Sorry its been so long. I was in the fire academy and re-certifying for my EMT and its just been busy. I hope you enjoy.

-NinjaBurrito

Chapter 10

"Get your ass moving, girl." Mereoleona shouted from across the stone courtyard. "If you don't move faster, I'm going to light you up!"

Fire exploded a few feet behind Cyan as she serpentine around the training area. Pumping her arms and legs she pushed herself harder and harder till her muscles couldn't go anymore. Another ball of flame shot past her head and she dove to the side. Before she got caught she rolled back to her feet and ran again ignoring the pain where she scraped her hand.

"Run run run! Run shrimp or I'll scatter your useless carcass across the city." The monstrous women cackled. She was enjoying this too much.

Cyan didn't have the breath or opportunity to say anything back as the women heckled her. All she could do was run, dodge, then run again. Her mind was blank, shear instinct was the only thing keeping her going.

Temlar had been tame compared to this mad woman. Cyan had not been prepared for a day of fleeing for her life.

Sweat soaked her clothes despite the chilled air. Her boots bit painfully into her feet and her hair stuck to her neck.

More fire exploded just inches behind her, the shock of the blast swept her from her feet and she slammed to the ground. She slid several yards, arms and shoulders scrapping along the uneven ground.

"Not fast enough girl." Mereoleona cooed as she walked to where Cyan lay winded. "Next time you slow down like that i'll hit you for real."

Cyan struggled to her feet and glared at the women. Mereoleona looked down at her, a wide toothy grin across her face. She waited expectantly to see if Cyan yelled or cursed her. When she didn't the red haired woman nodded as if Cyan had passed some sort of test.

"You ready to go again?"

Cyan wiped the sweat from her face, the sweat stinging the cut in her palm from yesterday. "Yes." She whispered, refusing to back down.

The larger women's smile grew wicked. "Then run!"

"Oh gods, you look terrible." Tinny commented as Cyan sat down at the dining table in the servants hall. She didn't want them bringing her meals to the room anymore. She didn't mind it at first when recovering but now she doesn't want to eat alone. "Ugh and you smell."

"Thanks." Cyan hissed as she took a roll from the center plate and scarfed it down quickly.

"Your also bleeding.'' Another maid commented from across the wide table where she ate soup. Her name was Sarabell and usually shied away from Cyan's gaze as if she could snatch her very soul.

"I'm aware." Cyan started with her mouth full, bits of food falling into her lap.

"And missing a chunk of hair." A man she hadn't seen before added pointing to her ponytail.

Cyan frowned and pulled at her hair to find it was in fact singed by a few inches. Angry, she let the hair go and grabbed another roll, shoving it in her mouth.

"You want me to run you a bath?" Tinny asked as she stood from the table.

Cyan shook her head. "I'm a big girl, I can pour myself a bath."

"Okay, call me if you need someone to bandage you up." Tinny shot over her shoulder as she exited the hall.

"Have a good night." Sarabell whispered as she scurried out of the hall after Tinny.

Cyan was left alone with the nameless man and it didn't take long before the uncomfortable silence became too much. She grabbed a third roll and left the table for her room.

Halfway to the room she usually slept in she stopped and walked back towards Fuegoleon's private suite.

A bathrobe was laid out across the bed and an open box of gauze on the bed side table greeted her. Tinny must have been a mind reader or something because she somehow knew that Cyan would come here.

She sent a mental thank you and grabbed the robe before heading to the attached bathing suite. This tub was much smaller than the one Fuegoleon had taken her to but as long as the water was hot she didn't mind.

"Wake up girl, you're late." There was an angry shout followed by a sharp slap on Cyan's hip.

Cyan's eyes flew open and she sat up angrily. Mereoleona stood over her, hands on her hips and face contorted with fury. "Wha- I still have a day before training!" She hissed and laid back down, pulling the blanket over her head.

"No you have training today, get up!" The blanket was yanked away and a hand wrapped around her ankle, pulling her off the bed.

"I'm sorry Cyan, we tried to wake you. You must have been really tired." Tinny stated somewhere near the door.

Damn. She was finally able to exhaust herself enough to sleep without nightmares interrupting and managed to sleep away an entire day.

"No." She moaned while digging her fingers into the mattress so Mereoleona couldn't pull her off. "Just kill me now, don't make me get up."

The much stronger women yanked her completely off the bed with little resistance. "Oh no there girlie, i'm going to run you down till you have no choice but to use your magic. Then and only then will I see what you are made of."

