Sure. Security assessment. That was definitely why she’d shown up at the outdoor training area in another one of her snug bodysuits that did absolutely nothing to hide her lean, muscular frame.
I was doomed.
“Ready?” I asked, pulling out myzavat.
She watched intently as I demonstrated the weapon’s mechanics—how the second bow folded out perpendicular, how the energy strings hummed to life, the weight distribution for proper aim.
“Your turn.” I handed it to her.
Her fingers closed around the grip, and I walked her through the setup. She was a quick study, getting the bow deployed on her second try.
“Good,” I said, moving behind her. “Now your stance. Feet shoulder-width apart.”
I nudged her feet into position with mine, hyperaware of our proximity. She smelled like the soap from the guest quarters today. Less blaster exhaust and more flowers.
“Shoulders square to the target,” I continued, placing my hands on her shoulders to adjust them. Her muscles were tense under my palms, coiled and ready. “Relax a little. You need fluid movement.”
“I am relaxed.”
“You’re wound tighter than an energy coil.” I moved my hands down her arms, adjusting her grip on the weapon. “Breathe.”
She exhaled shakily, and I felt it through my whole body where we were touching.
Focus, Baleck.
“Draw back slowly,” I said, guiding her movements. “Feel how the energy strings respond. Aim for that target.”
I pointed to the practice target set up across the training ground. She sighted along the arrow, her enhanced eye probably giving her perfect accuracy measurements. “Let it fly when ready.”
The arrow shot forward with a hum, striking just left of center.
“Not bad for a first try,” I said.
“I can do better.” She reset and loaded another short, metal arrow. This time when she drew back, I didn’t need to adjust her stance. She’d already internalized the positioning.
The second shot hit dead center.
“Well done,” I murmured. “It took me many cycles to aim so accurately.”
She smiled a real smile, not the almost-smile she used to give me. I was getting more of these lately. It transformed her face, made her look younger and less guarded.
“What?” she asked, catching me staring.
“Nothing. Just your smile is devastating.”
Her smile faded to something more complicated. “Baleck…”
“I know. I’m pushing. I can’t help it.” I took thezavatfrom her and set it aside. “You make me want to push.”
“Why?”
“Because I see what’s under all that armor you wear, and I want more of it. More of you.” I stepped closer, drawn to her like gravity. “You fascinate me, Iris.”
She stood her ground as I approached, her dark eyes tracking my movement. “This is a bad idea.”
“Probably.”
“We work together.”
