Free Feudlings by Wendy Knight Page A

were that hit her, but she knew it hurt. A lot.
    She didn't remember what had happened after that, but Will told her later that he’d stopped them and convinced them to help her. They’d gathered all the healers in the colony, Edren and Carules alike. They had worked for two days straight, drawing spells over her injuries to keep her alive. She spent three weeks recovering, and by the time she was well, she remembered everything.
    And everything had changed.

Chapter Six
     
    Shane couldn't remember the last time Hunter had been this mad at him. But now… well, now they were definitely having issues. He didn't want to admit it was all because of Ari, because admitting that a girl had come between them was admitting that maybe they weren't as undefeatable as he had thought. Both sides, Edren and Carules, had a Prodigy — one had to kill the other to end the war. Of course, hunting the other Prodigy would end the war a lot quicker, but the Council wouldn’t let him. The Edrens, however, sent their Prodigy out to hunt every chance they got.
    Both the Prodigies had an uber-powerful Guard. The Edren Prodigy had never been seen with his, but Hunter was Shane’s. Which was why it was imperative that they work as a team. Or at least, be able to talk to each other without throwing a punch. That would be good, too. Shane thought, grimacing.
    But instead, Hunter stared stonily at the smart board, ignoring Shane as best he could. Shane glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, but refused to look at him. He heard Charity sigh behind them. She was angry, but Shane had no idea whose side she was on. She seemed to like Ari, but Shane knew her well, and he knew she was holding something back. "You two suck. You know that?" she said through clenched teeth as the bell rang.
    Hunter glanced back at her guiltily but refused to look at Shane. "He's being an idiot."
    "Why? Because I like a girl that you don't? Since when do you get to decide who I date?" Shane jerked his bag up off the floor and flung it over his shoulder.
    "You're going to be late meeting her. She might have to walk to her next class by herself!" Hunter said, holding his hands up to his mouth in mock horror.
    "Knock it off, you two," Charity said but they both ignored her.
    Shane stomped toward the door. "What've you got against her anyway? You don't even know her." Hunter followed him, grabbing Shane’s arm and jerking him around.
    "Neither do you," he responded. They stood toe to toe in the crowded hallway, both breathing hard. People stopped to watch, the anticipation of a fight blooming in the air and drawing them like bees.
    "So? Why is that such a big deal?" Shane asked, his voice rising.
    Hunter flushed and looked away. Spotting Charity, standing at the outer fringes of the crowd, he replied, "It's a big deal because Charity can't see her."
    "Oh please. That's what this is about? And you call me an idiot." Shane spun on his heel and walked away, leaving Hunter staring angrily after him.
    Ari hadn't waited for him. Big surprise. She seemed to barely tolerate his presence. Actually, she seemed to barely tolerate any of them, except Charity, who for some reason was exempt from Ari’s disinterest. He thought of heading in the direction of her next class hoping to catch up to her, but that seemed a little desperate. Frustrated, he also considered smashing his fist into the wall, but decided that would be counter-productive. With a sigh, he started off to his next class.
    As he turned the corner he nearly ran into Charity, who was leaning against the wall with her arms folded, waiting for him. "How is it you always seem to know just where I'll be, if you can't see me?" he asked with a slow smile, stopping next to her.
    She looked up at him. His cousin was average height, but he was tall and it forced her to crane her neck back to see him. "Because I know you," she said quietly.
    Shane groaned and fell back against the wall next to her. "You too, huh?"
    "Me too what?"