Bones and Ashes by Gemma Holden Read Free Book Online Page A

she made her rounds
    Fencing was one of the few things she did well. She trained for hours at a time with Pierre, one of her family’s ghosts. There was little else to do when she was alone at her family’s estates in Northumberland.
    They sparred back and forth for a while. Suddenly, Cassade stopped and pulled off her face mask.
    “What is it?” Raiden asked. She turned to see what Cassade was looking at. Glacia and Marigold were fencing. The blonde earth witch was trying her best, but Glacia was far more skilled. Glacia lunged. She hit Marigold in the chest and again on the side of her thigh where she had no protection. Cassade shook her head in disgust. They were meant to only hit on the chest and to strike only once. Raiden looked around for Mrs Lynch, but she was on the other side of the hall. Glacia forced Marigold back. Marigold stumbled and fell to the fall.
    Glacia pulled off her face mask. She saw Raiden and Cassade watching and raised an eyebrow, daring them to say something as she walked away. Raiden and Cassade helped Marigold to her feet. She was cradling her wrist.
    “Are you hurt?” Raiden asked.
    Marigold shook her head. “No. It’s just bruised.”
    “You should tell Mrs Lynch,” Cassade said. “She’s wasn’t fighting fairly.”
    “Please don’t say anything.”
    “Why are you girls just standing there?” Now there was no need for her, Mrs Lynch had appeared. “Marigold pair up with Cassade.”
    “That leaves Raiden on her own,” Cassade said.
    Mrs Lynch looked around the room until her eyes fell on Glacia, who stood leaning against the wall, examining her nails. “She can partner Glacia.” They made no move to do what she had said. “Glacia, you’re partnering Raiden,” Mrs Lynch called.
    Cassade hesitated.
    “It’s fine,” Raiden said. Cassade nodded and went with Marigold, although she kept looking back over her shoulder. Raiden tensed as Glacia pushed away from the wall and sauntered over. 
    Glacia didn’t say anything to her. She gave a short nod and then put on her mask and took up her position facing her. It was only the icy look in her pale eyes that told Raiden she wasn’t happy about being paired with her.
    Glacia lunged and Raiden parried. They didn’t start slow, but began in earnest. Glacia was a good match; they were both of a similar ability. Glacia was constantly on the attack, trying to find an opening. They were supposed to take turns attacking while the other defended, but Glacia was lightning fast, never giving Raiden a chance to attack back.
    Glacia lunged and hit Raiden on her leg. Raiden cried out. She was supposed to only strike her on the padded jacket. The blunt edge of the foil meant she couldn’t break the skin, but she could bruise her.
    “Girls.” Mrs Lynch had finally stopped pretending to be oblivious to what was going on in the hall. “I think you should stop now.”
    While Raiden hesitated, Glacia lunged again, giving her no chance to defend herself. The foil was knocked from Raiden’s hand, leaving her defenceless. Glacia lunged, but before she could strike, she was picked up and flung back into the air. 
    “That’s enough.” Mrs Lynch stepped between them. “Gale, you can put her down now.”
    Gale lowered her hands and Glacia dropped slowly to the floor
    “We got carried away,” Glacia said, as she took off her mask and shook out her long white hair.
    Raiden didn’t take her eyes from Glacia. The ice witch met her gaze and smiled smugly.
    “I think that’s enough for today,” Mrs Lynch said. “Class is over.”
    Glacia shouldered by her as she walked over to Blaize. Raiden didn’t react. She went to put the protective clothing and the foil back on the table.
    “You need to speak to Grumble about them,” Cassade said, as they headed up to their bedrooms to change. They had to hurry; their rooms were the furthest away.
    “I can’t,” Raiden said. She couldn’t bear to go to Miss Grimble. What would she say? That Blaize