The blaring of my alarm clock pulled me out of deep sleep. I slammed my hand down on the offensive device. I slowly opened my eyes and attempted to blink the exhaustion out of them. I sat up and stretched my back and shoulders out trying to wake up to reality. I stared blankly at the wall for some time before my brain finally caught up to me. I rose to my feet and walked blindly across my room to flick on the light switch. My eyes watered at the sudden change and I tried to blink them free. 

I shook my head and quickly tried to gather all my running gear. I changed and slid on my shoes. I skipped down the stairs excited to get running for the day. I slammed to a stop in the kitchen. 

“Mom?” I questioned. She was never up this early. 

“Oh! Aadya you startled me!” She jumped. The bowl that was in her hand stayed floating in the air where she had let go of it to clutch at her chest. 

“Sorry, Mom. I am gonna head out for a run.” I said, still confused but eager to get out there. She nodded, grabbing the bowl from the air. 

“Have fun. Breakfast will be ready when you get back.” She said with a smile. I slowly turned out of the kitchen and stepped outside. 

The air was crisp. I could see my breath as I stood on the porch. I stretched out my muscles, warming them up for the brisk run. I rolled my neck and set out down the driveway. 

I never got winded, no matter how hard I sprinted. My run only lasted 30 minutes, but I ran about 4 miles. I stepped into the house. The smell of biscuits and bacon enveloped me. I sighed as my stomach grumbled at the smell. 

I walked into the kitchen and started piling food onto my plate. I carefully balanced some fruit on my overfull plate and grabbed the toast out of the toaster on my way to the table. Right as I sat down a mug of coffee made its way to me from the other side of the kitchen. I took a sip proud of my Magik. 

“How was the run?” Mom said, popping her head in from the living room. I swallowed the bite of toast I had just taken. 

“Cold but amazing. What’s with all the food?” I replied. She simply shrugged before starting back down the hall. She stopped and came back. 

“Don’t be late for school today. I can’t keep making excuses for you.” She said with her mom voice. I nodded. I glanced up at the clock to see how much time I had before school. I had one hour to get ready. I choked down the rest of my breakfast, so I had time to take a shower. I placed my plate in the sink and sprinted up the stairs. 

One hour later I was running down the stairs with my bookbag slamming against my back. 

“Bye Mom!” I hollered as I slammed the door shut behind me. I sprinted to the bus stop praying to the Gods that the driver was running a little late. I skidded to stop by the group of kids still waiting for the bus. I sighed in relief as the bus made its way around the corner. 

“Not skipping school today Aadya?” My best friend joked. I grinned. 

“My mom would have my head if she got another call from the headmaster,” I replied as we stepped onto the bus. There was a strange tension as kids whispered around me before I took my seat. I glanced around once I was in my seat. Some of the other kids were watching me expectantly. 

“Did something happen?” I asked Sarah. She waved it off. 

“Some Pyro showed up to the school claiming you were Mixed.” She said off-handedly. My world stopped for a second. Nobody was supposed to know I was Mixed. 

“Not that it is possible. My dad said the Mixed died a while ago and another hasn’t been born yet.” Sarah kept rambling. I was only half listening. I was wondering how they found me. 

“Aadya are you okay?” She asked. I glanced up at her and realized I had been lost in thought for some time. 

“Don’t worry about it. The headmaster isn’t going to let that freak anywhere near you.” She said I was a little taken aback. Nobody had called the Pyros or Wizards freaks before. At least I had never heard of it. 

“Did I upset you?” She asked, confused. 

“Umm, no. I just didn’t expect you to say that. It kind of surprised me.” I explained rather quickly. 

“Well after this Pyromancer showed up yesterday and demanded to see you, my dad talked to me about what the two used to do during the war. I have decided that they are both freaks. Idiotic freaks at that.” She said casually. At that, I snickered. The war was terrible. Plagued people all over the world for centuries. 

