Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 28

Valeri

I continued to delve deeper into the bag and came across an old journal, a necklace, and a small pocket knife. My head began to pound with the information I’ve come across already, so I put all of the stuff back in the bag. Since my bag was an Aetheral Dimension, I decided to place the egg there until I knew how to hatch it. I really should let nature take its course.

I tried to get some sleep, but my mind was like an ant hill, it was constantly running. Where was I from 2015 until recently in 5032? And why can’t I remember anything? My mind wanders to that Demon King. What was his name? Asmodeus, I think. He had a sinister air about him. With his dark eyes and strong jaw, he was attractive, no doubt. But when he cast that spell upon me and tortured me, it triggered my memory it seemed. Chills run down my spine when remembering that image of being surrounded by fire. It was like I saw the real Demon King, not some flirty male. Add on the fact that my back carries scars from what appears to be whips.

I should ask Eros about that Demon King… that’s if he will speak to me about him.

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After a night of fitful sleep, I showered and headed to History. Upon entering the classroom, a wave of uneasiness crashed over me. Usually, my nostrils are filled with the welcoming scents of the children, and I knew they were safe. I don’t know where this maternal instinct occurred, but I’m like a queen cat in regards to the children. Knowing that they are out of harm’s way and they’re eyes sparkle with mischief, I would sigh with relief and continue with my day.

But on this particular day, nearly half of the children’s scents entered my nostrils. I tried to hide the distraught on my face before entering the classroom. Professor Blossom’s feathers were ruffled and the children were withdrawn. I walk up to the professor.

“Professor Blossom?”

She turned to me, harried. “Oh good, you’re here!” The professor hands a stack of papers to me. “We are meeting with other classrooms to do a couple of outdoor activities,” she whispers

I look at the stack of papers and it reads “Stranger Danger”. I glance at Professor Blossom quizzically. She gives a slight shake of her narrow head before addressing the class.

“Okay, class. I think it’s a beautiful day to go outside. What do you say?”

A few “yay’s” rang throughout the classroom. Soon, the children gathered their belongings and walked to the door. Professor Blossom made way towards the front of the small line of ten students, and I brought up the rear. I couldn’t help but notice that Neveah and Gwendolyn weren’t amongst them. Amara’s beautiful smile was nonexistent. Rowan was withdrawn. And Erin, her eyebrows were knit together in concentration.

We pass through a different part of the university. After walking a few staircases down, we traverse down the back side of SU and wild, verdant grass spreads out around the training yard. Other young students with professors of various species surround the training yard.

“All right children, let’s take a seat in the grass.” a teacher says. He was a tall and monstrous being with tusks protruding from his mouth. His beady eyes held a ferocious glint with oily gray leather skin. He wore tattered clothing with worn shoes to match. He was a troll.

A female centaur takes the lead. “We are going to learn the difference between good and bad strangers and how to avoid the bad ones. We will also demonstrate how to defend yourself in case you are in a situation that prevents you from doing so.”

Professor Blossom indicates that I should pass around the stack of papers to the children. Once that was completed we went over the sheet. The kiddos learned to never go anywhere with anyone they don’t know or trust, never take something from a stranger, even if it’s something personal to them, and lastly, never talk to strangers that know your name. We went in depth of the do’s and don’ts and different scenarios.

After the “Stranger Danger” lesson, a few more professors walked out, with Professors Smith and Luxembourg among them. Adeyemi trailed behind them. I wonder what we will be learning today?

“I would like for each of you to be in groups of two or three!” Professor Luxembourg shouts. I groan internally. Her voice gives me a headache.

“Amara, with me!” Adeyemi says.

Her eyes lit with delight at the sound of his voice. “Uncle Kami!”

She runs in his arms and he laughs with exuberance. I tilt my head in wonder. That’s the first time I’ve seen the grouchy male laugh, let alone show an ounce of emotion.

