A little snippet from An Absent Gale

A little snippet from Derek and mines soon to be released An Absent Gale. Hope you enjoy.

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The arena on the north end of the campus buzzed with excitement. Alexi entered right behind Vitaly. Zoya trailed behind. The whole school was here with a large part of the city. It was filled to the brim. Finding a seat was going to be tough.

Vitaly maneuvered through the crowd. It was a slow dance as they bobbed and weaved around the mingling people. Halfway around the edge of the stands, Alexi spotted Professor Petrov talking to hood covered man. They were deep in conversation. Alexi turned to Zoya, “Who do you think that is?” He pointed at Petrov.

Zoya tilted her head. “No idea. Somebody dangerous.”

Alexi gulped. Ever since Petrov revealed, he was willing to let Alexi die to hear the Prophecy Alexi skin tingled when he saw him. It made classes with him challenging. “Not good.”

“Nothing he does is good,” Zoya said.

Vitaly stopped suddenly causing Alexi to run into him. “Ouch,” Vitaly said.

“Sorry,” Alexi said.

“This looks like a good spot,” Vitaly said. He found a section that had a few spots open on the bench seating in the area. It was near the top, not the best view but it would work.

“Sure,” Zoya said. “Looks like great seats to me.”

For her anything that wasn’t close to the action was great. At least this time she didn’t bring a book.

They walked up to the spots before anyone could take them. Alexi sat down Zoya quickly joined him. Vitaly paused for a moment, “Hey. I’m going to get a drink you want anything?”

“Sure,” Alexi said. Zoya shook her head.

“Be right back.”

Vitaly dashed down the stairs pulling out his coppers before he reached the bottom. He was joined by a man with a scarred face and wore a brown hood. They rounded the stands together and vanished from Alexi’s view. For a brief moment, Alexi worried about Vitaly. But it wasn’t long before he returned carrying two berry meads. He handed one to Alexi and sat next to him. Vitaly appeared pleased with himself.

Zoya leaned over. “I can’t believe you.”

Vitaly shrugged. “Don’t judge me.”

It suddenly dawned on Alexi who that shady man that Vitaly talked to below was. He made a bet on the match. Vitaly had promised he’d scale back on it. He’s lost more money than Alexi had ever had. It infuriated Alexi that he wasted so much money. It could have gone to better use in Alexi’s mind. Vitaly kept talking about finding the Warden, and that money would help.

“Oh. Look who it is,” a nasal voice said. A few rows away were Lev, another student in the same year as them. “The little Urod who cried the world is ending.”

Vitaly’s nostrils flared, and he stood up with a clenched fist. Alexi hated that word ever since the first time he heard it. Most civilized people wouldn’t use it. Some in Nebu felt individuals who weren’t from certain bloodlines weren’t supposed to have Elementalist abilities. And should never be allowed in Oblako. It was in their eyes an elite instruction and had to have higher standards. “Shut your mouth,” Vitaly said.

“Did I upset you,” Lev hissed. “Your little pet friend looks like he is going to cry.”

“Ignore him,” Zoya said through gritted teeth. “He’s not worth it.”