Charlie Gyid 2 by Anysia Eaton (book club books .TXT) 📕

on the dragon but was staring intensely in my direction. Worry and sadness in his eyes.
It happened so quickly, one moment he was stood staring at me, the next he had been knocked back by a blast of fire. He hit the glass wall and then fell down landing on the floor with a thud – that was hidden by the loud gasp from the audience.
I quickly pulled my hand from Sir Malice’s grip and ran to the door of the glass box, closely followed by Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente. I ran in and straight to Brad. Mark had beaten me there. He had set out his dragon and was now stammering his apologies “I’m sorry Brad. I didn’t know you weren’t ready. I’m sorry.”
“Brad?” I asked as I rolled him onto his back.
He groaned and placed his hand on his stomach – where the main part of the blast hit him. He had his eyes slammed shut.
“Brad? Talk to me. Are you okay?” I begged.
His eyes shot open. He struggled to sit up.
“I’m fine, Charlie” he whispered.
I wasn’t convinced but I knew it wouldn’t help to argue so I nodded my head anyway. I pulled him to his feet.
Mark was stuttering his apologies. “I’m sorry Brad, I really am... I’m sorry.”
“Mark, it’s not your fault, it’s mine. Don’t stress yourself.” Brad whispered to Mark as I helped him out of the box.
“Mark, introduce the next act. Brad and come and sit with me” I said.
I took Brad up to where we were sat. Sir Malice had a large grin plastered on his face. Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente sat down on their chairs. I help Brad into my seat. There was just enough room on the chair for me to fit in as well. The closeness of me and Brad now annoyed Sir Malice, but I just pretended I didn’t notice his frown.
“Are you sure you are okay?” I asked Brad concerned by fact he still had his hand on his stomach.
“I may have a few bruises in the morning but apart from that I’m fine.” He replied smiling.
“And now onto the next act. I am proud to welcome on to the stage Edward Sarvatti and his amazing Ashid, Richard” Announce Mark as the immediate panic died down.
Edward was a sixth year who owned over ten different magic creatures. An Ashid is a creature that looks similar to a snake, but it is three times the size of the largest snake in existence and it’s skin is a metallic silver. Edward’s Ashid had been nicknamed Richard and had been trained spotlessly. During his performance Edward demonstrated different hunting techniques, and certain traits and skills of an Ashid.
I’d always been a little scared of snakes so it felt comforting when Brad took my hand left hand in his right.
“And now for the final act. I am very lucky to be able to introduce Gabrielle Westwards and Cameron Elliot who are going to be Demonstrating the unique act of Battle.”
Gabby and her usual Battle partner entered the box. Gabby had told me herself how excited she was about this. She had been flattered when Mr Wilson – our Battle teacher – had asked her to showcase Battle with her partner. It was only her and Cameron that was surprised. The rest of us could see it coming. Everybody knew they were the best at battle – even the best out of all the trainee guards.
They performed spotlessly for several minutes. Fulfilling the purpose of a final act. To impress the audience. To have them leave talking only about the final act. Each move that Gabby and Cameron did liked almost sequenced like in a modern action movie. I could see Mr Wilson smirking on the other side of the room. Brad had gathered my other hand in both of his.
“Thank you so much for coming so see the show. I hope you enjoyed it.” Said Gabby just finishing seconds before the room erupted into applause.
As Gabby disappeared, everybody started to leave. I turned my full attention to Brad.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I’m fine, Charlie, stop panicking.” He replied pushing a bit of my hair behind my ear. “Are you ready to go?”
I nodded.
“Urm Charlie” Sir Malice interrupted as both Brad and I stood.
Both Brad and I turned to face him.
“I wish to ask you a question, but I don’t want to ask in front of all these people. Perhaps you will join me in my room after school tomorrow?” he asked.
“I looked to Brad. He regrettably nodded. I turned to Sir Malice and nodded.
“I will come as soon as Battle is finished, but right now I’m going to take care of Brad” I said, putting Brad’s right arm over my shoulders and placed my left arm around his waist – for dramatic effect.
Sir Malice frowned and trod out of the room. I turned to lead Brad out but I bumped into Sir Mallot. He had be stood directly behind me. He had listened to what had just been said. Apprehension and worry clear on his face. Did he know what Sir Malice was going to ask me? How did he know? His face worried me. It must be something terrible to make Sir Mallot look that worried. I’d only ever seen him that worried and that was then Malietta managed to take over a Warlock’s body and then kill the Warlock using his own hands. What was Sir Malice going to ask me?

CHAPTER TEN
PROPOSAL
That night from the moment Brad and I left the training room could have been a lot better. Every other second was filled with talk about Sir Malice’s question. As soon as we were out of eye sight Brad moved his arm down my back so he could hold me by the waist. I removed my arm all together. I took his left hand with my left hand. He fiddled with my engagement ring as we walked to our special spot, in the garden. It was still early in the evening so we didn’t want to go to bed yet.
