The Ember In The Dark novel Chapter 3

"What do you have next period?" Ash came up behind me making me jump. I slapped his arm.

"Stop that." I hate when he masks his presence to me. "I have science." I told him.

"I have math on the other side of the building. Toni has science during this period though." He smiled. "Hey Toni!" He called him over. "Will you walk Ember to class for me? Please. I don't like the idea of her alone in these halls with all these assholes." He sounded like Dad for a moment.

"Ash! You can't just ask someone you just met to walk me around school. Quit it!" I scolded him.

"I don't mind." Toni smiled at me and my heart skipped for a moment. He has a really sweet smile like Rachel's. Only his smile does something different to me.

I fought the crimson off my cheeks, as I blushed too quickly for me to stop it entirely. Ash noticed it and arched an eyebrow at me curiously.

'Shut up.' I linked him and he smiled.

"Meet you at lunch." He yelled back, walking down the hall. He and Rachel were headed the same way so they were talking as they walked.

"You ready?" Toni asked and I turned to see his face closer than I expected.

His eyes met mine, setting my stomach a blaze with butterflies. I nodded my head at him, afraid my voice would give away how timid I was feeling right now. I'm not normally so bashful around boys. I usually just find them all annoying, but something's different with him. I'm not sure what.

"So where were you and Ash going to school before you came here?" He asked, trying to make friendly conversation.

I peered at him from the corner of my eye. He was really handsome up close too. He had a strong face, yet with a smile on it, it seemed so inviting. He had a strong jawline and a little nose. He had tan skin, and I'm pretty sure he's Hispanic. I liked the way his hair waved perfectly together.

"Um, we went to school in the elf kingdom nearby. That's where we live. After school is dragon training with our Dad. Eryn trains us in magic, archery, and swordsmanship every other evening. On the weekends Charles comes over and trains us in fighting and then helps Ash train his wolf so that he doesn't take him over power wise. Apparently that can be a thing." I answered, realizing I gave him more information than he asked for.

"Geez that's a lot. Why so much?" He raised his eyebrows, surprised.

"Mom grew up not knowing she was part elf and she fell behind on getting to know that part of her. She wants to make sure that Ash and I know every bit of ourselves, our magic and our heritage." I sighed. "Although, I feel like most of it doesn't apply to me right now."

I don't know why I was opening up to him like this. I don't usually say how I feel aloud, yet alone to someone else.

"Why do you have to?" He asked, curious. He wasn't giving me any pity and I appreciated that.

"My mom is just hoping that my magic or even my wolf are just dormant. I think she's hoping for too much at this point." I shook my head. "I'm already 17, I think it would have happened by now."

"I mean it could be. I've known some people that didn't get their wolf till they were 20 and their body could handle them. The more powerful the wolf the later they come sometimes. Maybe yours is just too powerful." He smiled trying to make me feel better. I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Doubtful." Although, what I wouldn't give for that to be true.

We got to the classroom, finally. There was an older man with a receding hairline standing at the door greeting everyone.