Free Reclaimed (The Phoenix Chronicles Book 1) by Erica Ortega Page A

glanced over at her. “I'm more nervous that you'll kill me.”
    She was stunned as he continued to walk ahead of her. Josh stopped and spun around to face her. He wasted no time in summoning a spear of water from the wet grass surrounding them and launching it at her. She rolled to the right, barely avoiding the bullet of water.
    “Okay,” she nodded, mostly talking to herself. “This is how he wants to play.”
    She assumed they were going to take turns attacking but, Josh had other plans. He formed another spear and hurled it forward again. This time Summer wasn't ready. She took a direct hit to the chest which sent her flying backwards. When she got up the front of her was covered in water and the back in mud.
    Summer clenched her jaw and marched back over to where she had been standing. Josh was ready with another attack. The look on his face was determined and confident; something he had been lacking just a few short moments ago.
    This time he pushed a wave of water forward. It cut through the grass like a long blade and headed directly towards her.
    Summer held her hands up and practically begged the power to come to life. It briefly answered by igniting her hands on fire. This successfully turned the water into hot steam which rose in the air around her.
    She hunched forward and grabbed on to her knees. After a moment she looked up and smiled.
    “I did it.”
    Mario, who had been watching, nodded his head once in encouragement.
    Just that small gesture gave Summer the confidence she needed. She looked over at Josh who was visibly winded. It was obvious that he hoped his three attacks would knock Summer out. He hadn't expected her to actually defend one.
    She smirked and held her hands up. Her eyes closed while she called on the same power that had just come to her defense. It started as a subtle heat in the core of her stomach and then slowly began to rise.
    She imagined it going up into her chest and then moving to her shoulders. Now down her arms. Her eyes snapped open when she felt the heat in her hands.
    She let out a loud grunt and threw her hands towards Josh. Two small sparks shot out in front of her. They fizzled like sparklers and died in the middle of the field.
    Josh stared for longer than he should have and then burst into a loud, bellowing laugh. Just like Summer had anticipated, everyone stopped to see what was going on.
    “This sucks,” she snapped.
    “But you didn't pass out,” said an approaching voice.
    Summer turned and was irritated to see Mario. She wasn't in the mood to be reprimanded.
    “Yeah but I still suck.”
    “Small goals,” he answered. “One defense and a small offense without passing out. You did good.”
    She was surprised to hear him say that. It was the last thing she expected to come out of his mouth.
    “It was still stupid,” answered Summer.
    “Stupid is better than nothing. Now quit whining and go get a different partner. It's time to switch.”
    In the beginning everyone was reluctant to test out their skills with her. Now there were people going out of their way to be her partner. It was what Summer had initially wanted but, having them ask to spar with her because she was weak really pissed her off. She just couldn't win.
    Summer's next partner was Jessie, an earth wielder. The girl nodded her head once in greeting before getting into an offensive stance. Her body was relaxed as she let grains of dirt fall between her fingers.
    The girl held her hand up and the ground below her began to shift. It lifted her high into the air. She smirked down at Summer; the sun behind her making her look more menacing.
    “How is this fair?” shouted Summer.
    “I practiced at home,” said Jessie.
    “Must be nice,” grumbled Summer.
    Jessie lifted her hands into the air and as she did shards of rock and dirt followed. They stood there, suspended in the air like birds searching for their prey.
    Summer only had a brief second to try and summon her power before the pieces of