Sword Fight
We took a path through a gate in Karson’s backyard, one I’d missed when I’d tried to find a way to escape the first time he brought me to his home. It was built for a dog, I assumed, or a child, because it was small, etched into the brick and shielded by vines behind a sprawling tree.
We made our way through the forest behind his estate, along an old, worn path that was overgrown with shrubs and weeds. I drew in a deep breath, savoring the crisp air, and felt my body relax. I always felt a peace slide over me whenever I was in nature, as if I was born to dwell amongst the trees.
Karson walked ahead, his eyes scanning the forest, on guard. My eyes fell to two swords he had sheathed to his belt. A flare of anxiety marred the peace.
“I don’t know how to fight with swords.”
“I know, that’s why I brought them.”
The path inclined and we began to climb upwards. Before Sarah attacked, I would have been able to run this track with relative ease, but I had lost a lot of fitness and soon sweat roseon the nape of my neck, my breathing became jagged, and my legs burned. My ankle was fine, at least; Karson had given me a bottle of cream to help heal it. Not as good as a healer, but better than anything you could buy off the shelves. He too had witch contacts, it seemed. I peeked up through the tumble of the green pine trees. Ahead, the landscape rose sharply, blocking out the skyline. Fucking great.
“Is this part of the training, torturing me by climbing up a mountain?” I panted.
Karson glanced over his shoulder and his eyes danced at the sight of my hot, sweaty face. “Yes.”
“Fantastic.”
“I thought so.” He carried a loaded backpack, but he walked fast, his legs gliding up a sudden sharp incline as if he was floating over flat ground.
“That was sarcasm.”
“I know.”
Trying to draw enough air to stay alive took any further response from my mouth. Even though my legs screamed, I enjoyed the trek. The enjoyment ballooned when we reached a flat area.
“Thank God.” I bent over, puffing, my hands on my knees, relieved to be free of the climb. The sound of water falling filled the air and a damp breeze tickled my face.
“Keep walking,” he grunted.
I straightened and followed him between fat, towering boulders. We stepped out into a grassed clearing, the rocky mountain face rolling up into the sky, a thin waterfall tumbling over the edge, splashing into a circled pond, and running off in a river that disappeared into the tree line. Small pink flowers dotted the vibrant green riverbank. This place was stunning.
Karson took off his pack, reached in, and tossed me a water bottle. I caught it and gulped it down as I wandered to thewater’s edge, watching two ravens gliding across the mountain face.
The sound of the sword being drawn had me turning. Silver glinted against the dull of day. The sword was nowhere near as long or chunky as the ones in movies, and it was finer in design, but it looked lethal. I sat my drink bottle against a tree.
“I had these custom-made to accommodate your size.”
I scowled. “I’m not large but I am strong.” Or I was …
“I’m sure you are,” he responded dryly.
He placed the sword on the ground and handed me a blade. It was longer than average but surprisingly light.
“I assume you know where to place it to kill a vampire?”
I nodded.
“Show me.”
“What?”
“Where would you put it?”
“In your heart.”
“And then what?”
