“Nix, it was not,” he told her, approaching her.He frowned, reaching out to touch her shoulder.Comforting.“I would not let it come near you.”
“It can hurt you though,” she said, meaning it as a question.
“Tev,” he said, jerking his head.“Its blade is real enough.But it cannot leave these quarters and this,” he said, lifting his forearm, where the metal band was attached, “controls it.It is intelligent technology, but only technology.”
“Okay,” she murmured, blowing out a breath, shaking herself.Her eyes connected with his and she found them even more comforting than his touch.“I don’t think I’d be able to do that.”
“Which is why I told you to run if you had the opportunity,” he told her simply.His expression darkened.“If there is no opportunity, then you know where to strike.”
“Right,” she murmured.
“You will practice on me,” he told her, releasing her shoulder.“It will give your body a rest this span.”
He retrieved a short, small blade from the opposite wall and handed it to her.
It was heavy in her hand and she held it away from her body.“I don’t want to use this.I could hurt you!”
He raised his brow.“I told you before, if you manage to hurt me, then I deserve it.”Cara didn’t know if she should be offended or not by that comment.“Regardless, my heart is not so easy to pierce as an Azatian’s.”
“And what if I hurt myself?” she asked quietly.The blade might slip.
Devix was quiet and she watched him appear to struggle with his answer, which confused her.
Finally, he gritted out, “Then you will learn not to do it again, as all warriors must.”
Warrior.She was no warrior, but she could still accept his words.In a way, she appreciated them.They were tough, hard to digest, but shewouldlearn from a mistake.
“Okay,” she said, approaching the center of the mat, where he stood.
He circled her again, coming from behind.His hands were strong and sure as he gripped her waist, adjusting her stance slightly, nudging her hips.
Cara’s lips parted, but she looked straight ahead, ignoring the warmth that emanated from his fingertips.She noticed he was careful not to cut her with his claws, something she appreciated.
Next, he adjusted her arm that held the blade, lowering it a few inches, but his grip lingered as he said, “Always remember this stance.It was the first one taught to me.”
“I will,” she said quietly.Her voice sounded tight and she had to remind herself to breathe.
He made a sound in the back of his throat and then moved away.Her body swayed, trying to follow his touch, but she righted herself with a shake.
“Stand straight,” he said.Cara blinked and then released the stance, straightening.He nodded and then ordered, “Show me you remember.”
Cara adopted the pose, remembering the way his hands had positioned her body into place, her legs widening, knees bending, lowering her arm but keeping it out from her body.
“Tev,” he said, coming to stand a few feet in front of her, adopting a similar stance, but without a weapon.He pushed a claw against the green suede shirt, right where an Azatian’s heart would beat.“Here.”
Cara swallowed, nerves swarming her body.She was tiny compared to him.She’d seen how quickly he could maneuver his body, the force he used when he struck.Cara knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but would she be able to handle him at all?
Defeat frightened her more than anything.
“Stop thinking,” he commanded quietly.
Cara gazed at him, just a few arm lengths away.Was she so easy to read?
Her gaze flickered to his chest.
Stop thinking, she repeated silently.
She drew in a deep breath and then let her mind go blank.
