Trial By Fire (Schooled in Magic Book 7) by Christopher Nuttall Page A

allowing you to waste what you’ve learned, however, so I have taken the liberty of arranging for private training sessions with a respected combat sorcerer.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Aloha said.
    Emily smiled. Someone she knew? Lady Barb? Sergeant Miles? She could learn from both of them...
    “You will study with him when you should have Martial Magic,” the Grandmaster continued. “It will not be a full apprenticeship, but you should be well-prepared for one by the time you graduate from Whitehall. I believe you may be able to complete such an apprenticeship within a year. If, of course, you choose to work towards becoming combat sorceresses.”
    He waved a hand at the door, commanding it to open...
    ...And Master Grey stepped into the room.

Chapter Seven
    E MILY FELT A LEADEN WEIGHT DROP INTO her chest as Master Grey bowed politely to the Grandmaster, then stared at Aloha and her. Master Grey didn’t like her. Master Grey had never liked her. He’d expressed his disapproval time and time again, first to Jade and then to Emily’s face. To have him teaching her...
    Aloha elbowed her, none too gently. “You’re meant to bow,” she reminded Emily, very quietly. “Now.”
    Emily did as she was told, even though she hated the idea of taking her eyes off him for longer than a second. Master Grey merely nodded, his cold blue eyes fixed on her face. He was a tall, powerfully-built man, his black robes carefully tailored to both show off his muscles and allow him to move freely. His head had been shaved, like a monk; a silver stud was placed in each ear, presumably charmed to offer protection. Emily forced herself to keep looking at him, even though she wanted to step backwards. Master Grey scared her in a way she couldn’t quite name.
    “Master Grey has considerable experience preparing younger students for their apprenticeships,” the Grandmaster said. If he was aware of the tension in the room, he didn’t show it. “I believe he will make a suitable tutor for both of you, probably for a single year.”
    “I have no objections to remaining longer,” Master Grey said, gravely.
    Emily swallowed. Who’d had the bright idea of inviting him ? Lady Barb would have known it was a bad idea, Sergeant Miles would have had his doubts; hell, surely the Grandmaster would have consulted Lady Barb before inviting Master Grey to the school. Or...had Master Grey volunteered for the task? And if so, why? It wouldn’t give him any more apprentices to his name, only deprive him of the chance to find another apprentice or whatever else he did when he wasn’t attending fairs or patrolling the Allied Lands.
    “We will see how things go,” the Grandmaster said. Emily wanted to protest, but she knew from bitter experience that it would be unwise to protest with Master Grey in the same room. “I believe their timetables have been arranged to allow you to have Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with them - and perhaps more, if you find it to be necessary.”
    He can’t kill you , Emily’s thoughts reassured her. He really can’t kill you .
    Of course not, her own thoughts answered. But he can make your life miserable .
    The Grandmaster cleared his throat. “I expect you to make the most of this opportunity,” he said. His words were addressed to both of them, but Emily had a feeling they were aimed specifically at her. “It was not easy to find someone willing to teach you both.”
    He rose. “I’d like my office back in an hour,” he added. “Until then, I suggest you spend the time to get acquainted. You must have much to discuss.”
    Emily wanted to ask him to stay, to beg him to stay, but she couldn’t speak. She watched numbly as the Grandmaster walked past her, out the door and into the corridor. The door closed with an audible thud , sending chills down her spine. They were alone with a powerful magician who hated her.
    “Your posture is bad,” Master Grey said, looking her up and down. “You need to straighten your