Page 5 of Black Onyx
I shut my bedroom door and throw up a quick force field to keep people out before I jog down the hallway with my last remaining bag of weapons and that damned letter the Headteacher gave me. I’m cutting it pretty damn close, so when I arrive, I skip the lockers and go straight to the gym, placing my bag off to one side before jogging to the middle of the room where everyone else is gathered. I’m immediately met with disdainful looks and snickers. I deliberately stand away from my so-called ‘Team’.
Storm catches sight of my bag and rolls his eyes.
“This isn’t a multiple outfit kind of thing.” He sneers, making everyone laugh. “You didn’t even change. Can’t expect to be able to fight in that.”
I clench my teeth and force the Darkness rising within me to settle. I can not let out my Void gift.
“I’d rather fight in something that I’m more than likely to be wearing if I actually need to fight than in loose-fitting clothes that the chances of me being in, in a combat situation is pretty damn slim. I'd rather learn the restrictions of normal clothing now than be caught off guard when it matters.” I reply, my voice becoming gravelly by the end. I'm unused to speaking so much.
“Well fuck, she got you there, Storm.” Rival chuckles smacking him on the arm.
Magnus chooses that moment to enter the room, and everyone immediately stands to attention, quieting down and wiping the smiles off their faces. My uncle pays me no mind, but I don’t miss the quick glance in my direction to check me over. He frowns as he somehow sees through my mask, and to the simmering rage churning beneath, he’s not unaware of what will happen if it bubbles over.
“Today, we will be sparring, set up teams against teams and do one on one and then add in multiples. Farren with me.” He says, grimacing as he rolls his shoulders, preparing himself.
The surrounding students obviously think he’s grimacing because of having to go back to basics and teach me. But, in reality, he’s remembering the last time he had to help me let off steam.
I stride over to him as the others disperse, realising for the first time that there are no girl teams in here.
I get to Magnus just as Storm and the others do.
“Don’t you think she should spar with us?” Storm grins smugly. “Team morale and all that.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.” He replies.
“No, I mean she shouldn’t get any preferential treatment, should she?” Mayhem comments, challenge in his eyes as he looks my way.
My uncle can sense the undercurrent going on between us and raises his eyebrow. I shrug in response. I’m happy to go up against them. However, I’m not in control enough to hold back fully.
“On your heads fucking be it, idiots,” Magnus says to the guys, causing their heads to snap in his direction, all of them looking confused apart from Storm, who just looks as stoic as ever.
“Come on then, consider this your welcome to the team.” Storm grins viciously.
“One second, Farren, come here, boys you carry on setting up.”
The guys reluctantly go over to the other team and seem to concoct a plan with them, no doubt to make it harder and knock me off my princess high horse.
Yeah, fucking right.
“How in control are you?”
“I haven’t got full control, but father got in a punishment before I left, so I’m weakened enough,” I reply bluntly.
“Fucking hell. That also means that you won’t heal Farren.” He replies, rage lighting his eyes.
“What else is fucking new?” I reply, striding over to the team.
“Alright, you're up first.” Storm grins, while Loki, Reaper and Rival all look uneasy.
Since I’m standing closest to Rival, he easily sees the scars running up my arms and across my shoulders. His eyes widen, and genuine unease and understanding start to fill them.
Nope, I am not having that. I step forward onto the mat.
The largest guy from the other team steps forward, and they all chuckle. I keep my mask in place, rivalling Storm with his stoic appearance. The guy charges at me, and with barely any effort on my part, I strike out, knocking him to the floor, following him down and snapping his arm in the process, making him bellow in pain. There’s a beat of silence before two more of the other team come charging at me. Their fighting technique is okay, but nothing special and ridiculously predictable.
I let one of their hits through to see how much power they’re really putting into it out of pure curiosity. My head snaps to the side, my cheek bursting with pain as my lip splits. Adrenaline fills me, and for the first time today, I let a savage grin break free.
Rival’s eyes widen as he nudges the others.