Cyan hit the floor with a loud bang. She rolled and slowly got to her feet. "Why do you care!" She whined.

The woman's brow twitched and the evil sneer slid off her face for only a moment. "There are a multitude of reasons. For one you are a danger to yourself and others. Your magic is stagnant due to your ignoring it and refusing to learn how to wield it in combat."

"How would you know that." Cyan mumbled and allowed Tinny to help her dress. Her muscles felt like battery acid ran through them and lifting them up was impossible.

Mereoleona crossed her arms. "I talked to Temlar."

Ugh! He was really starting to get on her nerves.

"The second reason is simple. You need to prove your not your mother. Now that people are aware of you your life's in danger. I will make sure you can protect yourself and those around when that happens. Since my brother isn't listening to me about your presents in his life then I don't want him in the line of fire. Idiot." She continued and looked away as Tinny helped Cyan get a shirt on. There was a hiss as she added. "And if you want any chance of being with him then you'll need to prove to me you are worthy."

Cyan and Tinny both paused at the final statement. "Wait. if I can prove myself, prove I can control my magic you won't get in the way with...with that?"

Tinny smiled and continued tugging the shirt in place.

"Yes. You still have many roadblocks but I won't be one. I believe in strength and character, not bloodlines. But I am one of very few." She turned and pinned Cyan with a stare. "But you'll have to defeat me first."

Cyan chewed on that as she got her training pants and boots on. Even if she had spent all this time training her magic she would still never be able to beat her but… but she would try or die trying. Filled with new found energy she jumped up and storde to the door. "Lets go."

"Well that was easier than I thought it would be." Mereoleona murmured as she followed Cyan out the door.

Tinny followed, carrying the crumpled rob. "I can admire a person who knows what she wants."

Back at the training ground Cyan stretched out her sore muscles and ran through the breathing techniques Temlar had ingrained in her. With her death and slow recovery she had got soft and felt like she was starting back over at square one.

Many of the Crimson Lion King mages lined the high walls around the training ground to watch her and Mereoleona train.

If they were hoping to be impressed by the exchange then they'd be sorely let down. Word apparently spread through all the squads regarding the daughter of The Witch of Nightmares and many wished to see her in action. The women who save one of the strongest mages to come from the Vermillion family must be powerful and deadly. All they were going to see was her getting her ass kicked again.

"You ready?" Mereoleona asked as she removed her heavy coat down to a sleeveless undershirt. Her powerful arms bulged as she moved and Cyan sighed. Tall, beautiful, deadly and could rip a man's head off with little effort. How was she going to beat her?

Before Cyan could answer a shout rang across the training ground and a young red haired boy ran towards them. "I want to fight her next sister! Please can I fight her!" He yelled, arms waving excitedly.

The boy was a small pocket sized Fuegoleon. Well, pocket size compared to the captain but of course taller than her. She had heard the maids talk about the youngest Vermillion, Leopold, who lived on the squad base and trained day and night.

He ran right up to Cyan and grabbed her hands in his own, excitement filling his face.

"Can I fight you! I want to see your Nightmare magic and the shadow thing you do. Please." He beamed down at her.

Cyan blinked as he talked a million words a minute. She pulled her hands from his and grabbed his face forcing his head down. His eyes were a different color than his older sibling and still held a spark of childhood innocence. Outside of that there weren't many differences.

Their parents genes really said copy and paste with all three siblings.

He stuttered when she grabbed him but didn't pull away. "What are you doing?"

She turned his face several times before smiling. "Your so cute!'' She squealed and smooshed his face. "Your like a little Fuegoleon! I bet this is what he looked like at your age. I'm going to keep you. My own little pocket Feugo!"

He tried to pull away from her but she pulled him back down and kissed his cheek. "Nope there's no escaping now."

"Sister help!" He howled and reached for her to save him.

Mereoleona shook her head and clicked her tongue. "Nope you started this. You get away from her. "

"Traitor." He shouted and again tried to break the connection.

"You so cute." Cyan continued mushing his cheeks to make his face look fuller. She finally let go after a minute, Leopold fell back and hit the ground rubbing his red cheeks.

"What's wrong with you!" He shouted, embarrassed by the exchange.

"You know it might not be a bad idea for you two to spare a little. That way I can observe." Mereoleona stated and helped her brother to his feet.

Cyan bounced on her feet and smiled at him menacingly. "I'm game."

Leopold took a step back. "I think I have work to do." He stammered.

Cyan was enjoying this too much and watching the uneasiness fill him was fun. Ah yes, she forgot how fun it was to mess with people and she did miss it.