Apprentices: First Quarter

A Reaction To Action

“Sheila,” I greet her cautiously, not really knowing how to act around her. I mean, come on, I haven’t seen her since the memorial. And she wasn’t exactly in the state to be walking around alone. She stares at me for a long moment before simply nodding in greeting.

She turns back to the stone, while I stand there, unsure if I should get closer or not. I mean, I meant to pay respect to my grandparents, even if their names aren’t written on the statue. Now I’m not so sure I should even be here.

But before I can leave, Sheila turns back to me and walks past me without saying a word. I stare after her, a hundred things going through my head. I haven’t had the chance to speak with her ever since she tried to throw herself off the roof. I’m not sure where we stand.

I don’t want to keep picking fights with her. But I also couldn’t care less what she does with her life now. I almost took it away from her last month … But I also gave it back, when I prevented her from killing herself. It would be safe to say we’re even now. At least that’s how I feel.

After learning to do blood magic properly for the past few weeks, I don’t feel so guilty anymore. I realize how dangerous and complex my dominant element is. There was no way I could control it without proper practice and advice. But it’s also true, that I shouldn’t let myself get provoked by Sheila like that.

Shaking my thoughts away, I move my gaze away from her disappearing back and turn to the memorial statue. It’s at least seven feet high and there are probably a thousand names written on it. I know which name Sheila was looking for. And I also know she found it.

The stone is enchanted. When someone touches it, it projects the names that they’re looking for in front of their eyes. If they aren’t written on it, nothing happens. The moment you stop touching the stone, the names jump back to an alphabetic order.

I know it’s a long shot, but I press my hand against the cold surface, wondering if I’ll find what I’m looking for. I close my eyes for a short moment, pleading the universe to let the souls of my grandparents find peace. Even if I know it’s impossible.

When I lift my eyelids, I raise my eyebrows in surprise. They’re here. The Seminary wrote my grandparents’ names on the memorial statue. It must have been because of my aunt. Because she started serving as a warrior witch here. Amelia Pierce. John Pierce.

My fingers brush across the letters numerous times, like that will help them. If only I could talk to them. If only they would understand what I’m saying. Maybe they could tell me about my mother, because my aunt keeps her mouth shut whenever I ask about her.

Something squeezes my chest, scaring me to death. What if my mother is guilty of the Cincinnati den crimes and my aunt is helping her cover it up? I clench my hands into fists, shaking my head at myself.

Don’t be stupid, Evelyn, you know your aunt. She’s stern and a little controlling, but she wouldn’t do anything to harm the warrior witches. She loves her job. She’s obsessed with it. There’s no way she would risk losing it, not even for her own sister.

But France was passionate about her job, too, wasn’t she? And she still didn’t feel any guilt when she attacked her colleagues and killed people. I draw in a shaky breath, removing my hand from the memorial stone. I need to move a little or else I’m going to lose it. I can’t stand still because thinking about everything will end me.

I head straight to my room as fast as I can, throwing some sporty clothes on. It’s a little cold outside, so I put a hoodie on top of my long-sleeved shirt. I don’t want to be overdressed either. I haven’t run on my own in a long time now, but I need it to blow off some steam.

The houses, surrounding the schools are more or less empty today. As I said, everyone is paying visits to the graves of their deceased. I’m not sure how long my friends are going to be away, but I figured it might take a while.

I walk by the edge, deciding to run around the border of the Seminary. It mostly consists of trees, which is perfect for me at the moment. I need a lot of fresh air. As much as I can get into my lungs.

Running helps me relax almost immediately. I keep my worries at the back of my mind, only focusing on moving my feet and breathing. One, two, one, two, in, out, in out. I listen to the steady rhythm of my feet, the dry leaves and branches cracking under them. It’s almost like poetry.

I only stop once I reach the same spot, where I started. I lean my hands on my knees, breathing heavily. My lungs and throat are burning, but I feel amazing. I truly needed to get myself moving a little.

I slowly walk back towards the school, knowing that I still have more than enough time to take a shower before going to lunch. Ugh, I’ll have to sit alone like a loser today. Unless I’m lucky and someone from my friend group is back already. I truly hope that’s the case.

You know how you need to be careful what you wish for, right? Well, sometimes I should really think things through before I wish for something so badly. Because usually, the wishes that aren’t thought through, are granted sooner than the ones you think through.

The thing is, I already reach the high school building and see someone on our playfield, practicing martial arts on a dummy. At first, I think, who’s that i***t, exercising outside when it’s so cold? But I quickly take it back, because I was just the i***t, who decided to go for a run under the same conditions.

As I get closer, I realize the person is strangely familiar to me. With every step, I start to recognize him more. It’s a guy. Blonde hair, tall, muscular physique, get who I’m describing yet? The moment he waves at me, I frown. I knew it.

With a sigh, I head towards him, even if I’m all sweaty and in desperate need of a shower. I don’t want to catch a cold. “Hey, Pierce!” he greets me, making me approach him with even more caution than usually.

“Marcus,” I greet him back politely, not wanting to fight with him in the first second we spend together. He smirks as he realizes I’m holding myself back, then glances at the dummy shortly before turning his gaze back to me.

