Free Raelia (The Medoran Chronicles Book 2) by Lynette Noni Page A

procrastinating,” D.C. said. “The only thing worse than going to Karter’s class is when you’re late going to Karter’s class. Which you will be, if you don’t get moving.”
    “But I don’t want to go,” Alex whined.
    “And I don’t want to eat a barbecue sauce and peanut butter sandwich for dinner, but I have to since I lost a stupid bet to Jordan,” D.C. said. “Sometimes we just have to suck it up and do what we have to do.”
    “Great words of wisdom, Dix,” Alex said, rolling her eyes.
    “I’m here to help,” D.C. chirped. “Now, get moving.”
    D.C. actually had to push her to help encourage forward momentum, but once Alex was on her way, she felt a little more confident. After all, it wasn’t her fault people were saying such horrible things. She had absolutely no control over what was happening. Karter had to know that.
    … Right?
    The closer Alex walked to the Arena, the better she felt. Admittedly, she was still anxious, but not so much because of Karter anymore. She was about to actively participate in her first proper Combat class and that was a nerve-wracking concept, especially when she remembered their gruelling exam at the end of her previous year. Nine weeks of training with Karter over the holidays couldn’t possibly have brought her up to the same skill level as her classmates, but at least she was better prepared this year.
    She entered the Arena with her head held high, determined not to reveal her apprehension. Her classmates were already there, and just like last year, there were only five of them— Brendan, Nick, Sebastian, and—to Alex’s relief—Kaiden and Declan. She scanned the area quickly but could see no sign of Karter, and she felt her body relax slightly.
    “Hey, Queenie!” Sebastian called, using the nickname she’d been given after tackling the nightmarish obstacle course in their final exam before the summer. “I guess you didn’t get enough of us last year, huh?”
    “Are you kidding?” Alex asked with fake incredulity as she walked over to where they were all stretching. “As if I could ever get enough blood and gore. I live for this kind of thing. Death before honour, and all that.”
    They laughed raucously, and Nick actually snorted. Alex hadn’t thought her statement was funny enough to warrant such a reaction, but then Declan clue
    “I think you mean ‘death before dishonour ’,” he corrected around his chuckles.
    Alex thought back over her words and realised how stupid she’d sounded. “Um, isn’t that what I said?”
    It had been worth a try. But they just laughed even harder.
    Despite her embarrassment, their casual camaraderie helped lift a weight off her shoulders. Or it did, until Brendan spoke up.
    “So, how was your summer?”
    It was an innocent enough question. But the moment the question was out of his mouth, everyone paused and looked at her. She felt her face heat up, knowing they must have heard the rumours. None of them were glaring at her with disgust, so that was something. But they were definitely curious.
    “Um,” she said. “It was—”
    “Jennings!” Karter bellowed, storming into the Arena. He stopped a short distance away and ordered, “Get over here. Now!”
    Alex may have actually squeaked with fright. He looked mutinous. His leathery face had taken on a purplish colour, and his icy blue eyes were blazing with fury.
    She quickly hurried over to where he stood.
    “Sir?” she asked hesitantly, acutely aware of his seething presence.
    Without warning, Karter’s fist flew towards her face, and it was only because of her developed reflexes that she managed to duck just in time. He came at her again, and she pivoted around on her foot, avoiding contact once more. He then swept his leg out, trying to trip her, but she jumped into the air and, upon landing, she automatically aimed a roundhouse kick at his torso. He deflected her leg with his burly arms, but it was enough to unbalance him, and the move gave Alex