Page 29 of Starlight Mates

Hollis turns it off and looks around, pointedly not glancing at me for more than a second. “Good, you’re getting better,” he drawls, looking to his right. “You still look pale, Axe.” Axe drops his head and Hollis smirks. “The lesson begins now.”

We all follow him out, knowing better than to make him wait for even a minute with his short temper. The class quickly goes about stretching and warming up before running laps and going back to the training pit. My stomach is toner than it’s ever been, thanks to the running and training every single day. I’ve been training for years on the run, but that training was more for my magic than it was for my body. I learnt how to be quick so I could run and how to fight someone off in close combat, but now I’ve learnt how rangers hone their skills and how to work as a group.

As usual, I expect Hollis to start calling us to gather around the training ring by the cliff side. I don’t bother walking too much closer because he never shouts at me until last. He makes a show of pointing out that I must not be watching anybody else fight when he easily beats me. I remind myself over and over—a monster deserves this. I deserve this.

I’m surprised to see the training ring isn’t empty at all. Finnegan and Onyx are in the middle of it, talking between themselves. Whispers burst out and several people look my way, wondering if they’re here for me. Spoiler, they won’t be here to see me when Onyx is mad at me, and Finnegan has hated me since the beginning. Annie walks to my side, stopping close and brushing her arm against mine in comfort. “Did you know they were coming?”

“No,” I whisper back. I would have warned her and then possibly gone as far as eating rotten food to make myself sick to avoid this class. Hollis moves to stand at their sides and claps his hands once. The silence that rings back is swift.

He may be an asshole, but most of the class admires him, and it’s got everything to do with how well he teaches them when he actually gives a shit. I just get the torment because of our bond. “You’ve got a special lesson today, class. These are some of the academy’s best trained rangers, and both of them broke records in combat and skills in their time here.” Of course my arrogant mates did. “My two brothers are here, and I won’t bother introducing them because you know their names. They both volunteered to show you what you will fight like at the end of this academy and score a personal indifference between them.” What personal indifference? “I want you to pick your winner and stand on the right or left. Right side for Onyx and left for Finnegan.”

The crowd splits up pretty quickly, but I don’t move from the middle, and neither does Annie. I’m not choosing or betting. I don’t want to see them fight either, but with no one else in front of me now, I have a perfect view. Finnegan and Onyx look right at me for a second before they shift their gazes to each other. Hollis scoffs. “Ignore her. I’m surprised she isn’t running away already. Her tan is letting up.”

I have to bite down so hard on my tongue to stop myself from throwing insults back. I’ve learnt Hollis likes it when I insult him. The sadist bastard. Onyx and Finnegan seem content to ignore me, like Hollis suggested, and Onyx draws out his Nex weapon. I’ve never seen it before. It’s almost like a curved axe, but all of it is made of gold metal, and it’s double sided. There’s a handle right in the middle where Onyx holds it and braces himself.

Finnegan owns a beautiful sword as his Nex weapon. It’s all black, matching the dark shades of his hair, with stars drawn all the way down to the hilt from the tip. Each star is glowing a beautiful silver colour, a contrast to the yellow glow of Onyx’s axe. They’re both in loose dark joggers and a dark vest, showing off their muscular arms and toned bodies. They remind me of afireman calendar that hung on the walls of one of the hostels we lived in for six months. It only had one page left, just December, and it was the only decor on the wall.

This is going to be enjoyable to watch at least. I feel eyes on me, and I turn to the right to see Rochelle standing by the group, her arms crossed and a hostile look in her eyes. My Nexus riles in my chest and sends images of Rochelle ripped to pieces into my mind. Fucking hell. I drag my eyes away and push my Nexus down with a thud.We can’t murder her!Hollis goes over to Rochelle with all smiles, which doesn’t help my Nexus situation, but I roll my eyes instead and look forward. He. Is. Not. Mine.

Finnegan and Onyx wait for Hollis to blow a whistle before they attack. It is like watching two storms out at sea, crashing straight into each other, and the rumble can be felt for miles. Finn is good and impressive, but so is Onyx. Whereas Finnegan is a bigger guy and taller, Onyx uses the fact he is quicker to his advantage. The clang of their Nex weapons rings in my ears as they slam into each other and neither one of them moves. Finnegan smiles like a mad man enjoying the best meal of his life, and Onyx looks determined. Onyx blocks effortlessly and my eyes widen in surprise. I knew they were seasoned rangers and they were going to be good in a fight, but the way they move is something else altogether.

