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Eli ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation

"Why are you so on edge?" I asked

"C’ sensation filled e

"Are you okay?" I asked him I don’t think I’d ever had the chance to ask him that before It was always the other way round

"Aleksandrov is going to help us"

"What? When? How?"

"When we leave for our first assignment at Gerald Harbor in three weeks… Aleksandrov, other wizards, and half of the school’s guardians will be there"

Hope, excitement and happiness filled my stomach

"He’s doubled up on charms to protect the school If we can make it back there, we’ll be safe However, we can’t risk it We need to draw Lucian away from his minions We need to kill him, just to be safe"

I orried that if I spoke, it would be in a high pitched excited squeal, so instead I nodded

"There’s so"

"You need to be able to use all of your elements and your sun power You’re our secret weapon, Ruby"

I nodded again

"Let’s go back to the party"

Ugh Another party Was it going to be like this every night? I didn’t go to y to Instead I joined Eli and Lucian at the dinner table and we ate the exact saht When it was over, I crawled back to my rooht and trained in today Oh well, dirty or not, I still happily welco red and white rose petals float down fro, white gown, a wedding dress My gazefaces as they watched reen mossy trees that surrounded us were so surreal, so beautiful In the branches nestled a dozen scarlet tanagers, their deep red feathers standing out against the vibrant green ers, there was one white dove perched perfectly in between them

"Are you ready, dear?" an old lanced beside me and met Eli’s handso to be an to speak His mouth moved but no words came out I strained uests shuffle in their chair but I couldn’t hear the priest

"I can’t hear you," I said but he n that he could hearand leaves hitting skin filled?

"I object," an emotionless voice called

It seemed like I was the only one to hear it I searched the surrounding bushes but I couldn’t see anyone

Then they stepped out from nature’s cloak, it was Lucian and Hunter They both stared at me, crazy-eyed No one else could hear or see them, only uests before dashing up the aisle to the altar where Eli, the priest, and I were standing

"Eli!" I screamed, but he couldn’t hear me

He turned and smiled down at me ‘I love you,’ he mouthed before Lucian broke his neck and he fell into a lifeless heap Hunter was feeding on the priest and I was left curling into hmy beautiful birds

"I told you I was a possessive man, Ruby" Lucian chuckled

"He’s ed

I lay on the ground, crying up to the sky Lucian towered over me "See you when you wake up" His muddy boot came down on my face and I was knocked out

My eyes shot open and I was breathing rapidly Sweat beads ran down my face andsure I was inme a meter into the air I slammedme out so much? It was, in fact, only a dream My body ached as I cli me they didn’t want to exercise today I convinced myself a hot shoould help loosen some of the tension, and it did, whilst I was in the shower at least

I ruh my boxes and found a pair of track pants and a pink tank top Good enough

"Right on time," I mumbled to myself when Eli knocked on my door

I opened the door and a smile broke over his face

"You’re a fast learner"

"Kill or be killed" I shrugged

Eli’s smile faltered

"I’ was harder than yesterday We warht on to weights When that was done, we practiced defensive fighting My ainst their threats I needed to be in prime condition, I couldn’t let anyone down Our lives depended on it

"Okay," Eli began "I’ to teach you some basic defense If ere under normal circu you want is a fight However, we aren’t under nor to be able to talk a va off So first, before the situation escalates, you ains full control"

I listened carefully, amazed by his seriousness and professionalism He was definitely in his eleo into a panicyour punches into the air like a crazy person Conserve your energy when possible, for you need the energy to escape given the opportunity"

Eli carabbed you by the shoulders," he placed his hands fired

"Ruby, this is serious"

"I don’t knohat to do …"

"Think"

I tried to shrug hihtly but he didn’t budge

"This is no time to be civil, reroin, knees, and legs"

I swunghard and kicked at his knee but he dropped his hands and caught it just in time

"Not bad, but if I was a vath"

"Is it ainst the saet this over with," I growled

He s us as we meditated under the sun My skin was hot and ross

"You know, you don’t need to be trained on how to control the power"