." I really wasn't in the mood, nor did I want to burden everyone with my hardships. I also didn't think I'd ever be prepared to tell them that Anna was dead and I had a million voices in my head.

April looked as if she was about to say something when Asuka turned from speaking to a man dressed in a black kimono to address us.

"I'm going to assess all of you on strength and skill in hand to hand combat. After the assessment I will assign you to one of my classes, where you will continue to train beside my students." She announced, sporting a black and white kimono. "Kai will spar with each of you." She gestured to the man she had been speaking to earlier. "Does anyone want to volunteer to be first?"

I turned to April expectantly but it was Alick who stepped forward.

The rest of us stepped back, staying close to the outer walls as the fight began.

"No wolf powers." Asuka added before Alick could attack.

He seemed a little disappointed before throwing a punch. Kai dodged it easily, spinning away and jabbing between Alick's ribs.

I watched closely as Alick slowly lost confidence in his abilities.

Kai kicked Alick in the back and he stumbled forward before turning around with his fists held defensively. Kai moved toward him with lightning speed, throwing punch after punch in a blur that had me certain that he was anything but human. Between punches he jabbed at Alick's windpipe, then his stomach and then his knees. Alick fell to his knees before Kai finished him off with a kick to the head.

I swallowed deeply, knowing Asuka would use his poor effort to keep us with her even longer than established.

"Next." Asuka said curtly.

Alick left the middle of the room, sitting down with his back against the wall. While April took his place I moved to stand beside him, observing his already healed bruises.

"I should have become a pole dancer." Alick muttered while April took centre stage.

"No kidding." I sent him a look and he smiled slightly.

"Let's dance." April's comment redirected my attention as she circled Kai. Kai moved first and April easily dodged his attack, side stepping around him before kicking out. Kai grabbed her foot and lifted upward. April used the momentum to flip backwards, hand springing from the ground to land on her feet once more. The pair fought for another ten minutes, neither seeming to tire or run out of moves.

Kai moved his hands in a strange fashion, light intertwining his fingers as he did so. He then proceeded to use his powers to form bubble of light around April, before sucking the air that surrounded her into his being.

April gasped for air, punching at the bubble but it was no use.

"He's cheating." I cut Asuka a dark look.

"I only said that Alick could not use his powers." She contended. "You must be prepared for any enemy, an enemy with powers stronger than your own."

Kai moved his hands again and the bubble dissipated, allowing April to breathe again.

"Fuck." She rubbed her neck as she left the centre of the room. "I want a rematch." She muttered.

Devon was next. He managed to act fast in delivering punches and dodging attacks, but he wasn't as fast as Kai. Devon looked ashamed after his loss, swapping with Callum.