The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 20

Despite Trey's confusing hint, the following month passed as an unhappy blur for Cyan. As predicted she found it difficult to find a group that accepted her. To make matters worse, as Rustley had warned her, her disguise as an earth manipulation student in a university where the most popular were those with the strongest gifts didn't help matters. The mean-spirited Greyton had started taunting her whenever he had the opportunity. He was popular with the students and his animosity seemed to give others permission either to ridicule or shun Cyan completely. While Kael was friendly even around his friends and often invited her to sit with him, she felt uncomfortable because of Jesse and Braeden's obvious disapproval of her. Kael seemed oblivious to his friends' issues and denied anything was wrong when she asked. Cyan hated feeling awkward more than she disliked feeling lonely and so avoided them wherever possible. Matty always saved her a seat, but the rest of his table only had hostility for anyone associated with Liz's group, even if the association was in the past. So Cyan kept to herself as much as possible.

Despite being well-versed in this survival strategy, in Tebel somehow she found herself less able to cope with the isolation. Maybe it was because this time it wasn't only the students. In the Skotonia history lectures where she could actually sit with the two people still affable towards her, Master Evan made Cyan work hard to stay in his good graces. He didn't believe her ignorance of his subject and set her extra readings and homework as punishment for what he saw as belligerence. He kept trying to surprise her into answering questions about the country and acted like he couldn't quite believe she didn't know the answers.

While Rudi had mellowed in Cyan's gym sessions, her moods were inconsistent and it still wasn't pleasant working with her. It helped that Cyan had started swimming and training alone in the early morning to cope with Rudi's challenges better. Cyan had seen the I'tes training every morning and evening despite being the fittest and best warriors in the University. She realized that in order to get better, she would need to start working extra hours too. This left her more tired during the day, but she knew it would eventually pay off. Still, the only thing that Cyan had to look forward to was her lessons with Trey. He alone seemed to melt away the harshness of the day. But at night, all Cyan could think about as she tossed and turned, was how to get back home.

Cyan was heading towards the pool for her early morning workout when she heard muffled voices coming from one of the small history libraries along the corridor to the indoor gym. Wondering who would be up so early she went closer and listened. When a squeal of pain broke out she shoved the door open. What she saw made her gasp in anger. Matty was being held against the wall, his legs dangling pathetically. Greyton glared at her. Cyan and Greyton yelled simultaneously:

'Get out!'

'Let him go!'

Greyton dropped Matty and approached Cyan. She braced herself – this probably wasn't going to end well.

'Leave!'

'No.'

Greyton summoned fire from the candle into his palm where it changed color to reflect his dark green eyes, flickering weirdly.

'Get out or I will burn you.' He let the fireball grow menacingly in his hand.

She looked up at him, afraid, knowing he was speaking the truth. Glancing at Matty she saw the plea in his eyes. Gulping in fear – Greyton was so much bigger than her! She looked back at Greyton.

'Not without Matty.'

In rage Greyton shoved the fireball against her arm snuffing it out as he did so. She flinched and then looked relieved at the lack of expected pain. He gripped her collar and dragged her towards himself. Leaning low, he whispered, 'I hope that was worth it.' He shoved her back towards Matty and left, slamming the door behind him.