Cameron doesn’t let go of me until we’re on the sparring mats. I squint my eyes but can still barely make out his figure.
“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing here?”
He sets his hand on top of my head and turns me so my back is facing him. I blow out a breath as he separates my hair and starts braiding it. “It’s clear you have skills when it comes to killing, otherwise you wouldn’t be down here, but it’s also really obvious that you’re much more comfortable with a gun than hand-to-hand combat. I’m guessing you’ve always had plenty of silenced weapons to aid you in whatever it is you did, along with a long-methodical plan, but you’ll be dead weight in the trials and on a squad if you can’t improve your skills in close quarters and quick decision-making.” He finishes my braids and flicks them over each shoulder.
It’s embarrassing to be scolded so brazenly, but he has a point. I didn’t know it was that apparent either. My cheeks are warm, but I nod. “So you’re going to train me yourself?” I say with a teasing tone.
He chuckles, and it’s nice hearing it after he was so quiet yesterday following Wraith’s assault and his slip-up in the library.
“I’m going to help you not be a complete thorn in my arse.” He pauses, then adds: “It’ll also be less likely for me to be able to corner you again.” His voice is considerably more modest and draws a wry smile to my lips.
“Ah, the truth.”
“Oh, shut up.” He laughs. His accent makes it impossible not to smile. He nudges my shoulder, so I back up. “Get into position. I’m going to teach you how to easily escape holds and anticipate attacks based on hearing alone. You’re all over the place when it comes to your senses and rely heavily on sight. It’s painful to watch, really.”
“Okay, less insults and more productivity. I actually rely on sleep, unlike you.” I glower, hopefully in the right direction. When he doesn’t respond, panic floods me.
A tap and slide of a boot against the floor comes from my right side. I raise my arm, having no idea what or where he’s aiming. I hear the sound of his arm cutting through the air just before his hand taps the back of my neck.
“Dead,” he says with too much amusement for my liking.
“This is stupid. No one fights like this,” I argue and smack his hand away.
He hums and I can hear in his voice that he’s grinning. “That’s the point. And believe it or not, there are many that do. You won’t stand a second in a dark room or on a moonless night with other lethally trained soldiers. What if you get oil in your eyes or”—he gestures to his eye—“slashed in the eye and can’t see? How will you fight? Will you just give up and die?”
That earns him a scowl.
“You’re in the pit of devils now, remember? We don’t have ‘killing etiquettes’ or whatever the fuck it is you used to do.”
“You mean I fought with morals like a person with a shred of class?” I say sarcastically. There has to be some sort of ethics, doesn’t there? I like to think that I had morals. If I didn’t have to torture someone, at least I would give them a quick death.
Cameron laughs, his breath warm on my shoulder. My head darts to the side. I didn’t hear him move at all.Focus on listening,I chide myself.
“Yeah, we don’t have those. You think anyone gives a shit how you kill the enemy or how they kill you in the Dark Forces?” He coasts his finger down my spine, and chills erupt across my skin. “Come on, Em, you know better than that. How else would we get shit done?”
A strike to the back of my knee buckles it and sends me to my hands and knees. I grit my teeth and swing my arm behind me, disappointed when I realize I was aiming at nothing.
He pats the top of my head. “Dead.”
I groan.
“Again. Get up,” Cameron orders.
I do. Again. And again. And again.
Until my knees are sore and the backs of my hands are bruised from blocking some of his hits.
I collapse to the ground, breathing hard and glaring. The lights finally flicker on, and I get my hopes up that we’re finished. It slightly ticks me off seeing him so unbothered, hands in his pockets and without sweat clinging to his brow. I’m barely able to catch my breath.
“We aren’t done yet,” he says emptily as he stares down at me with hooded eyes.
“What now?” I dread pushing myself back to my feet. He smirks, the glint in his eye making my center warm. Now I wish it was dark again so I wouldn’t be distracted by his cruel charm.
Cameron moves in close, methodically hooking his leg behind mine and wrapping his arm around my rib cage. “Escapethis maneuver. We’ll keep going until breakfast or until you can best me at this.” He sighs. “Your resentful eyes won’t get you any pity, Em.” He chuckles.
This close, he’s staring directly into my eyes, setting everything inside me on fire. His shirt is raised, skin touching mine just above the waist. I inhale sharply and push away any lewd thoughts, especially the ones of him rubbing me on his cock.
“Focus.” His voice falters and his brows knit with restraint.
