I was, actually, not thinking when the first strike fired, because I was shocked that Ruby's whip cracked not at me, but precisely at Grey's face. The split leather tip would have kissed his right cheek had he not vanished a fraction of a second before it made contact.
I started to gasp but before I'd drawn in the breath, Rhys' staff had reached forward and twisted Ruby's whip from her hand. She spun to plant a kick in Rider's chest but he threw his hand forward and tensed before she connected and she was flung back, landing low on her hands and feet a few yards back, like a cat set to pounce. Grey appeared suddenly, in the middle of the fray, and hurled his fists forward. I could almost see the force that flew from them as it impacted Rhys and Rider's chests, tossing them backward and nearly off their feet.
Someone was behind me and, without meaning to, I spun with my arm wide as I turned, heaving energy to block the assailant. When I saw Ruby pitch back, she was smiling and I realized I'd known she intended attack. I watched as she landed softly but, before I had a chance to speak, I felt it again, coming for my back, and I spun left, this time thrusting my right hand forward in the spin, under my left arm. I saw the energy hit Grey's chest and push him backward just as Rhys approached my side and the ground came from under my feet.
Before I hit the floor, I used the same force to push against it and straighten myself. I was very near regaining my footing when I was hit again, this time not prepared, and fell backward only to be shoved by some unseen force to standing. I was facing Rider now, several yards back, as he launched his fist forward. I knew what was coming for me and, unable to make time to find the others and a safe escape, I threw my own energy out in response. The two must have collided because, just a breath in front of me, the air seemed to explode.
"Very nice, Elfreda," Rhys commented and I realized they'd all returned to their relaxed postures. And then my legs collapsed.
I heard a few snickers as Ruby helped me to my feet and pulled a stool over. I was sitting down before I noticed Rhys was helping Rider to his feet. "What happened?" I asked, confused.
"You defeated him," Grey explained.
"How?"
"You overpowered him," Ruby said, but I couldn't tell if she was still annoyed or merely stunned. My mind tried to catch up with the mêlée I'd just not suffered through.
"How could I?" I almost whispered.
"What do you mean?" Grey asked.
"I mean, how could I have? I don't have near what anyone else has."
Though my voice was hushed, Rhys answered from where he stood. "Elfreda, you are of the most powerful line in the north."
I stared blankly at him, but Ruby seemed to understand. Probably because she'd read the flippin' diary. "Freya, though you are merely half elf, your mother was of the strongest line of light and dark. The magic that allows their rule may be lesser in you than your kin, but it remains stronger than most..." she glanced at Rider with an apology in her gaze as she searched for the right word, "others."
I sat silently as her words sank in and then took me to ideas that were wholly new to me. My mother's diary had said that Asher had taken Vita for her strength, and rumor of a unique power. My mother had been chosen as his secondary over Fannie, not merely because of her features, but because she'd hidden her gift from him. And then he'd had Rune train me. I thought of what I'd learned of the events that brought council to my mother on that unspeakable day. I examined the differences in the accounts that didn't come from Chevelle. Ruby had said the rise of the north, not the rule. And Rhys had called it "the issue of northern rule." They'd made it sound as if the north had been poised to take over everything before the conflict.
I stopped, chiding myself for having an overactive imagination. But then I remembered what I'd heard just this morning when I'd asked Rhys about Junnie. The new council.
"Frey," Ruby placed a hand on my shoulder, "are you all right?"
I didn't think I was. All the training, all that stupid we're trying to protect you crap, it was all because people were trying to kill me, and it made sense now.
"Frey?" Ruby questioned again.
"Yeah," I said, forcing a smile, "I think I overdid it. I'm going to go to my room."
"Okay," she said, moving to come with me.
"No," I assured her, "I'm okay to go on my own." She didn't look like she agreed, so I faked humor. "Ruby, I just defeated my guard." She was piqued, which made Grey laugh, but, when I realized that it was true, my stomach turned and I hurried out before they could see me go pale.