“That’s not specifying a time—”
“Then I’ll specify it. If the sun is already over the horizon, you’re late. And I won’t tolerate tardiness. I have too many other tasks to attend to.”
“So why not have someone else train me?” I grumbled.Anyoneelse. I might’ve even let Belanna shove me off a cliff.
Quinn pursed his lips but didn’t answer.
Great. This was goingsplendidlyso far.
“So, uh,” I started, desperate to break the tense silence. “Do your swords have names?”
“What?”
“Like, inTheLord of the Rings,they named their swords. Sting, Narsil—”
“Whywould we name an inanimate object?”
“I dunno. To give it power, or something? I thought that was a thing.” Those fantasy movies had lied! What a shock…not.
“It’s not.”
“Oookay. Well, where do we begin?” Isowasn’t in the mood to put up with this shit brick.
And I definitely, 100%, did not want to deal with himswinging a sword at my freaking head!
There was no warning. None. Quinn stood there, looking P.O.’d at my every breath. And then helunged, whipping his blade around.
I screeched and ducked out of the way. “Yo!” I yelled. “What the fuck?”
“You weren’t paying attention!” he said.
“We were talking! Or, at least, I wastryingto have a pleasant conversation before you—gah!” I didn’t move quick enough this time. His sword barreled into my left shoulder. And thank fuck the blade was somewhat dull.As it was, the blow hurt like a motherf’er. A deep, numbing pain shot down my arm, making my fingers tingle.
He would’ve taken my arm off with a sharp blade.
“Still not paying attention.” Quinn raised his sword again.
“Just-just—give me a second!” Goddamn, my shoulder really,reallyhurt! “Some warning would be nice too!”
“The Wraiths will not warn you before they attack. Why should I?”
Whoosh!
His sword smacked against my right thigh. My knee buckled, and I cried out, the numbing pain now rocketing up my sciatic nerve.
Quinn wasted no time. “If you lose focus on the battlefield...”
Thwack!
Air rushed out of my lungs as the next blow bounced off my rib cage.
“You die,” Quinn finished.
Thump!
The last hit went to my gut, leaving me doubled over, choking and wheezing.
How on earth was I supposed to avoid him? He moved faster than QuickSilver; darting around me and landing blows before I got my feet moving. “You’re a lunatic!” I gasped, pressing a hand to my ribs. Everything hurt! And, yeah, I was a total pansy with pain. But still...