Finnegan lets Onyx attack, blocking some and mostly taking every hit, every blow, but I can see how he is still in control. I can barely keep track of who is winning. After a while, they both dominate the area like Gods. The groups on either side are cheering loud enough for all of Starlight to hear, but I can’t peel my eyes from the battle. Annie touches my arm. “They make us look like toddlers fighting with sticks.”

I don’t disagree with her. I completely get why they think we are funny now. I’ve only seen one person fight like they do—my father. I thought he was a legend, and it’s clear he learnt from theacademy. Coming here might have been my secret way to be like him. I always wanted to be able to fight like he did, but he told me once that the only way to fully be at the top of your strength is to be fully connected with your Nexus. Working together in every move, every decision, until you are completely one. For me, that will never happen.

She is a live wire, and I’m the bucket of sand putting her out. The chants from the crowds are deafening as Finnegan and Onyx get sweaty and even more delicious. My Nexus watches from my one eye, and she is loving this as much as I am. Finn manages to elbow Onyx in the stomach before grabbing his arm and flipping him over his shoulder. I wince as Onyx slams straight on the floor, and I think it’s over, but it’s not. He uses his Nex axe to push himself up in one fluid movement and swings it round, launching the axe straight at Finn’s throat. Finn smirks and holds his one hand up.

Cheers ring out from the group on Onyx’s side, and Hollis is clapping loudly as he walks to them. “And we have a winner. Nice move, Onyx.”

“Thanks.” Onyx wipes the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.

“The winners of the bet are free to do what they want today,” Hollis states, followed by more cheers. “As for the losers, people are needed to decorate the academy for Halloween tomorrow. Head to Tutor Jettie and offer your help for the day. I’ll be checking in.”

Groans and grumbles echo from Finnegan’s side before everyone starts to walk away. Annie and I look at each other, but I speak first. “We didn’t lose, so technically we are free. Dickhead doesn’t seem to be bothering with us, so I’m taking the day.”

Annie looks at Hollis once and then grins. “Perfect, Kos is coming later tonight to pick me up for a few hours. We are trying a new restaurant.”

“I’m jealous.” I bump her shoulder. “How is it Halloween already?”

Her eyes brighten with excitement. “Halloween is fun for us though. Our Nexus love it. Also, have you forgotten the game is on Halloween? So tomorrow? It will be themed, and it will be really cool. I bought you an outfit to wear. Please don’t get mad at me. People dress up for the game; it’s not… Well, people just do, and I thought you might want Rhodes’s team symbol to show support.”

“I almost forgot, to be honest, but I’m excited. Thank you for buying me something, and I’m repaying you,” I firmly tell her. She shrugs and I know she won’t accept any money from me. She is just as stubborn as I am. Onyx’s laughter drifts over, and I’m drawn to him, to the comforting sound. “You get going, I’m just gonna go over to wish Onyx good luck and then head for a walk.”

She hugs me briefly before walking off, and I head to the group. Finnegan watches me as he rubs a towel across his sweaty face, and Onyx looks wary as I approach. I should be happy about their reactions to me, but it sinks my heart like a rock. Hollis looks at me like I’m a bug trying to climb onto the picnic blanket to steal some bread. “What the fuck are you still doing here?”

Onyx’s voice is low. “Don’t speak to her like that, Hollis.”

He glares at me, and I sneer right back at the asshole. I turn to Onyx. “I just wanted to wish you good luck for the game tomorrow. I probably won’t see you before. That was it.”

Onyx looks surprised and inclines his head. “Thank you, Gwenieve. It will be good to know you’re out there.”

It’s so cold between us now, so fractured, and I did the task my parents trained me to do. Break them, hate them, and never let my mates close. Hollis scoffs. “Piss off, then.”

Finnegan growls and moves between Hollis and me. “Fucking enough, Hol. You shouldn’t speak to any woman like that.”

“Like I give a shit what you think, either of you. I’m not playing by your rules or respecting her.” He doesn’t engage with Finn, choosing to just leave, but Finnegan grabs his arm, and Hollis turns. “Get the fuck off me, Finny boy, or we will have a problem.”

Finn shows all his teeth when he smiles. “Is that a challenge?” He lets Hollis go and Hollis stands his ground. I don’t think I could cope with them fighting. It would be like watching two pieces of my soul tear each other apart.

---