Chapter 14: Cassandra

Nicolette stared me down, waiting for me to make the first move. From the corner of my eye I saw Kyler bring up a wall of dirt from the ground to block Dash's streams of fire. The smell of scorched earth filled the arena. Just as I turned back to Nicolette, she hit me with a wave of water, sending me sprawling to the ground. She laughed and stood over me, eventually offering her hand to help me up. I knocked her hand away and stood on my own. Water dripped from my hair and nose. My clothes were drenched and cold, and my attitude shifted to simmering hot.

I moved away from Nicolette, my hands glowing, the searing heat working up my arms. Nicolette's face dared me to try something. Anything. Just let her have a chance to thwart my attempts to take her down. I knew never to fight with anger, but I did anyway, casting two large fireballs directly at Nicolette.