SandiBell

*Excerpt*
 “I’m not going anywhere.” Sky said cutting him off as she gave him a cold, rage-filled smile. The male also smiled back; his grey eyes filled with delight. 
	“Then I challenge you.” He said. Sky pulled her fans from their belt.
	“Fine. Dain Caellustria is the witness. I’ll get him and meet you at-”
	“Why go anywhere?” The male asked conversationally as Sky felt air moving above her head. 
	She jumped to her right as a blade of air slammed into the ground. She dodged again as a yellow gray bolt of air flew at her. Left, right, back, down, over, she moved. 
	She knew she couldn’t keep this up though. Unfurling her fans, she ran at him, dodging as she closed the distance. A big, blue-gray cloud appeared in her path and seeing it, Sky hesitated a second too long. One of the smaller darts bit into her left side. She was too angry to feel it, even though it tore deep into her flesh. 
	The cloud started moving for her. As quickly as she could, she spoke the words for the magic shield spell. It exploded into being around her just in time. The cloud hit it and a violent wave of magical energy ricocheted back at the male. He doubled over as it slammed him into the wall. 
	This was her chance! Sky surged forward breaking her shield spell and sliced at him with her fans. 
	He grinned and spun, a sword flashing into existence in his hand. Hastily, Sky twisted to the side. The male’s thrust went past her. He swung sideways at her. Sky blocked with her right fan while she struck for his neck with her left. She felt a pop in her right wrist as the male jerked back out of her reach. Spinning forward with her fan blades out, Sky pressed him back. 
	She kept up a furious string of attacks but everyone she made he countered at the last second. Then she realized it. He was toying with her. Seeing the expression on her face change, the male smiled and began attacking in earnest. It was all Sky could do to block. As she spun to the left to avoid his sword, a dagger that she hadn’t seen traced fire down her back as it cut her deeply. 
	Sky staggered panting as she tried to catch her breath. 
	“You know, you’re pretty good.” The male jeered. Sky looked at him. He was smiling again but it didn’t reach his eyes. They looked like death. “You’re just no match for me...

First Term: Survival

As the others retreated, Vael threw a parting look in Sky's direction, "Go home, Loser. I won't protect you from this."

Sky frowned in confusion again, then glanced at Nola. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were downcast. Sky immediately realized Vael had been speaking to Nola, not herself. Sky's eyes fell on Nola's torn sleeve. 'Had she really been careless,' Sky wondered, 'or had it been something else?'

"Eat lunch with me today, Nola," she offered.

Nola blinked and then slowly nodded. Sky returned her gaze to Glace with a small smile. His demeanor was icy. Sky flinched a little wondering how she could have upset him now.

As soon as Instructor Drakkon finished lecturing, he gestured for Sky to follow him into a practice room.

"Is your goal to spend all year in bed?" He demanded coldly.

Sky frowned and let out an exasperated breath, "No, of course not. What a weird thing to think-"

Week 8 - 3