Many children grouped together with friends and others with professors. I was left alone at the outskirts of the training ground. I was once again reminded that I didn’t belong here. An ache slowly forms in my chest at that thought. Being a loner was alright, but sometimes I get nostalgic for a home that doesn’t exist.

“Valeri?”

I turn to the sound of my name. Professor Smith appears to my right side. She’s a summer fae with striking features with wild apricot curls and bright eyes. She wore plain leather clothing with well worn boots.

“I see that you do not have a partner. Join me?” she suggested.

I gazed at her in shock. I was flunking her class and here she was wanting to be my partner. Surely I’d embarrass myself if we are doing anything magical?

I laughed nervously. “Surely you are giving a demonstration? You wouldn’t want me to partner with you?”

She patted my shoulder. “Come along now.”

I sigh. We walk towards the center of the training ground and my stomach drops with apprehension. The small crowd was buzzing with excitement.

“Settle down, children.” one of the professors says.

“Today we will learn about the defensive spell, avedhis. Who all has heard of this spell?” Professor Smith begins.

A few children raised their hands. Professor Smith nods in satisfaction. She whirls around to me and takes a fighting stance.

“Watch carefully, children.” she says.

I quickly repeat her stance hesitantly. Professor Smith’s mouth moves slightly. I hear the word “avedhis”. It sounded crisp with purpose and an invisible force rippled in the air and I’m suddenly thrown on my ass. A few chuckles hit my ears and my cheeks redden. I get up and dust myself off.

Professor Smith returns to a regular stance. “Alright, alright. You all will have your fair share of bruises. What you just witnessed is the defensive spell avedhis. Avedhis is a simple, yet powerful, fae spell to knock your foe off of their feet.” she says.

The centaur professor circles the children. “I want you to take turns using the spell. First, dig deep within your mind and search for that bright spark. Grasp it and speak the word avedhis.”

All around the kids were either closing their eyes or clenching their jaws in concentration. Professor Smith and the other professors walk around assisting the children.

Someone clears her throat and I turn to see the troll professor. His large nostrils flared slightly.

“Yes?” I ask.

“You are a student, yes?”

“Yeahhh…?”

“Then why aren’t you practicing the spell?”

I shrug my shoulders in response.

The troll professor stepped in front of me. “Try.”

“I think I have it down pat, but thanks.”

He grunts in displeasure. He crouches down in attack mode. “Try.”

I take a step back, my undead heart beating in warning. I looked around as silence rang out. Everyone’s eyes were on us, specifically me and they quickly back out of the training grounds.

“What are you doing?” I asked, taking another step back.

“Try.” the troll says again before charging me like a bull.

I zoom and dodge to the left, the wind brushing against my side. The troll whips around and rushes at me again. Before I could leap out of the way, he grabs my leg and flings me to the edge of the training ground.

“TRY.” the troll growls.

He charges at me again and I get to my feet. I searched for that “bright spark” and all I could feel was a deep inferno. I subconsciously reach out to that fiery tether and clasp it against me.

I could feel the blazing heat radiating from my eye as I shouted, “Avedhis!” A flaming whip erupts from within me and launches across at the troll.

His eyes bulge out of his sockets. “Scecis!” and he deflected the fiery whip.

A chorus of excitement and rounds of applause. Whoa. Professors Luxembourg, Blossom, and Smith’s eyes were filled with approval. Adeyemi eyed me with caution.

We left the training grounds and class concluded. We were told to gather in groups of three to five if we ever leave the dorms. Professor Blossom pulled me to the side after the children left.

Her sharp eyes observed me from head to toe. “You need to be careful.”

I eyed her carefully. “About?”

“You are special. They take the special ones.” she whispers.

“Who?”

“They took little Gwen and Neveah and I couldn’t save them.”

“Who??” I asked, flusteredly.

“I can’t say, but I wanted to warn you: please, please be careful. Your enemies are closer than you think.”

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