As we continued toward school more of my friends got onto the ride with us. We all joked most of the ride about how I couldn't possibly be the Mixed.

“I mean have you ever seen her in the gym? I didn’t think so.” Sarah joked. I gripped my chest in feigned hurt. 

“Wow! You guys just like pointing out all of my flaws don’t you?” I laughed. By the time the bus pulled into the school lot the entirety of my friends were giggling. That’s when I saw him. 

My heart sank into my stomach. Bile leaped into the back of my throat. I saw the two Pyromancers standing in the bus drop-off zone. They stood out from the rest of the students. They were wearing traditional Pyromancer robes. The colors were red which meant they were soldiers. There was only one that I knew. 

Thomas helped me control my flame when I was young. He was my father's best friend before he passed away. He is the only one out of the two races that know of my existence. He swore to my mother that he wouldn't tell a soul about me. He had agreed with my mother’s decision to take me away at the time. 

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“I can not believe they are here. ” Sarah said with venom dripping from her voice. I slowly nodded. I really couldn’t agree with her more on this one. My eyes met Thomas’s as he watched our bus pull into the lot. 

“I can’t fucking believe it. ” I said to Sarah after a second went by. The bus filled up with chatter and glances my way as the bus stopped. Students quickly stood and tried to get to the front to get off first. I slowly grabbed my bag and stood. I was fuming. I could feel the pull of the pyromancer’s flame trying to break free of my over-emotional state. I took a deep steadying breath. 

It seemed to take forever to get off the bus. Students were gathering around the Pyromancers. They wanted to see what would happen next. I needed to pretend that Thomas had not just betrayed my mother. I needed to act like I knew nothing. I took a deep breath and prepared to feign ignorance. 

“Aadya!” Thomas yelled the second I came into view. My eyes snapped towards him and narrowed. I cocked my head to the side. 

“How do you know my name?” I asked, letting more confusion show through. He blinked. I could tell that irritated him. He was always an open book. 

“Don’t play stupid girl. We know who you are.” The other said. I fought back a grin. Cocky bastard. 

“Don’t play stupid Sir. I don't know who you are. You surely don't know me.” I stated. Sarah tugged at my arm. I turned to look at her. She mouthed at me that we should just leave. I nodded. I turned to look back at the Pyros just as a fireball was coming at me. I reacted. I didn’t think. I caught it in my hands and watched as it fizzled out. Gasps went through the air. My eyes slid up to the other Pyromancer. Silent rage burned deep in my core for the disrespect.

“HOW DARE YOU!” I yelled. Thomas caught me as I lunged. His grip tightened as I struggled to pull loose. The other one pulled his blade and grinned. Thomas was struggling to keep me contained as all my pent-up energy was starting to leak through my rage. The heat started to burn my skin and I could smell burning cloth as I struggled to pull free from Thomas. His grin made me struggle harder and Thomas grumbled through his frustration. 

“Aadya!” My mother's voice rang out. I stopped quite suddenly as I looked for her in the crowd. I barely registered Thomas tapping out some burning spots on his robes while I searched for her. I was shocked she was here. She hated leaving the house. She was being followed by the headmaster who was encouraging people to class. 

“You are a lot stronger than I remember. ” Thomas said a little winded. Pride surged in my chest as he spoke. I glanced at him and smiled a little at the compliment. Frustration burned hotter though and I quickly glared daggers at the other soldier.

“You need to get this one under control. ” I growled at him. He nodded. 

“Yeah, he shouldn’t be allowed to open his mouth.” My mother said from behind me. I grinned before turning to the headmaster. 

“Sir, I am sorry. I shouldn’t have caused a scene like that. I just lost my temper.” I said with my head bowed. 

“And you had every right to! Throwing fireballs at my students! Are you dense? I should report you to the Pyromancer Council.” He said getting louder with every word. My jaw almost dropped. The headmaster had never yelled like that. He was always a quiet and reserved man. 

