James tenses as his brother comes closer, the look on his face causes my stomach to twist in a knot.
"I thought, along with everyone else, that you two died going after Elliana."
James completely blocks me with his body as he glares at his brother. "You almost sound like you wish we did, brother," he spits.
Rider shrugs. "You know you really shouldn't have gotten my hopes up like that. I thought finally, our family could get rid of it's one disgrace. The thorn in our side. The black sheep if you will, but no, you just had to come back, didn't you?"
My blood is boiling as I step in front of James and place my hands on my hips.
"How dare you? James is a better witch than you or anyone in your family will EVER be."
Rider chuckles. "Is that so? Why don't we go at it then? A duel between brothers. Loser gets disowned by the family. For good."
My mouth drops open but before I can say anything, James places a hand on my shoulder.
"Deal. Three days from now, in the courtyard. Don't be late."
Rider nods. "Fine."
His eyes flit to me. I shift uncomfortably under his gaze as he rakes it over my body. The look in his eyes causes me to fold my arms over my chest.
"You, I would've missed had you actually died, Jackie." He winks before striding out of the room.
James turns to face me, the look on his usually gentle face scaring me.
"What is it?" I ask.
A muscle in his sharp jaw twitches. "I don't like the way he was looking at you. Stay away from him if you don't want me to become the boy who murdered his brother."
I nod. "Okay, wasn't planning on going near him anyway."
He sighs. "Let's focus on training for now. I have to win that duel."
....
After training for a few more hours, I make my way back to the girl's dorms for a shower. Inhaling the steam from the water, I let the hot streams beat down on my back, washing away the pain and suffering of the past few weeks. Images of the horrid journey run through my already aching head. The flames from the fire I was to be burned in, Vivian being burned to death alive, the finger dinner from the leader of the Finger-Less Coven. I swallow and force the contents of my stomach to stay down. Twisting the tap, I turn off the water and wrap myself in a warm towel and head back to my room, feeling more than a little grateful for the fact that I don't have any roommates. Slipping on my black sweats and a tank top, I climb into my bed and close my eyes.
I slip straight into a nightmare.
*nightmare*
I am strapped to a pile of stakes with flames licking at my feet. I look around while inhaling sharp painful breaths. Men, women, and children hold up signs that all have a variation of the same message. "Burn the witch!"
*end of nightmare*
I awake in a cold sweat. Reaching for the glass next to my bed, I gulp down the lukewarm water in it. My eyes flit to the clock on the wall, 3:00 AM. I won't be able to sleep.
.......
A few moments later I'm in the training room in my sweats and tank top, my wand at the ready. Three practice dummies are lined up in front of me. They are specifically designed for spell casters. I inhale a sharp breath and recite the spell to turn someone into a flower. Whispering the incantation, I wave my wand and close my eyes. A moment later, I open them again. My smile falters.
Several vines are growing out of the dummy, originating from nowhere in particular. I sigh as they wrap themselves tightly around it.
"Need some help?"
I jump at the sound of Rider's voice floating into the room. Raising my wand, I shake my head.
"I have no use for your help, thank you very much."
He raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
I jut my hip out. "Yes, now please leave. Your presence is disturbing me."
He raises the other eyebrow. "Is it?"
Rider closes the distance between us.
I back up until I hit the wall. "What do you want from me Rider?"
A cruel smile overtakes his features as he places his hands on either side of my head on the wall, trapping me.
"You know, a young girl such as yourself really shouldn't be alone in the training room, especially at night."
"I can handle myself," I huff.
"Sure," he whispers, leaning in even closer. I struggle to push him off of me. His hands drop to my waist as he moves his face even closer to mine.
"Move," I order.
He shakes his head. "No, I don't think so Jackie."
I whisper a quick incantation before pressing my fingertips to his head. He stumbles backwards. I use the opportunity to run from him. I have no idea what the spell did and I don't care. I dash all the way to my dorm and slam the door shut. Sliding down into a sitting position, I lean my head back and close my eyes, but not before reaching up to lock the door first.
....
I awake the next morning to find myself still on my dorm room floor. Standing up, I dust off my clothes and switch them out for a black t shirt and midnight blue jeans. The cafeteria is in an uproar when I arrive, running right into James. He catches me before I fall.
"Are you okay?" he asks.
I nod. "Are you? You don't look well," I say, examining his pale face.
He doesn't have a chance to answer as the intercom crackles to life.
"Will James Rayven Come to the main hall please? Thank you."
James leaves a moment later and I am left to fend for myself in a room filled with people who attended my funeral.