Free Run To Earth (Power of Four) by S Mazhar

distance. Next to her was a boy, perhaps a year or two older than Sam, with hair so shockingly blond it looked white. His sleeveless top showcased his muscular arms. A strange spiral symbol was etched onto the tanned skin, just at his right shoulder cap. He was sharp-featured, with eyes so blue Aaron could see them from this distance. The other boys and girls were similar in appearance: the boys tall and muscular, the girls long-legged and stunningly beautiful. They all possessed a strange grace, and appeared strong, powerful and oddly enamouring.
    The blond boy with the spiral tattoo caught Aaron’s stare. Their gazes locked and for a moment, both boys just stared at each other. Aaron saw the boy lean back and say something from the corner of his mouth. The girl with the blue streaks turned to stare at Aaron.
    It was his cue to look away, but Aaron found himself meeting her stare head on. The group started heading his way.
    “Well, well, fresh meat on the stalls today, eh?” the blond boy said, coming to stand behind Aaron.
    Kate turned, as did Chris and Drake to face him. In fact, everyone seated around the table was watching the boy, somewhat warily.
    “Skyler.” Drake greeted him with a curt nod. “Be nice.”
    “I’m always nice,” the boy – Skyler – replied. He looked down at Aaron, flashing a charming smile. “So, Shattered or mage?”
    “Mage,” Aaron replied, finding the unfamiliar word stick to the back of his throat.
    Skyler nodded. “Figured. You don’t look like a Shattered.” He cocked his head to one side, examining him. “What’s the name?”
    “Aaron,” he replied. “Aaron Adams.”
    The boy’s expression changed at once. The assembled crowd of teenagers behind him looked equally shocked. Skyler’s mouth curved into a smirk, his striking blue eyes narrowed.
    “Adams?” he asked. “For real?”
    “Yeah,” Aaron replied, “for real.”
    Skyler didn’t say anything but simply stared at him. Then he grinned and Aaron’s heart missed a beat. He knew that smile. He used to see it on Matthews, the school bully, just before there was trouble. This was the same smile: predatory, cold – and promised pain.
    “What happened?” Skyler asked, addressing Chris. “Got tired of the human realm?”
    “I don’t believe that’s any of your business,” Chris replied, before turning back to continue his conversation with Drake.
    “You’ll find that it is, in fact, my business,” Skyler said.
    Chris looked up at him with a tired sigh. “And you are?”
    The boy straightened up, holding his head high, as if his name was a title worthy of praise. “Skyler Avira.”
    Chris’s expression changed. He was clearly taken aback; his eyes softened and his mouth dropped open. “You’re Joseph’s kid?” he asked.
    “Yeah, Joseph Avira,” Skyler repeated. “Remember him?”
    Chris looked uncomfortable. He shifted in his seat, dropping his gaze. “I’m sorry about what happened to Joseph,” he said. “You have my deepest condolences.”
    Skyler smirked, his eyes burning. “You know exactly what to do with your condolences,” he hissed. “You have no right to come back here, sit at the table of Salvador like nothing happened and start spewing useless apologies!”
    “Skyler,” Drake warned. “That’s enough.”
    “You have every right to be angry,” Chris said to Skyler, “but you don’t know what happened. Circumstances were such–”
    “Circumstances are a weak man’s shield to hide behind,” Skyler returned. “But we already know that’s what you are.”
    That’s when the first spark of anger lit Chris’s eyes. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, son.”
    Skyler’s hands curled into fists and his eyes blazed with anger. “ Don’t call me ‘son’!” he warned.
    A mighty gust of wind blew across the table, so strong it unsettled the plates and glasses. They fell to the ground, smashing to pieces. The numerous people seated around the table had to