“I mean we had to prove she was the Mixed. This was significantly faster.” He stumbled on his words. I snickered. 

“All you prove is that I am a Pyromancer. Nothing more.” I laughed. 

“No Pyromancer is playing hide and seek with Normies, Aadya.” The headmaster said. I bowed my head slightly. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks. 

“Aadya, please forgive my apprentice. He acted without thinking.” Thomas said with a bow. I sighed and looked at the kid. I knew what Thomas wanted me to do. I took a steady breath. It was important for me to show mercy to both sides. That’s what the Mixed was all about; bringing the two sides together. 

“What’s your name?” I asked. My sudden calmness must have surprised him. He looked at Thomas confused, Thomas just nodded with encouragement. I think the nod was for both of us as anxiety flooded my system. 

“Chris. My name is Chris.” He replied, bowing his head. I nodded. I focused my energy and opened the palm of my hand. 

I let a small bead of flame pool in my hand like it was a liquid. I stared at it until I got the color to turn blue. It took me a moment since I was out of practice. Once it was a brilliant shade of blue I met Chris’s eye. He stared uncertainly. 

“Chris, I, Aadya, formally forgive you for physically attacking me and for any shame this ordeal has caused. ” I stated. I reached out my hand and offered him the flame. If he takes it and doesn't get burned he truly is apologetic. If he gets burned he is to be punished by Thomas however he sees fit.  I hoped he was for his sake. 

Chris slowly reached out his hand and took the flame. He slowly let it extinguish in his hand to reveal perfect skin underneath. No burns. I nodded. My anxiety was released all at once. 

“So what now?” I asked the small group. Most of the students had been herded back to their respective classes. 

“ We need you to return to the two Councils. The Wizards are pushing towards another war.” Thomas whispered. My head whipped up to meet his gaze. It was my only duty to keep the two Councils from going to war. 

“We better stop at home. All my traditional robes are there. As well as my blades.” I said thoughtfully. My hands tingled as nervousness flooded my system. 

“There is no time.” my mother said, stepping forward. She grabbed my hand and Thomas’s. Thomas reached and grabbed Chris right as swirling green Magik surrounded us. I looked around as the scenery changed to the Pyromancer school. The Magik stopped and Thomas laughed as Chris leaned over and barfed. I tried not to snicker. I used Magik to clean away the vomit and gave Chris a soft smile. I could tell he was thankful that I was saving him the embarrassment. 

“Thomas, you return quickly!” An older gentleman rushed forward. His purple robes give him away as an Elder. Thomas and Chris bow deeply as the elder approaches. I study him for a second before slightly bowing my head. 

“Elder John. I returned with Aadya. She is the Mixed.” Thomas says as he straightens from the bow. Chris stays bowed for a second longer before also straightening. I hear several audible gasps as Thomas' announcement is heard by many. I ignore the stares as people stop what they are doing to study me. 

“Aadya. Why does Thomas think you are Mixed?” Elder John turns to me with a curious smile. I raise an eyebrow. I look to Thomas and my mom for guidance. Thomas is just looking at me expectantly. My mom raises her hand with her palm up. Magik swirls in the palm of one hand while the other stays empty. I sigh. I have been away for a long time. Traditions are a little lost on me now. 

I step towards the Elder with my palms held forward. I focus on Magik first, letting it swirl in my hand and up my arm as my power has grown since I have last done this. I let my Magik stay as I focused on the flames on the other hand. They grew and swirled up my arm to match the Magik. My eyes rose to meet the Elders. I knew they had since changed colors to reflect the colors of each arm. 

“When did she gain so much power?” Thomas whispered. My mom fiercely shook her head. I have been keeping most of my strength hidden. Even now I kept the two calmer. 

“Welcome home Aadya.” Elder John whispered. I released the Magik and extinguished the flames at the same time. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. This hasn’t been my home in a very long time. It won’t be my home until the Council is held responsible for what happened to my father.