“That’s it?” Killian shouted back. The question was cut off by a shriek from Manny.
“That hurt way more than a poke!” he cried.
“Well then, you’d better learn how to shield,” Elyse taunted.
Killian pivoted, trying to listen for any noises that might clue him into incoming spells. In the span of a few moments, his heartbeat had doubled its pace, and sweat was already seeping into the blindfold, but he tried to ignore all of that. He heard a bird cawing behind him and whirled toward it, right as something jabbed him in the shoulder.
“Dammit!” he seethed. His shoulder throbbed, like the spell had embedded itself in his muscles.
“Don’t be so dramatic,” Elyse drawled. “Calm your breathing and listen.”
“I am listening!” he hollered.
“Me, too!” Manny added, quickly followed by, “Fuck, that hurt!”
“There’s nothing to hear!”
Even though he couldn’t see her, Killian was certain Elyse was rolling her eyes. “Listen with your magic, not your ears.”
“Listen with my magic,” Killian grumbled under his breath. “Fucking load of shit.” He fumbled around and stumbled into Manny again. Manny blasted his shield into place, sending Killian onto his ass.
“Get it together, gentlemen,” Elyse commanded.
His backside still planted firmly on the dirt, Killian sighed. Devil’s horns, this was idiotic. But if Elyse believed it would help them, then Killian would give it his best shot.
He took a few deep breaths before slowly raising himself onto his feet. He remained crouched in a fighting stance, his hands at the ready to shield. This time, as he tried to clear his mind, he focused on the sensations around him. The dirt was firm beneath his boots, and an occasional breeze rippled through the ring. Heat seared down on him from the sun overhead, but it waned each time a cloud granted temporary shade. He could feel each bead of sweat on his uncovered arms, and the tightness in his knees as each of his battered joints rubbed together. And beneath all that, he could sense the tiny breath of magic that coursed through his body.
“Guide me,” he demanded of his magic.
Perhaps he imagined it, but it seemed to thrum in response, like it had been eagerly waiting for instruction.
Something prickled at the back of his neck, and Killian twisted to shield his back. He was too late, and the spell socked him in the arm.
Killian hissed, but he knew what to expect now. He waited and breathed deep into his chest. His magic hummed inside him, anticipating the next threat.
He couldn’t explain it, but instinct told him to shield his legs. He did so, flicking his wrists to produce a wall of hard air. The spell must have come from an odd angle, though, because it still zapped him in the thigh.
“That was close!” Elyse shouted to him.
“Me?” Manny asked.
“No,” she called back, voice thick with amusement. “No, Manny, you’re just shielding at random. You have to actuallytryto sense the spells. But Killian, you almost had it!”
His magic sang at her encouragement, coupled with his fierce pride and warrior’s determination. He edged onto the balls of his feet as he waited for the next attack.
Even with the blindfold on, it was like he could see it. The spell came from the northeast, zooming straight at his chest. He flung the shield in place. The quiet hiss as the spell dissolved was the most satisfying sound he’d ever heard.
“That’s it!” Elyse cried. “Now, do it ten more times, and I’ll buy you a whole box of cream puffs.”
In the end, Killian earned his cream puffs. He blocked twelve spells in total, though he let more through than he was proud to admit. Still, he’d done better than Manny’s four.
By the time they took off the blindfolds, Killian was horrifically sweaty. He lifted his shirt to wipe his face, and didn’t miss the way Elyse’s gaze lingered on his abdomen. He gave her a wicked smile and a wink. “I’ll be taking those pastries now.”
Elyse sauntered toward him from across the training ring. “Let’s get you home first so you can clean up.” She turned to Manny and clapped him on the shoulder. “You too, kid. Good work today.”
Manny’s hair was a tangled mess of sweat. “I’m a year older than you,” he said, but extended his hand to her anyway.
In the blink of an eye, they were back in the alleyway behind Mrs. Southwick’s house. Killian walked through the back door, followed by Elyse and Manny. He’d barely made it past the table when a small human came barreling toward him.
