Iridescent by Peyton R (english novels to read .TXT) 📖

I stare out the car window, ignoring the rest of my family. My little brother had forgotten his favorite toy at camp, so we turned around, and headed straight back. Of course.

The rain starts to come down harder, so I close my eyes, and enjoy the thrumming sound it make on the car. Without warning, a car horn beeps, and I open my eyes just as our car is flipped around, and fire is everywhere.

I scream as I realize I'm the only one still moving, making noise. Someone opens the car door, and I crawl out. Looking for this person, my eyes meet dark green ones. "You're safe now," the voice says.

Jolting awake, I check the clock. 4:58. Sighing, I get up, and go to the bathroom. I stare at my reflection, and then squeeze my eyes shut. The nightmare of my adopted family's death wouldn't go away. At least that guy in my dream was right. I am safe. Safe inside the Covenant's protection.

*****

Since sleeping's not an option, I put on my training gear, the one's that I'd been given 2 days ago, upon my arrival, and head to the training room.

The dummies are placed as if under attack by a group of demons. I smile to myself, muttering, "This is going to be easy."

Using maneuvers from 2 years ago, I try to defeat my 'opponents' to no avail. "Your stance is off," a voice says. "Instead of coming at it full-on, hit it from an angle." I nod, doing as he says. This time, I'm successful. I turn around and see the helpful instructor. He's muscular, with black hair that tends to fall in his eyes.

"Thanks for the tip," I say. He shrugs. "Why are you up?" I ask, hoping to get him to speak again.

"I could ask you the same thing," he chuckles. "But if you must know, it's my guarding shift. I saw you, and was intrigued, so I followed you." I raise my eyebrows. His voice wraps around me. It sounds, familiar. One I've heard before.

"Do you follow all students you see going to the training room at 5 in the morning?" He shakes his head, and smiles.

"I'll see you around," he replies. Then he turns to leave.

"Wait! I never got your name!" He pauses at the door, deliberating if he should answer me.

"All in good time, iridescent one." I freeze. Only one other person has ever called me that.

"What did you just call me?" I ask through clenched teeth.

"Oh, come on. You really don't recognize me? It's only been 2 years." I gasp.

"Alex!" I run to him, and give him a hug. He chuckles. "I can't believe it! You graduated? You've fought real demons?" He nods.

"Look, I've got to go," he says, running a hand through his hair, "but I'll talk to you later." I nod, happy to see him alive and okay.

I decide to get ready for school, so I head back to my dorm, thinking about Alex. He had been like a big brother to me when I was little, him being 2 years older than I.

One time, during training, some girl decided to cheat, and pull my hair, so when I punched her in the face, Alex helped lessen my punishment, him being the ideal student. I had been 11. Smiling, I make my way to the shower.

Things between him and I started to change when I was 14. I started to become a young adult, and he noticed. It started out as flirting, but the day my dad had took me away from the Covenant, we kissed. I guess you could say that I left some unfinished business here, but now I'm here to finish it.

Shaking my head, I let the hot water wash away my thoughts of Alex. Instead I think of what today is going to bring me. Whether or not my old friends will still accept me, how far behind I am, and most importantly, the scandals.

After I change into my clothes, I go down to the cafeteria to catch up with some people. Gazing throughout the crowd, I search for familiar faces, relieved to see my best friend is still here. I come up behind her, putting my hands over her eyes. "Guess who?"

Laughing, she pulls my hands away, turning around. "Oh my God, it's been so long since I've seen you, Opaline!" I grimace, hating the sound of my full name.

"You know that I prefer to be called Aline! It's much prettier. And doesn't sound like you're calling me an opa line. No, it has to be pronounced with the e vowel, not the i," I remind her, giving her a huge hug, laughing, though meaning my words.

Her shiny black hair up in a ponytail reminds me of those selfish cheerleader girls in the mundane world. Ew. She punches me in the arm, and says, "Oh, it's been too long. Sit down! We need to catch up." I smile.

"Sorry Sam, no can do. I have to go see the Dean. He requested my presence for this morning earlier," I say. "But I'll see you around." Waving at Sam and her friends, I walk to the Dean's office, knocking on it lightly.

"Come in," he says. I open the door to see Alex, the Dean, and some other person I don't know. "It's good to see you, Opaline," says the Dean, also known as Matthew.

"Same," I say, wondering why we aren't alone.

