Page 30 of The Scars Within
According to history, if someone doesn’t channel an element by their twenty-first Burn Trial, they’ll remain mundane—capable only of lesser magics that support the continent’s operations. Mundane cadets aren’t permitted to stay at Mageia; they are sent back to their previous lives before the war college. With nothing else to return to, I have no choice but to channel an element.
When I returned to our cottage after escaping the shed, it had been burned down.
It’s Sunday evening, and the sun is about to set. My friends and I are lounging in our dorm, having spent the weekend exploring the college and growing closer. Despite our odd mix, I was beginning to appreciate these girls. Laney and I made several trips to and from the library to trade in our books. So far, I am on the third novel of this series, and I’m loving every bit of it. I never knew that reading a fictional story could inspire me in so many ways.
“So, what work assignments did y’all get? I forgot to ask,” Laney spoke up.
“I’ll be a teacher’s assistant,” Cleo replied. “I’ve always aspired to become a professor. This seems like a good addition to my resume.”
“I’ll be giving campus tours to prospective Mageia applicants,” Tatum said.
“That suits you perfectly, TT,” Laney grinned as she picked through the trail mix Cleo swiped from the cafeteria earlier today.
I playfully kicked the top bunk where Laney lounged. “I’ll be manning the espresso station in the mornings. I used to be a barista back home.”
Laney tilted her head over the edge to peer down at me. “Coffee! I love coffee!”
We all chuckled. “Of course you do!” I teased back.
Cleo playfully tossed her pillow at Laney, and Tatum erupted into belly laughs. Once our giggles subsided, Cleo shifted the conversation. “Wait, I saw Rhodes working the espresso station the other morning. Or was I seeing things?”
I cleared my throat. “Nope. Not seeing things. The station was his work assignment last year, so he is now my mentor until I can run it solo for my shifts.”
Tatum chimed in, “Oh. I feel sorry for you, girl.”
I flipped my middle finger at Tatum in response, sticking out my tongue and letting out an exaggeratedugh.
“Hey, what do you all think of our team leaders?” Cleo asked as she picked through her trail mix.
“The Wylder twins? I don’t know much about them,” Tatum admitted.
Laney chimed in, “I’ve always known them. They’re from a village near mine. My parents know theirs. We used to play together as kids, but as we got older, they stopped coming around when their parents came for the trade market.”
“Shayde iscuuuuuuute,” Cleo teased with a whistle. “I wouldn’t mind being his date to the ball.”
My curiosity got the best of me, “What ball?”
“The All Hallows Eve Ball! It’s like the only fun event for cadets held during the school year,” she said with a mouth full of trail mix.
“Cleo! Do you have a crush on our team leader?!” Laney gasped dramatically.
“No! Just saying. It’s a bonus when the leaders we have to listen to are easy on the eyes. And Rhodes has that mysterious, steamy vibe,” Cleo defended herself.
“The Wylder twins couldn’t be more different. The only thing they share is being fire wielders—and having dragons!” Laney added.
“Yeah, what’s Rhodes’s story?” I asked curiously.
Laney began to respond when a hurried knock interrupted us at the door.
“There’s my girl!”
I sprang up from my bed and rushed into Aunt Cora’s embrace. She hugged me tightly, squeezing the words out of me. I was embraced by her lavender and pine scent.
“Aunt Cora, I can’t breathe,” I managed to choke out.
She released me and held me at arm’s length, scrutinizing me from head to toe. It has been so many years since I last saw her, but she looks almost unchanged, except for the gray strands blending into her long black hair. Taller than me, with a pear-shaped figure and a strong jawline.
“How are you settling in? Do you need anything sent up?” she asked with concern.
