Reclaimed (The Phoenix Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

fitting pants, a white tank top, and a grey sweatshirt. She was tempted to grab the bright red sweatshirt but, the thought of standing out that much made her cringe.
    Just as she has finished getting ready Tracy strolled into the room. She had an easy smile on her face and was swinging a set of keys. She tossed them to Summer who was able to grab it while still in the air.
    “What is this?” asked Summer as she looked down at them. The key was bright red and pretty large.
    “You don't have your wrist markers yet so you won't be able to get in here if I'm not around. This key will open the door.”
    Summer turned it over in her hand. “Why even bother with the wrist things if you can just make these?”
    “They're very hard to make. It's an old magic artifact. After a few months they lose power and just turn to dust. Let's hope by then you can open the doors on your own.”
    Summer nodded and tucked the key in her deep pants pocket. The thing was so heavy she couldn't imagine losing it. At least she hoped she didn't.
    “Now what?” asked Summer.
    “They test how in shape you are,” answered Tracy.
    Summer raised an eyebrow. “And how do they do that?”
    Tracy put her hand on Summer's shoulder and threw the other one forward in a sweeping motion.
    “Picture this,” she said, squinting her eyes. “It's early morning and freezing. You're forced inside a small, cold room where you change into clothes two times too big for you, in front of a bunch of people that you don't know well enough to be seeing you in your underwear. Everyone is judging each other while trying to pretend to keep their eyes forward. You're then thrown on a field where you attempt to stretch and then run a ridiculous mile or play some sport that no one cares about.”
    “High school gym?” whispered Summer.
    Tracy stepped back and laughed. “You are a smart one! That's what this is going to feel like. It'll get better. I promise.”
    Summer eyed her suspiciously. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
    “I think you're cool.”
    Summer continued to stare at her.
    “Fine!” exclaimed Tracy, throwing her hands in the air. “It gets lonely in here being the only one.”
    Summer finally relaxed and offered her a small, genuine smile. “I get it. It sucks being alone.”
    Tracy returned the smile. “Cool. Now let me take you to the trainer.”
    Summer nodded and followed after her. Whatever easiness she was feeling earlier had completely vanished. It now felt like there was a rock in her stomach as she swallowed hard against the rising bile caused by her anxiety.
    They walked through the long, damp smelling halls and entered the courtyard that she had seen yesterday. Standing in the grass were close to two hundred people. They were all dressed similar to her and seemed to be doing the dreaded stretching that Tracy was talking about.
    “I'm working with them today?” asked Summer.
    Tracy shook her head. “No. You'll be working with Troy, a light wielder who will judge how fit you are.”
    “Everyone goes through that?”
    “Usually as groups but, since we don't have a whole lot of new people coming in it's just you today.”
    “Great,” grumbled Summer.
    She looked around the field again and her eyes fell on Ash. He was talking to a small group of wielders who, by their body language, looked nervous.
    “Is Ash a teacher too?”
    “Sort of. He’ll be twenty-one and the age most leave here is twenty-two. The council asked if he could be a mentor but, he still trains with us too.”
    “What happens after four years?” asked Summer.
    Tracy glanced at her with a furrowed brow. “What do you mean? You just go home. That’s it; your training is done.”
    Summer stopped and waited until Tracy had noticed. The girl spun around and gave her a questioning look.
    “Quitting already?” asked Tracy.
    “Nope. I just want to know what the point of this place is.” she put her hand on her hip. “You come to this big, scary castle, learn some