That wasnt what I really wanted, deep down inside. I was just realizing that now?
Even slow on my feet, I was a bit faster than Elena. When we moved into take-downs and reversals, which consisted of getting thrown down and trying to get out of it, I was able to keep her pinned, but I was slowing down, growing weary.
She broke my hold and tipped her hips, rolling me onto my back. Staring down at me, she frowned. Are are you feeling okay? You look really pale.
I really needed to Google how long the lingering effects of a cold lasted, because this was seriously getting annoying. All I wanted was a bed. Before I could respond to Elenas question, Instructor Romvi appeared behind us. I bit back a groan.
If youre able to talk, perhaps you are not training hard enough. Romvis pale eyes were like glaciers. He loved to terrorize me in class; Im sure hed missed me. Elena, off the mats.
She stood and slinked off, leaving me with the Instructor. Around us, students were sparring. I rolled to my feet and shifted my weight restlessly, preparing myself mentally for whatever he was going to throw at me. I turned away, placing my hands on my hips.
His hand smacked down on my shoulder. One should never turn their back in war.
Shrugging his grip off, I faced him. I didnt realize we were at war.
Something gleamed in his eyes. We are always at war, especially in my class. He looked down his hawkish nose at me, which was a common practice since he was a pure-blood whod once been a Sentinel. Speaking of which, it is nice of you to finally join us, Alexandria. I was beginning to believe you thought training was no longer necessary.
Several responses rolled to the tip of my tongue, but I knew better than to let them out.
He looked disappointed. I heard that you fought during the daimon siege.
Knowing fewer words usually ended with less of my butt being kicked, I nodded while I pictured a pegasus landing on his head and biting him in the neck.
You also fought the furies and survived. Only warriors could claim such a feat.
My gaze slid past him to where Olivia and Luke now stood watching me from the edge of the mats. How many times had we been in this position? But this was different, because Caleb used to be among them.
Alexandria?
I focused on him, mentally cringing. I should never take my eyes off Romvi when he was talking. I did fight the furies.
Interest sparked in his eyes. Show me what you did.
Caught off-guard, I took a step back. What do you mean?
A small smile tugged up one side of his lips. Show me how you fought the furies.
I dampened my lips nervously. I had no idea how Id fought the furies and survivedonly that everything had turned amber, like someone had splashed the tawny color over my eyes. I dont know. Everything was happening so fast.
You dont know. He raised his hand and the sleeve of his tunic-style shirt slipped up his arm, revealing the downward-turned torch tattoo. I find that hard to believe.
I experienced a momentary lapse of sanity. Whats up with the tattoo?
His jaw clenched, and I expected him to attack. But he didnt. Jackson!
Loping
Oh, Im not too happy about that. I think mayo stains. His embrace loosened a little. Does it hurt?
Lying was pointless, but thats what I did. No. Not at all.
Yeah, he murmured against the top of my head. So who did you spar with?
I closed my eyes. Being this close to him, with the bond and everything, it was easy to stop thinking. Just like it had been while fighting. I always get paired with Jackson.
After class the following day, I piddled around the training center. I found myself walking into the smaller room Aiden had been in when Id found out about my father. Of course, he wasnt in there now. No one was. Dropping my bag just inside the door, I approached the punching bag hanging in the middle of the mats. It was an old, raggedy thing that had seen better days. Sections of the black leather had been knocked off. Someone had taken duct tape and patched it up. I ran my fingers over the edges of the tape.
Restlessness inched over my skin. The idea of going back to my dorm and spending time alone wasnt appealing. I hadnt seen Seth since hed dropped me off yesterday. I guessed he was still pissed about the sub issue.
I pushed the bag with my palms. Then I flipped my hands over. Two softly glowing glyphs stared back at me.
My gaze went back to the punching bag. Had my father trained at this Covenant? Stood in this very room? It would explain how hed known my mother so well. Again, melancholy crept over me.
The door to the room opened. I turned, expecting Guard Linard. But it wasnt him. My heart did a brief, stupid happy dance.
Aiden stepped inside the training room, the door sliding shut behind him. He wore the garb of a Sentinel: a black long-sleeved shirt and black cargos. I just stared at him like an idiot.
The way my body responded to himto a pure-bloodwas entirely unforgiveable. I knew this, but it didnt stop the way my breath caught or the warmth that stole over my skin. It wasnt just how he looked. Dont get me wrongAiden had the whole rare masculine beauty thing going for him. But it was more than that. He got me in a way very few people did. He didnt need a bond to do so, like Seth. Aiden figured me out through his unwavering patience and not putting up with any of my crap. During the summer wed spent hours together training and getting to know one another. I liked to think something beautiful had grown out of it. After what hed done to protect me in New York and then with Jackson, I could no longer really be angry with him about the day hed told me he couldnt love me.