Magicks & Mortals: Volume One

8 - A Familiar's Duty

*Reyna*

Reyna stood in line next to Kyrell waiting for the combat instructor to decide who would spar first. Their instructor, Mr. VonBlau, was a water demon. He had pale blue iridescent skin and dark blue horns protruding from his dark forest green hair. He was a tall demon with broad shouldered, he always wore black trousers, an Academy branded polo shirt and a half smoked cigar hanging out of his mouth.

He began calling out sparring partners from his clipboard and grinned, "And I think we'll start the class off with DiEdaan and VonCaligo." 

"Reyna are you okay?" Kyrell whispered, nudging her shoulder. 

Reyna looked at him and wiped the beads of sweat forming on her forehead.  She shook her head to clear the brain fog trying to set in, "Oh yes, I'm fine." She nodded, walking to the center of the floor to face Thane.  

She took a deep breath and watched Mr. Blau turn on the sparring box which rendered everyone outside of the sparring area powerless until there was a clear winner of the match.

"Alright, you two know the rules. No help from me or your peers. Tap the ground three times to tap out of the match. You may begin whenever you're ready." He said as they nodded.

Reyna knows Thane is an arrogant fighter, all she needs to do is damage his ego enough for him to make a mistake. She just needs to keep her mind focused enough to do this. She shook her head and took another deep breath. She rolled her shoulders, planting her feet in the floor and raised her arms in front of her. 

"You don't look so good Reyna, I thought for sure you'd chicken out." Thane laughed as he cracked his neck, his eyes darkening to black.

She rolled her eyes, "And miss the chance to take you down?"

Thane let out a low growl, his demon from bursting forth, towering over her short frame. He didn't frighten her in the least. His skin turned a crimson red and his horns were still stubby and short. While he was at least two feet taller than her now, his muscle tone was lithe and lean.

He was nothing like Lucian's demon, he would tower over Thane. Unlike VonCaligo demons, VonUmbras' muscles filled out their bodies.  Lucian had massive wings that protruded from his back and his black horns coiled to a point on his head. He was a breathtaking demon and Thane just wasn't. The scariest thing about him was his black eyes that held only death for her.

"What are you going to do little witch? Are you scared?" He grinned, putting his hands on his knees to patronize her even more.

"No." She growled, pulling her fist back and punching him square in the face. He flew back against the barrier nearly breaking through the magic keeping them enclosed. Mr. VonBlau raised his eyebrows increasing the magic around them.

Thane growled as he pushed away from the barrier and charged towards her. Reyna thought she had enough power to spar against him and keep her mental barriers intact with Lucian.

She was terribly mistaken. 

Constantly using her powers made her brain fog set in too quickly. Her reaction times were slow and her counter attacks were sloppy. Thane gladly took advantage of her confusion.

"You're weak, DiEdaan." He laughed, clawing her chest, her blood spraying across the gym as she crashed into the barrier. She cried out trying to heal herself but Thane grabbed her neck throwing her across the gym, before she could hit the opposite barrier he appeared before her and kicked her into the air.

She gasped opening her eyes just as orbs of fire rained down on her. She raised her hands, trying to summon her dwindling powers, but she was too slow to form a shield around herself. She screamed as the orbs hit her square in the chest, sending her into the floor with a thud.