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

earth were launched at her.
    She panicked and once again begged the power to help her. It answered by offering her two small flames. She wished she knew how to make them into some kind of shield. Was that even possible?
    Summer clumsily threw her hands forward and watched the fire pierce the air. It successfully took down a few pieces of stone but, that wasn't even close to what was still coming at her.
    All she had time to do was protect her face as the attack pummeled her body. It felt like someone was punching her and using a knife at the same time.
    Summer crashed to the ground, waiting for the onslaught to stop. When her ears stopped ringing she was finally able to open her eyes.
    Troy was rushing over. She looked for Petar and found him healing another badly injured student.
    “Pretty deep cuts,” was all Troy managed to say.
    He bent down and held his hands to Summer's arms. A warmth filled her body that was like hot chocolate on a cold, winter day.
    The sharp, razor-like pain slowly disappeared and was replaced with a dull ache. She gave Troy a thumbs up before rolling over and throwing up in the grass.
    “Tracy!” Shouted Mario. She came running over. “Take Summer back to the room and make sure she gets cleaned up. The lesson isn't over yet.”
    Tracy helped Summer to her feet and pulled her towards the large, wooden doors that led back into the castle. When they were out of earshot Summer let out an exasperated breath.
    “I looked so lame!"
    Tracy raised an eyebrow. “Who are you trying to impress? Troy? We’ve all been where you are.”
    Summer waved her hand. “No, not Troy. He's crazy if he thinks we'll be anything more than friends. I'm a poor girl that was living on the streets. I didn't bathe for weeks and stole a lot. I have no idea what it takes to be in a relationship. I'm broken.”
    She was broken. That statement held true for so many things in her life. She was terrible at interacting with people. Sarcasm was her only way to relate. She had no possessions, barely an education, no family, and was failing at being a wielder.
    “Just give it time,” said Tracy. “You'll get stronger.”
    Summer was about to reply when the loud creak of a door to their right made them both stop. Even after being here for only ten days she had never seen these single, metal doors open. They were always locked and she didn't bother asking what was in them.
    “That's weird,” said Tracy.
    She pushed Summer behind her as both of them crept towards the open door. Tracy lit a small flame in her hand and maneuvered her way into the room. She let out a loud scream and shoved both of them against the wall.
    Summer couldn't believe what she was seeing. On the wall, written in blood, was the word, “LEAVE.”
     

 
    Chapter 9
     
    It was two days before Summer's eighteenth birthday.  Between the time they found the writing and now, not much had gotten done. The school had been on lockdown. No one could leave and no one was allowed in.
    And of course the one getting the most attention was once again, Summer. This time not all of it was positive or even politely curious. The whispers around the halls were the she had brought all of this into the castle. Basically the blame was being put on her and she hated it.
    However, none of the trash talking could trump what she had seen. The mutilated body in the corner of the classroom with its cold eyes staring at her was enough give her nightmares for the rest of her life.
    Tracy came into the room, followed by Ash. They sat on opposite sides of Summer and watched her like she was some fragile piece of glass about to break.
    “No clues were found in the classroom,” said Tracy.
    Summer looked over at her. “Why are there classrooms here? isn't this is just a training camp?”
    “We used to teach English, some history, and let students finish out high school here,” answered Ash. “They would study and get their GED.”
    “Why English?”
    “We used to have wielders from