We get to our feet and he signs for me to go again—I swear he learnt that one sign just for our training session—and when he’s finally confident I have it reasonably well down, he beckons Kit over to demonstrate the next technique for getting away from someone who’s grabbed you.
Kit gets up from the log they’re sitting on and sashays over, getting into position.
I pay close attention as Cal slowly shows me the moves with Kit in the attacker position. Then they swap, and the slightly shorter cheetah shifter executes it flawlessly.
Watching Kit in their purple cargo trousers and soft cream jumper take down the deadly looking vampire is an amusing way to spend an afternoon. I do understand the point, though. If Kit, who has significantly less strength than their pretend attacker, can take down someone as hard to dislodge as Cal, then there’s no reason I can’t.
I was hoping when Ethan finally agreed to combat training in biped form, that it would involve learning offensive skills rather than defensive moves, especially because I still plan to shift if any fae ever try to grab me the way they did with Raj. Admittedly, if I couldn’t shift into my winged form for some reason, knowing how to get out of a hold could be crucial in escaping a kidnapping attempt.
Prison was different because yes, there was obviously fighting amongst the inmates, but we were all weak and in pain. No one who attempted to grab me had much strength, and Harley and I had each other’s backs.
Despite my exhaustion from flight training with Milo and Zara this morning—which went marginally better than last weekend—we continue like that for hours, with Cal and Kit demonstrating first, then me practicing the technique until I get it.The field we’re in is muddy from days of heavy rain, which means I’m filthy by the time the sun starts to set and not in the fun way. Cal’s as dirty as I am, yet Kit manages to escape unscathed.
That dirt-repellent spell on your clothes is impressive.
Kit
Obvs. Ayo’s spells always are.
Cal
Wait, you got Ayo to put a spell on you to keep your clothes clean?
Kit
Of course. This jumper is cashmere.
Cal
Why didn’t you just wear something more practical? You knew why we were coming here.
Kit
Why be practical when you can use magic? Besides, Skye was supposed to do this with you, not me. I dressed to sit by a roaring log fire with my laptop and a hot cup of tea.
And the cargo trousers?
Kit
Just in case. You never know with this lot.
We look up from our phones when there’s some sort of commotion in the woods adjacent to the corner of the field we’re standing in. A streak of movement is what caught my eye in the first place, and there it is again—black fur darting between the trees, using them as a slalom. I’ve never seen Jet in his jaguar form before, but I pick up his scent as he gets closer. He’s being chased by my tiger, who’s baring his fangs and running as fast as his fourpaws can carry him, bypassing Jet’s slalom course and diverting around the outside.
I move to go and help without stopping to think, not sure what’s happened that’s made Raj so angry, but Cal puts a hand on my shoulder and gives a slight shake of his head. My phone buzzes in my hand.
Kit
Raj has got this. Watch.
I frown, warring with my instinct to go to my tiger’s aid. I did promise I’d try to be less overprotective though, and this feels like the sort of pack bond I shouldn’t get between.
Sure enough, the trees slow Jet down and Raj manages to catch up, pouncing during a break in the tree line and landing on top of the jaguar, sending them tumbling over, all fur and sharp teeth. Cal lets go of my shoulder so I hop the fence and jog over, my heart in my throat. I won’t step in, but although I know how capable Raj is I still need to make sure he’s not hurt.
After a brief tussle, Raj gets his massive jaws around Jet’s neck and briefly lifts his eyes to mine. His furry face is smug, especially when Jet immediately goes limp. As soon as Raj releases the jaguar they’re off again, racing back towards the manor.
My shoulders drop and I shake out the tension in them. Not getting involved was harder than I want to admit, and their playful tussling has left me with a tight sensation in my gut.
Kit follows them at a leisurely pace while Cal joins me under the trees.