Our usual spot was wonderful – as per usual. We sat in the very spot that Brad proposed to me.
“Are you sure you are okay?” I asked him.
“Charlie!” He moaned. “I’m fine”
“I don’t get it. What happened? You were doing fine when we were practising” I asked.
“I... It’s going to sound stupid, but I got... worried”
“Worried? About what? You knew when the fire was going to fire” I asked.
He took both my hands in his. He looked me in the eye. “Not about me stupid... about you. That bloodsucker...” he sneered the word. “...had your hand in his... and I saw, in my head what happened to my great grandmother... but it wasn’t her marrying the leech... it was you. The thought... of using you, killed me inside.”
“I will never let you lose me” I whispered. I didn’t mean for it to come out whispered but my voice wouldn’t go any louder.
“Not on purpose” he murmured moving a piece of my hair to behind my ear, again.
“No. You will always have my heart, no matter what happens” I said wiggling into his arms. I lay my head on his shoulder. He kissed the side of my forehead. I lifted my head so I could kiss him in the lips. He beat me to the kiss.
...
My eyes fluttered opened. My body was shaking from being so cold. I looked about. The sky above us was dark and clear, so we could see the stars. It was obviously night time. Brad was lay next to me. His clothes were hung up – along with mine – on the closest bush.
I quickly jumped up and rushed to the bush as Brad started to stir. I grabbed his clothes and threw them to him.
“What? It’s still dark” he moaned.
“Yes, and have you seen where we are?” I didn’t give him chance to reply. “We’re still in the garden. If we get caught...”
I didn’t have to say anymore, he shot up and rushed to put on his clothes.
Once dressed, we snuck out into the corridor, snickering like little children who don’t want to be caught. Nobody can ever help but laugh when this much adrenalin his rushing through your veins. We managed to reach out room without being caught but Sir Mallot, Mistress Halsente and Jeff were all waiting in our bedroom. As soon as we stepped in –still laughing our heads off – we spotted them. Us and our laughter froze.
The next movement shocked me. I was expecting them to yell, discuss seriously, give us a hard talk or just stare us down. Instead Jeff rushed to me and hugged me tightly, almost suffocating me. I pulled back so I could breathe. “What’s going on?”
Sir Mallot, Mistress Halsente and Jeff looked at each other uneasy. I looked at each one in turn. They all looked as worried as each other.
“What’s going on? You’re starting to worry me” I asked taking Brad’s hand. He squeezed it tight.
“We’re worried” started Sir Mallot.
I nodded for him to continue.
He opened his mouth, as if to talk, but nothing came out. The worry in his eyes were distinct.
“Sir Mallot heard Sir Malice ask if he could ask you a question, privately, in his room” continued Mistress Halsente.
I nodded.
“We want you to avoid answering that question until you’ve talked to us about it” finished Jeff.
“Do you know what the question will be?” I asked.
“We have a good guess. But it’s not for us to tell you. But promise us you’ll do what we say” replied Jeff taking hold of my shoulders.
“I promise” I said.
“Now, it’s late. We shall see you two in lessons tomorrow” Said Mistress Halsente fitting her arm in Sir Mallot’s. He still had his eyes filled with worry as Jeff and Mistress Halsente lead him out.
“Whatever he asks, it’s going to be a hard choice isn’t it? I bet that’s why Sir Mallot is so worried.” I grumbled slumping on the bed.
Brad crawled next to me, grabbed me by the waist and pulled my closer to him.
“It’ll be alright. I won’t let anything happen to you” he murmured into my ear as he planted small kisses on the skin behind my ear.
...
BEEP.BEEP.BEEP.
“We really need a new alarm” I grumbled.
Brad leaned over me, pressing his chest on mine, and turned the alarm off as he laughed, “and I need to teach you how to turn it off.”
I laughed. “I do know how to turn it off I just prefer it this way”
“What? Me crushing you every morning?” he asked jokingly.
“No you being this close every morning” I replied giggling. He tired to move back but I grabbed him and held him there.
For once the school day went fast but on a day I wished it wouldn’t. Mistress Halsente and Jeff both tried to make me feel better but they just made me feel worse or took my mind off it completely – which really isn’t what I wanted, I wanted to feel better about it. Mistress Halsente blabbered on about not feeling pressured and they would respect the decision and they would support me through the consequences. I think that was meant to make me feel better about the upcoming decision but it just made me feel even more nervous. Jeff didn’t make me feel any better either. He just directed my worry onto another topic. He decided to go for distracting me and so he did a very fatherly and embarrassing thing.
“Charlie, listen.