Later in the afternoon, Damien and I work on self-defence until we finally stop for a late dinner. I’m so exhausted from the constant socializing and exercising that I pass out the moment my head hits the pillow.
It’s been so busy that I haven’t given much thought to escaping. I’m happier here than I expected. Besides, Rosie, Magnus and Damien have been teaching me so much. It would be stupid to leave while being so unprepared. Not to mention, we haven’t seen or heard from Morgana or Sin.
According to Rosie, they can be gone for years at a time, so why should I bother leaving? I’m in good company. No one ever talks about Leon or asks me about my past. So long as those two topics are avoided, we have a grand time together. And, if all of that wasn’t already amazing enough, my necklace has never once heated around them. They’re honest with me.
Today, Damien and I are in the sand pit again as he tries to teach me how to get out of a chokehold.Tryis the key word. I feel bad that he’s stuck with such a piss-poor student. I’ve tripped over his feet at least six times in the last hour, and I’m not even supposed to be moving my legs.
“Okay, red, again,” Damien demands.
He’s a tough instructor, but he’s got the patience of a saint. Also, at my insistence, Damien never flirts during training. We’ve made a game of it. If he slips up and flirts, I don’t need to run with him the following day. But if he keeps things fun and professional, I’m not allowed to whine during the morning runs.
Needless to say, I haven’t been sleeping in. I’m grateful, though. Our game has gone a long way in making me more comfortable, considering the suggestive positions we’ve been getting in.
Damien stands behind me, and his hands lightly circle my neck – just enough to know he’s there. I lift my arms and try to spin them in a windmill pattern like he’s shown me over a dozen times. But instead of hitting his arms and dislodging his hands, I accidentally slap him across the cheek.
Damien lets me go, laughing. I’m mortified.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” I exclaim, hoping I didn’t leave a mark.
Damien only laughs harder. “Alright, I think we need to back up a step. Clearly, being out of eyesight is too advanced. Though I do applaud you for landing a bitch slap.”
He pokes me in the ribs as he comes around to stand in front of me, and I squeal. Damien only smirks. “Keep your guard up, red. This one will be easier. I’m going to choke you from the front, and all you need to do is become dead weight and let yourself drop to the ground.”
I nod, relieved that this strategy requires less coordination.
Seriously, there’s a reason I don’t play sports.
Damien’s hands wrap around my neck, tighter than before. The sensation automatically sends a cold sweat down my back, and my eyes widen. But Damien only nods to the ground, indicating that I should follow his instructions.
Letting my knees give out, I gasp when, a moment later, I find myself breathing easily on the ground and out of Damien’s grasp.
“I did it!” I exclaim, jumping up.
Damien grins and pats me on the back. “See! There is a warrior in there, you –”
But his words are cut off by a ripple in the air. Sin apparates directly beside us. In typical Sin fashion, he looks livid.
Damien at least looks happy to see him. “Hey! We were wondering where you…”
“What the fuck is going on here?” Sin demands, interrupting. His hands are fisted at his sides, and I resist the urge to inch behind Damien.
No prey behavior allowed.
Damien keeps up his upbeat mood despite the mountain of a raincloud standing next to us. “I’m teaching red self-defence. We don’t want our mortal getting eaten.” He pauses to throw me a salacious grin. “At least not until she’s begging for it,” he adds with a wink.
I shake my head at him. I’m definitely getting out of running tomorrow for that one.
Sin stiffens and levels a glare at Damien. “Leave.”
Damien turns to me and gives me an apologetic look before shrugging. “See you at dinner.”
I watch him go, avoiding looking at Sin.
That only seems to piss him off more. I can see him from the corner of my eye. His arms are crossed, and his jaw is working.
When Damien is out of sight, I finally look at Sin and give him my best customer service ‘fuck you’ smile.
Seriously. The man disappears without a word for days after literally kidnapping me, and now, once again, he has the audacity to look angry with me. As if I’m the stick in the mud.
