Faery Born (Book One in the War Faery Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her friends with details of the naughtier parts of last night’s date with Sir Lionel Heartfelt. That reminded me that I had to go to work after fencing and I raced up to my room to grab my uniform.
    Sabby’s face was floating in my bedroom mirror when I entered. Dubiously, I pulled my wand out of my hair and approached it; I’d never attempted reflective surface communications before. It wasn’t a difficult spell, but it allowed you to talk over long distances. You could project yourself into any reflective surface at your desired destination but could not see anything until the spell was activated.
    I pointed my wand at the mirror and said, ‘Speakius clearius.’ Her face, which had been lifeless, immediately became animated.
    ‘Oh good, you’re home,’ she said.
    ‘Just heading out to fencing,’ I informed her.
    ‘Oh buzznuckle, I’m dying to hear about your dress.’
    ‘I didn’t get one.’
    ‘Seriously? It’s only a week till your party.’
    I groaned and pulled a face at her. ‘Everything looks like a sack on me.’ I stared enviously at her curves.
    ‘Do you want me to go shopping with you tonight?’
    ‘I’m working tonight.’ Even though I knew I needed to find a dress, I was secretly relieved I had a reason not to go. I’d been demoralised enough for one day already. ‘Better go, I’m running late for fencing.’
    She pouted and then blew me a kiss. I lifted my wand and said, ‘Bye. Clearius communius.’ Her beautiful face disappeared, leaving me staring at my sweaty one. Even for July it was warm.
    I wound the car windows down and turned the radio up, enjoying the warm summer breeze ruffling my hair.
    I grabbed my bag and hurried in to change. Most of the others were already waiting when I emerged. I ran my eye along them looking for my friend Thomas, and that was when I saw her.
    Isgranelda stood off to the side, a sour look on her face as she ran a finger over the point of her weapon. She pulled her finger away, squeezing the tip till a drop of blood welled.
    What was she doing there? Was she trying to ruin my life?
    ‘All right everybody.’ Henry Lipton, our fencing teacher, moved to the middle of the room. ‘Gather round.’
    Thomas stood beside me as we gathered into a group around Henry. ‘You got a dog?’ he asked.
    ‘I got a familiar.’
    He stared at Scruffy for a few seconds. ‘Cool.’
    I could feel Isgranelda’s gaze from the opposite side of the circle. Normally that would have made me nervous but suddenly I didn’t care. I was sick of being bullied. I was sick of being scared. I met her eyes and gave her a small, tight smile. Her eyes narrowed in response as she examined me.
    ‘Today we are going to practise all-combat fencing,’ Henry said.
    Some of the students around the circle let out a groan. All-combat fencing – where anything was allowed – could be violent. There were often injuries that required a trip to the Broken Bone Section of the hospital. Even though the medics there could heal you straight away, it didn’t take away from the fact that the initial injury, and the healing, were painful.
    ‘Who’d like to go first?’ He looked around for a volunteer.
    ‘I will.’ I stepped forward and looked at Isgranelda, raising an eyebrow in a silent dare.
    ‘Very good Isadora. Who wants to challenge her?’ Henry asked.
    ‘I will,’ Isgranelda growled, wrenching her weapon from its guard. ‘Okay?’ she asked, holding it up for me to view.
    She held an epee – a slim, flexible sword. I preferred the sabre, which could be used for cutting as well as thrusting, but I had issued the challenge and couldn’t back out now.
    ‘Sure,’ I said, aiming for nonchalance. Thomas handed me his epee, picked up Scruffy, and joined the rest of the students backing away from us. It wasn’t uncommon for an onlooker to suffer collateral damage when all-combat fencing became fierce.
    ‘Izzy.’ I could hear Thomas whispering from behind me. ‘What are you