“External shield,” Wayla snapped, like it should be obvious.“We weren’t training on those.Again.”
“You can pull up an external shield just like that, but can’t grasp a simple internal shield?”Grant sounded disbelieving, echoing Marc’s own feelings.
Wayla shook out her hands and rolled her neck before reluctantly answering.“Your type of shielding is different from what I learned growing up.”
“Different how?”Marc moved to stand next to her and looked into her eyes.That definitely was irritation flashing in them now.
“Different,” she said, mulishly refusing to explain.
“Wayla, I can’t help you if I don’t know what I’m dealing with,” Marc tried to keep his tone reasonable and coaxing.Wayla just shook her head.
“Just explain it to me again.”
Marc opened his mouth, but Grant stepped in.“All right.Let’s take it a step back.Basic form of shielding is generalized, right?”
Wayla nodded.“It provides some level of protection against any element of power.Broad, but very feeble protection.Specialized shields provide more protection, but only against the power they are attuned for.”
“Very good,” Grant nodded.Marc took a deep breath and tried to get himself under control as Grant continued.“The type of shielding we are looking for now is several steps up from that though.”
“How?”Wayla frowned.“It’s a layer pulled against me, right?”
Grant nodded.“Yes, but think about the normal shield as a fresh film.It’s thin, see-through, and tears easily.”
Wayla nodded, “Okay?”
“Instead of a single thin layer, think about the shield as a million small interlocking scales molding to you.It bends and spreads the impact to a broader area but doesn’t tear.”
“Oh!”Wayla’s eyes widened.“Like this?”She flicked her wrist, and a thin sheet of water hovered over her palm.As he watched, the see-through layer folded into itself and condensed, until it resembled a dragon’s hide and wasn’t see-through anymore.
“That’s the idea,” Grant nodded encouragingly.His eyes shouted some form of ‘what the fuck’ at Marc, who returned ‘hell if I know’, as they watched Wayla play with the water and try different formations.
Eventually, she seemed satisfied and formed it into a ball.A devious smile rose to her lips as she glanced around the room and then, with a flick of her wrist, sent the ball straight at Jarred’s head.
The man in question swore as the ball bounced from the back of his head.The ball, however, held form, and Wayla nodded, looking satisfied.
“I can see how that could be useful.”
“Damn it, Wayla!”Jarred shouted.Xuan took advantage of his distraction and put his ass on the ground.Right on top of the ball as it turned to plain water and splattered him.Wayla giggled before turning back to Grant.
“Okay, how do I make that into a shield?”
“Marc, you’re up,” Grant said easily.Marc sighed, tried to pull his head out of his ass, and explained it all again.
Chapter 16 – Jarred
Theywerealldrippingsweat by the time Marc called it quits.Jarred had become far too familiar with the floor because he just couldn’t fucking focus with Wayla around.She had fallen, one way or another, eighty-two times.Not that he had counted.
“Well, this was fun,” she quipped when they all filed out of the room.Marc glared at the woman, and Grant sighed.She hadn’t shielded successfully once.Where Marc seemed to be ready to tear out his hair, Jarred had very different urges.
“Wayla, a moment, please,” he said.
At some point, she had pulled off her shirt, and the tank top left her arms bare.She rolled her eyes but slowed her steps and then stopped when he laid his palm on her arm, sending a shiver over her skin.
“What do you want?”
Not exactly a warm start to their discussion.Jarred pulled up all his strength and kept his hold on her light.
“I wanted to apologize.”
