“You’re going too?” I ask, my throat tightening as I see him grab a bag from the floor.
He pulls me in and gives me a kiss on the forehead, “Yep, someone has to keep an eye on Zeke for a little bit longer.”
I smile at his sweetness in wanting to take care of Zeke; it warms my heart. “It’s okay. I’m glad you’re going to take care of him,” I reassure him.
“Text me when you get done with classes, okay?” he says, sweeping me into his arms for a hug. “I’m so jealous of Knots. He’s gonna have you all to himself for the entire weekend,” he pouts.
“Yep, and I’m gonna wear him out!” I tease.
“I’m sure you will. Now eat so you have your strength for Combat Class,” he directs, stepping back and swatting my ass.
I give the guys a wave good-bye and quickly eat the plate of food JP made while I listen to Moni and Chester’s commentary about the fucked up situation we’ve found ourselves in with Emer.
I really hope the guys figure something out while they’re gone, because I’m willing to turn one particular harpy into a cooked goose if she ever touches what’s mine again.
I really believe the Kents should be walking around with black hoods and a noose hanging from their waist because that’s what they are, the modern day hangmen of Purgatory, and I’m walking to my death. Not only do we have the Mr. Kents with us, but we have some of the Special Ops unit, acting as extra guards. They are taking the Rebels’ attacks seriously and don’t want to jeopardize our well-being. If I don’t have the guys here with me, at least knowing I have extra security helps.
“Okay, listen up! It’s easy to fight inside a building where you’re protected,” Atlas calls out, stepping in front of the river that he led us to. The sun filters through the leaves and reflects off his spiky silver hair, momentarily blinding me. “So let’s see what you can do out here in nature’s playground.”
It wasn’t enough to use the first two hours of class to recap what we learned from earlier this week and have my ass handed to me once again, but now we have to change our location to learn how to maneuver outside.
We line up once again and Ares doesn’t even bother asking for my bracelet, which I’m actually wearing today. JP had given it back to me when we got back with Zeke and the Council was coming in and out of the dorm looking for answers. They start calling out names, and I get paired with Ryker’s ex. Technically, every female here is his ex if you think about it, which wisely, I try not to.
“No Bracelet and Serafin, pair up,” Atlas yells and continues down the list of pairs. I wave my arm with the bracelet in annoyance at his back and make an ugly face as he walks off.
Serafin steps out of the group and starts to stalk over toward me with a predatory smile on her face. I take a few steps back so I can keep the river bed and the trees in my sight on the left and assess what the fuck is going on. The way she’s stalking me makes me think this is more than just a training assignment to her.
“It should have beenyouthat died yesterday,” Serafin growls.
“Excuse me?”
“Gertrude!” she sneers. “She died when it should have been you the Sulks took.” Her wide, pale yellow eyes narrow as she looks at the river beside me.
Turning my body enough to keep her in my sights, my heart skips a beat as the water starts bubbling.
“It’s not my fault she died. I didn’t even know the Sulks was there. How the hell are you blaming me for a fucking accident?” I yell over the noise of the river.
She raises her arms in the air and a fist raises out of the water.
Goodness gracious great hands of water!
“If you would have just left, my cousin wouldn’t have been there and she wouldn’t have died in your place,” she seethes. Her wicked smile makes an appearance, showing all of her tiny rows of teeth. “But I’ll avenge her death, today.”
Damn, I was only joking about walking to my death. I highly doubt the Kents had this in mind when they talked about seeing what we could do in nature. Making myself as small as I can, I crouch down into the mud, close my eyes tight, raise my arms over my head, and pray the force doesn’t knock me unconscious.
Bang!
The water crashes against something, causing the sound to ricochet around me. Cracking open my eyes, I find a glittery forcefield around me that the watery fist is desperately pounding against.
Holy shit!
Am I actually doing this? No one seems to be paying us any mind, so I must be. This is the first time I’ve actually been able to activate my magic. Any other time I would be ecstatic, but right now I’m terrified that I’m gonna fuck this up. I don’t even know how I’m doing this.
“Just fucking die!” Serafin screams as water pounds over and over into my shield, muddying the ground and causing me to slip and fall. At least the shield holds its position.
I would love to move or shift away from the river, but I don’t want to take the chance of it breaking. I don’t know how long this will last, but I doubt I can take much more.
Boom!