"I presume you recognize Alex?" he asks me. I nod. He directs his gaze at the other guy. "This is Dante. He's one of our best students, though he gets into his fair share of trouble." Again, I nod, unsure of what else to do. "These two will be training you in all of your free time." I gape.

"Surely you don't mean all of my extra time. I still have to study, don't I?" I ask, not quite understanding the point of this meeting.

Dean Matthew scratches his chin, not sure how to answer my question. "Well, uh, since you've missed 2 years of the studies provided here, we thought it best to just have you train."

I narrow my eyes. "Who's 'we'?" I ask, angry at this suggestion.

"The Council and I. And it's not open for discussion," he says, meeting my furious stare. "You will not complete your education, and will focus solely on training with Dante and Alex. Understood?" Unwilling to get myself in trouble, I clench my fists tightly.

"Yes. I understand what you are saying, Dean Matthew," I say sweetly. "Everything is already worked out. So may I start my training now?" Alex seems to know what my meaning is, as does Dean Matthew.

"Very well. Dante, Alex, teach her everything she needs to know to kill demons." The boys exchange looks, then walk out.

I start following them, pausing at the doorway to say, "We both know that I've already killed some demons. A little more practice shouldn't hurt, but you know what I'm capable of. It's only a matter of time before I excel past them. After that," I pause, looking back behind me to make sure that I've got his attention, "well, we both know what happens then."

I leave him then, getting ready for what's gonna be hard, yet easy training.

I block Dante's fist, but Alex kicks my legs out from under me. I land on my butt. I glare at the two of them, not moving. "Why the hell do I have to fight both of you? I just got back! Take it easy, will you?" Dante grimaces, and looks at Alex, before looking back at me.

"I wish it were that simple, Opaline. But it's not. We're trying to see what you remember." I roll my eyes, not really caring what this guy says, hot or not.

Suddenly, Alex is in front of me, his hand on my chin. My eyes widen from his proximity. "Take this seriously, Aline. You're not a child." Wacking his hand away, I flip away from my two antagonistic trainers.

"Not only am I not a child now, but I certainly wasn't a child the day I left," I say harshly. Alex's jaw clenches. "I don't need you to tell me what I am or am not. And I most definitely don't need you guys to gang up on me." I take a step back. "I bet you don't even know how they found me." I take a deep breath, trying to not let my temper get the best of me.

Alex closes his eyes. "You're right. I'm sorry." Opening his eyes, he crosses to me. "This is not how I planned this training to turn out."

"Yeah, well, obviously you forgot about how I behave," I shot back at him.

Dante chuckles. "You were right, Alex. She is gonna be a handful," Dante says. My anger snaps.

"Why does he," I jab my thumb at Dante, "have to be here? He's still a student." Alex gives me a warning look, but I continue on. "You don't even seem that strong. In fact, I bet your bad outways your good." Dante's stormy blue eyes take on a cloudy gray. Suddenly, I'm pinned to the mat, Dante on top of me.

"Don't say things you have no clue about, ok? Just so you know, I offered to help you. I'm here because you're sorta like me. I guess that was a mistake, but I can't take it back now." I blink, stunned to see his 'bad side.' I laugh nervously.

"Care to elaborate on what you mean by 'sorta like me'?" I ask, not trying to be rude, but merely curious.

"No. Not yet," Dante replies. I scowl at him, but he just flashes me a sardonic grin, and rolls off of me. I glance at Alex, then quickly shake my head. Alex gives me a questioning look, which I completely ignore.

I stand, and prepare myself for another fight. Dante arches his eyebrows, but then shrugs. He attacks me head on, and I remember Alex's advice yesterday. Wrong move, buddy, I think.

I slam my fist into the side of his head, then go into a jump kick. My foot hits him square in the chest, knocking him to the ground. I grin down at Dante, satisfied with myself. I go to the other side of the room to get water.

"And you thought I didn't know anything," I say mockingly. I wink at him. "Alright Alex, time for you to get your ass beaten." He looks at me, and just rolls his eyes.

"Aline, you and I both know you can't beat me." I snicker, slowly making my way towards him. He grows wary when I plant myself in front of him.

"Do I, now?" I ask, fluttering my eyelashes, looking up at him innocently. I then strike him with my palm, aiming for his chest, but he blocks it. I narrow my gaze. "Oh, you asked for it." Alex smirks, getting into his fighting stance.

He aims for my legs, and I jump, slapping him on the side of his face. He lands a blow on my shoulder, but I barely