I wave an arm at a section of untarnished swords. “So, any of these, then?”
Kalden releases a grunt. “Longer blades will enable you to defend yourself while keeping some distance between you and your attacker, but they’re heavy and will slow your movement.”
Gem moves to shove her hands into her pockets beforeremembering that our bodysuits have none. “What weapon do you recommend, then?”
“For you . . .” He leans to the right, scooping up a thinner, more tapered blade. “A poniard should suffice. It’s slender, so it won’t weigh you down. And the nine-inch blade is more than enough to impair your opponent, should it come to that.”
Kalden shifts the poniard’s hilt into Gem’s open palm, and she tests its weight, twirling the weapon before slowly thrusting it towards my stomach.
“Got ya!”
Though the narrow tip is gentle as it presses into my leathers, my spine curls inward as I groan dramatically, “How could you?”
Kalden’s brow pulls more taut, but he voices no critique while arming himself with two throwing knives.
“Really? You’re not gonna give us a warning about how ‘if that’s really your form, you’ll both be goners’?” I lower my voice to mock his deep timbre.
He ignores me, and Gem snorts before securing the accompanying leather scabbard around her waist.
I lift onto my tiptoes, reaching up to grab an identical blade from the wall.
Kalden steps in front of me. “You’re too slow to use this effectively. The blade cuffs would be better suited.”
“The what?”
He twists, grabbing two of the smaller weapons from the wall.
“These straps wrap around your wrist and forearm,” he explains while tugging my left hand through the cuff, and I’m grateful for the layer of leather gloves separating my skin from his sweltering touch. He tightens the bands so the steel-plated mechanism rests firmly against the top of my arm. “And see this wired ring? If you put that around your finger and flick your wrist, it’ll release the folded blades.”
He demonstrates the motion, and I mimic it, jumping whenthe two nightstone blades spring outward on each side of my wrist. Irepeat the motion, and the blades tuck themselves back into place.
“Piercing something vital might be trickier with these, but you could easily sever an artery just by doing what comes naturally, like flailing.” Kalden heaves a breath that sounds suspiciously like a snicker before securing the second blade cuff to my right arm. “Erratic movements might even dissuade your opponent from trying to disarm you.”
I can admit that his logic is sound. A weapon that requires little to no strategy on my part is likely the best fit for me. Plus, the tight formation of the blades near my palm could make for a good excuse, should I need to explain why a Sol would flinch from my touch if I succeed in releasing a solar flare.
But does he have to be such an ass about what I can and can’t do?
Once both blade cuffs are in place, I rotate my arms in front of me, acclimating to the sight and feel of the weapons.
Gem arches a brow. “Are you sure that will be enough? Those blades look tiny.”
“Like yours is much bigger,” I say, tilting my chin.
“Bigger than yours,” she retorts.
Kalden interjects. “They won’t cause as much damage to an attacker as a poniard or a sword, but they won’t rely on a tight grip or stamina, which is why they’re the best option for Orelle. The only drawback is that she won’t be able to wield a second weapon, since most wrist movements will trigger the release. But considering that she lacks the proficiency required to wield a longer blade, it’s not much of a concession.”
I flick my right hand, taunting him by lifting the unfolded blade inches from his face. “You should watch what you say to an armed lady.”
Kalden’s pupils dilate as they narrow in first on the nightstone,then on me, and the corner of his mouth twitches up ever so slightly.
“Sun’s pits, Orelle!” Gem tugs downward on my arm, warily eying the blade cuffs while whispering, “You can’t threaten him like that.”
“Relax. I was joking,” I say, retracting the blades.
“I’m not sure he finds you waving a sharp weapon in his face funny.”
Kalden’s hint of a smirk deepens. “It’s a little funny.”