“I wouldn’t ask, if I didn’t see you were dressed for the occasion, so … Would you like to practice with me a little?” he asks, taking me aback with the offer. In the next moment, he makes my face fall. “Unless you’re too scared to take me on.”

I cross my arms against my chest, staring up at him in a challenging way. “Oh, you’re in for a surprise with the way you’re underestimating my abilities. I’m strong enough to take on a werewolf,” I retort, making him chuckle and raise his hands in defense.

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that,” he teases me, making me narrow my eyes at me. Excuse me? We’re at it again? He won’t know what hit him.

“You’ll regret doubting me,” I tell him calmly, deciding to keep the fire for the actual fight. He seems surprised that I didn’t explode, but soon enough, the smirk is back on his face.

“We’ll see,” he simply says, motioning for me to follow him to the middle of the playfield. I walk behind him, while he walks backwards, not leaving me out of sight the entire time. Smart. I would probably jump on his back and choke him until he gave up. Or died. Yes, I’m kidding about the second option.

Marcus soon puts his game face on, standing in a position that let’s me know he’s prepared for the fight to begin. I copy it, staring at him in a serious way. I’m a little unsure about his style of fighting. I’ve only watched him fight a few times, I’ve never had the chance to actually try him out myself.

Well, there’s a first time for everything. I charge at him without a second thought, already finding myself on the ground before I’m able to hit him. But I don’t give up that easily. I pick myself up, grabbing his foot as he rushes forward. I only manage to make him stumble a little.

By the time I’m up, he’s already charging at me, while I prepare myself for some quick dodging. He’s skilled, I must give him that. But I would expect nothing less from a guy, that was chosen to become Jake’s beta one day.

I manage to dodge a few blows, but I soon get hit in the ribs. Oof, that’s nasty even for Marcus. But he didn’t get to where he is by playing fair. He already gets ahold of me, trying to trap me in his arms, so I would have to give up, but I’m not so easy to beat.

I gather all my strength and use his own momentum to throw him over my shoulder. He grabs me, taking me down with him. We start rolling over the ground, each of us trying to take control of the fight, but neither succeeds.

Finally, I start to pretend that I’ll get up, but I’m prepared for him to try to pull me back down. I use the chance to trap his head between my thighs, squeezing his neck from behind and holding his arms, so he’s unable to move.

He tries to jump on his feet by using his legs, but he’s not strong enough to throw me off at the same time. I squeeze even harder, making him start to cough violently, but I don’t stop. Not until he surrenders, just like we’re taught.

He stares up at me from the ground, while I return the gaze in a serious way. Finally, he taps me three times, making me smile victoriously. I let go of him immediately, throwing my hands in the air, doing a happy little dance.

Marcus stays in the same position, smirking up at me. “You know, no matter how bitter this defeat was, I could stay like this the whole day,” he remarks, making my face fall in a nanosecond. I slide backwards with a murderous gaze on my face, while Marcus starts laughing out loud.

“You can only dream about it,” I let him know in a dark tone, glaring at him as he sits up and sends me a wink. As he gets up, he dusts his sweatpants off.

“Oh, I will. And you might too, one day,” he tells me in a seducing tone that makes my blood boil. How dare he? I thought I made myself clear numerous times already! And I thought Jake dealt with his behavior, but I guess he doesn’t respect his alpha, when he’s not around.

“You’re a bastard, you know that, right?” I retort, making him chuckle. He walks towards me, offering me his hand, but I stare at it hatefully. He sighs, shaking his head at me in disbelief.

“Jeez, relax. I’m messing with you,” he explains, suddenly looking at me in a normal way for once. Not like I’m a piece of meat. I watch him a moment longer, then finally decide to accept his hand. He’s a jerk. But he’s still one of my friends. No matter how much he likes to irritate me. He was there for me in Cincinnati just like everyone else.

But the moment he pulls me up, I realize I made a mistake. He uses a little too much force, making me bump into his chest. I mean to step away, but he grips my upper arm with his other hand, making me freeze. What the hell is he playing at?

I stare into those blue eyes, terrified as I realize I’m losing myself in them. “But seriously, Evelyn. If you ever change your mind, my offer still stands. You’re only signing yourself up for hurt, staying with Jake,” he murmurs in a serious way, making me clench my jaw.

I push him away, taking a few steps backwards. I’m breathing heavily, angry with what he just dared to do and say to me. “You know nothing about me and Jake. Stay. The hell. Out of it,” I bark at him, my nostrils flaring with fury.

Marcus shakes his head at me, suddenly looking all serious. What’s his problem? He never cared about my relationship with Jake before, what’s changed now? “I know Jake. He might be ready to be with you now, but the moment his mate comes along, he’ll just brush you off,” he keeps talking, making me fill like he’s drilling directly into my nerves.

“f**k you, Marcus!” I snap at him, forgetting about keeping a safe distance. I walk straight towards him, ready to punch him straight in the face, but he stops my fist and spins my arm around, making me yelp in pain. But I’m not really hurt. At least not physically.