So much for training. I block his pitiful punches and hit him in his ribs and abdomen. When he swings again, I duck and high kick him in the chest, forcing him back a couple of feet.
“I know plenty! I know for a fact that your boyfriend is dead, all because he was protecting you!” I freeze. I search hismind. Distracted, he slams into me, taking me to the ground. He punches me in the face, in my sides.
I pull my magic into my hands and use the force of the wind to push him off me. He rolls on the ground and jumps back to his feet, wasting no time to come at me again. “Where is he?” I yell.
He laughs. “Dead! Soon, you will be, too.”
I scream and charge him. I’m going to kill him and send the Resistance his head.
Chapter 62
Could It Be Her
DIMITRI
Six Years Ago
The wind howls, and lightning cracks around the room. Thunder booms over our heads. I widen my shield, covering as many of those near me as I can. We all huddle against the wall, pushed back by the Princess’s magic.
Sodie is closest to me, with his hands over his ears. “Stop her!” he shouts. “She’s going to kill him!” He gives me a pleading look, and I nod.
Pulling my shield back in around me, I stand. Lightning hits my shield with a sizzling hiss. I move through the hurricane untouched. She flips over the ugly bastard.
Stunned, he whirls around to face her, not protecting himself or preparing to block her advances. Fucker is either stupid or too cocky for his own good. Either way, he’s done. She kicks him in the face, sending a spray of blood and teeth flying to the floor. With him still off balance, she leaps up and pummels him to the ground.
“Where is he!” she yells. But he can’t answer her. She grabs him by the throat and collects all the stray bolts of lightning.
She really is going to kill him. I rush forward, tackling her, and wrap my shield around both of us. The wind dies down, and the sound of thunder ceases. She struggles under me, throwing punches, kicking her legs. The weight of my body holds her down, and I pin her wrists to her sides. She’s strong for such a tiny thing.
Jolts of electricity continue to hit my shield, sizzling away. Eventually, she stops moving and lets out a piercing wail. Footsteps approach us. A quick glance assures me it’s the group I came with, and the Leads rush to the traitorous prick.
Sodie starts to heal him. I look down at the defeated Princess. Her eyes squeeze shut. Tears stream down her face. I gather her in my arms. I’m not sure exactly why, but I’m compelled to comfort her.
She grabs my hoodie into her hands, buries her face in my chest, and sobs. I cradle her closer and rub her back. I feel energy all around me. The recruits surround us, ready to attack. My lips curl, and a growl escapes. Some step back. Most stand their ground. They’re protecting her, even though she can take care of herself. But I respect their loyalty. I relax my posture and pull back my shield.
“Stand down!” one of the Leads commands. The group relaxes. “Get him to the holding cell! We’ll deal with him later.”
The Princess lifts her head to look at the fallen recruit. Two officers grab the traitor to haul him off. His face is a bloody mess. He turns and gives her a bloody smile.
I wouldn’t be so fucking proud, asshole. He has several missing teeth. No amount of healing will replace them. Reggie steps closer and shocks him, causing one of the officers to drop him. He crashes to the floor in an unconscious heap.
“A fucking warning next time would be nice,” Luke’s lookalike—what was his name again? Chuck? Chester? Something with a C—grumbles.
“Sorry. I thought you could use a little help. He was thinking about escaping to warn the Resistance. He’ll be fine. He’s just taking a little nap,” Reggie explains, smirking.
She squirms in my arms, and I release my hold. When she stands, a large ball of light lashes out from her core, knocking everyone off their feet. Knocking me back as well.
How the hell did that penetrate my shield when her storm magic barely touched me? I restabilize myself quickly and catch her as she falls.
She emits a frustrated scream. “Why does this keep happening to me?!” Her body starts to tremble, and sweat beads on her forehead.
Sodie and Skunk are on their feet, checking on everyone. Some of the recruits convulse, while others groan and check on the man next to them. One of the Leads instructs me to take her to her room while they sort everything out.
“Don’t leave her until we come get you.”
Cradling the Princess bridal-style in my arms, I navigate through the halls of the Emerald Guard training center. “Where do I go, Princess?” I make my way to the dorm rooms.
A vision forms in my mind, like a map of how to get to her room. I stop walking, slightly confused at how she managed to penetrate through my shield. Peering down at her small frame, she sniffles and buries her face in the crook of my neck. Her tears dampen my skin and spread down to the Emerald Guard shirt—Chris instructed me to wear it before following him out into the gym to join the recruits. His instructions were brief, informing us which group we were in and where to stand, leaving no chance to ask questions. I just did what I always do, jumped right in blindly and improvised.
