She lowered her water and narrowed her eyes, her chin tilting the slightest in defiance—a look that was growing on me. Her gaze lingered on my joggers and shirt, no doubt validating that I had truly intended to come to the gym. She set her water on the floor and put her hands on her hips.
“Want a live punching bag?” I nodded at the sandbag she’d been taking her frustration out on.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” I waved my hands in front of me and walked closer. “I’m dressed for the part. Almost.”
I tugged my shirt over my head and tossed it to the side. I never liked training with a shirt on and part of me was pleased to see her blush as she averted her gaze. She muttered something under her breath and it sounded something like,Cocky, are we?
I couldn’t hide my amusement.
“Fine.” Selene waved for me to come closer. For the first time, I could see the shadows of dark circles underneath her brown eyes, and her hair was only half up, covering parts of the collar of her jacket, which had been zipped all the way up like a turtleneck. She seemed like she was hiding, constricting herself—being something she wasn’t.
“One second,” I said and turned toward the door.
“Tapping out already?” she called after me as I took a few steps.
“I understand what it’s like when you can’t use your magic, and I have a feeling you haven’t truly used it in the last two weeks. It’s a painful itch you can’t scratch,” I tossed over my shoulder as I locked the door with my air magic and turned back toward her. The back door was already locked. “So, use it.”
The corner of her mouth turned up in a small smile for a fraction of a second—one that I couldn’t quite get a read on.
“Why do I feel like this is a trick?” she cocked her head to the side, studying me. She was a level five earth mage and most likely hadn’t been able to use her full power since the rock creatures.
“It’s not.” I opened my arms, metaphorically showing I had nothing to hide. “I’m not sure what your story is, Selene, and it’s not mine to ask, but I understand pain.”And loss.That pain had resurfaced recently, though I didn’t have a reason for it to.
“While that sounds like fun—and obliterating—let’s have a match with no magic use.” She crossed her arms as if she was challenging me, and I grinned.
I nodded and she charged, not giving me any time to think. Her knee lifted in the air, preparing for a kick. I pivoted so the blow would land on my stomach, but her kick never came. A knifed hand came at my neck and I adjusted automatically, barely blocking her attack. Her first move had been a decoy and her true attack stayed hidden until the last second, something that takes practice.
“You are clearly well trained.” I shifted on my feet, preparing to defend myself.
“So are you.” She nodded at my stance. I had shifted my weight to the balls of my feet, just like Priscilla had taught me.
I shrugged. “I’ve had training since I was—”
Selene attacked again, this time partially succeeding at getting a knee to my stomach. I smiled.This will be fun.
A good thirty minutes passed with us sparring back and forth, no successful takedowns and only soft blows on both sides—if they weren’t deflected. Despite the anger she was clearly carrying and her firm strikes, she hadn’t landed anything bruise-worthy. The first day I saw her train, I had sworn I saw her pulling her punches and leaning into her blows. Now, I was positive that was exactly what she had been doing.
“Why are you really here?” She breathed, and I evaded her kick to my midsection.
“You’re refreshing.” I went to grab her ankle before her foot descended, but she dodged it. She was fast and efficient, and I had to admit I was tiring. But the hint of sweat across her brow told me she was too.
“Refreshing?” She quirked an eyebrow.
“Yes,” I said between spars. “You don’t fangirl over me, and you’re not afraid to put me in my place.” It wasn’t solely thatpull, or whatever it was, that led me to her. She was different. Beautiful. Exciting …
My back slammed against the ground as Selene straddled me, having taken me down in the fraction of a second that I had let my mind drift, her forearm braced against my neck.
“That’s why it seems you can’t leave me alone?” She grinned—playfully.
I looked up at her. The overhead mage lights illuminated behind her, causing a slight shadow across her face. Her grin faded as we stared at each other, our match briefly on hold. It was like I could hear her heartbeat with the same rhythm as my own, and each area of her body that touched mine was fire.
“There’s something else.” I studied her, her pupils widening. “You feel it too.”
I took her moment of hesitation and grabbed her hips, flipping her over and gaining the upper hand. We switched positions and I bound her hands over her head.
“It—” The joke that had been on my tongue slipped. A ring of blue and purple around her neck caught my attention. With this angle and her neck more exposed, I could make out the fresh bruising.
