by Erin R Flynn
The most shocking was when Juan knocked on my door, looking like he’d been beat to shit emotionally. He hugged me, rubbing his cheek against the top of my head.
“I’m sorry, Tamsin. I’m so fucking sorry,” he rasped. “I should have paid more attention to what was right in front of me. I thought you guys were hooking up on the DL or he was just more into you than you were him. I’ve been—there were signs though. I should have paid attention and not brushed them off because he was my friend.”
“I did the same,” I forgave, not getting exactly why he was so upset. He stayed a bit longer and looked better after I promised I really wasn’t mad at him. It must have been clear I had pieces missing still because Natalie filled me in.
“Mason and Juan were best friends,” she said gently, nodding when I gave her a surprised look. “You see Juan and Hudson together and Mason and Lucca and all four hang together a lot since they’re all sophomores. It’s not that Juan and Hudson aren’t friends—”
“They’re just both princes and coming from the dragon dorm,” I surmised. “Same with Lucca and Mason being bears and sons of Alphas.”
“Right.”
After lunch was over and everyone headed out, I grabbed my phone and knew who I wanted to talk about this with.
Tamsin: Juan came by. I didn’t know he was so tight with Mason. Keep an eye on him, okay? He seemed to take it hard.
Hudson: He is. We got him so don’t worry.
Hudson: Do you want updates on that topic?
Tamsin: Sure?
Hudson: Juan’s family helped Mason get into a facility in Asia. They deal mostly with those who have lost mates or were rejected by mates, but it’s a safe place and there are actual docs there. They’re going to try that at least since it’s not like we have mental hospitals.
Tamsin: Fair enough. Glad they have a plan. I think that’s my limit on updates though. I want to put it behind me.
Hudson: I completely understand. You take care of you, my princess. I’m here if you need me. Don’t worry about Juan, we’re checking in and there is a line of women willing to comfort him in the hopes to get closer to a dragon prince. He won’t be alone.
Tamsin: You sound almost jealous of that line.
Hudson: Have we met?
Tamsin: I don’t get that.
Hudson: I have the same line, Tamsin. It’s because of my money and title, not who I am inside. I don’t want the line, I want someone who wants the real me.
Hudson: Someone who cares enough to name my dragon River. He misses you.
Tamsin: I miss him too. We’ll hang soon. I just can’t seem to get my footing, but you were a huge help after it happened.
Hudson: I’m glad I could help but I’m sorry it happened.
Yeah, me too. Me. Fucking. Too.
9
I blinked and it was Monday. I’d had a quick check-up on Sunday, and I was on light duty for a few more days according to Dr. Salzman, but after that he was confident I would be all better. Comforting, but probably untrue.
Some scars never healed, normally the emotional ones.
The stares in the cafeteria were pretty bad, but there had been a big blow-up break-up the day before and that was on a lot of minds now too. Plus, people were talking about Tanesha making progress with the fae dog she stumbled upon so yeah, some more heat off me.
They weren’t as bad in my first class, but Professor White did check in with me before she jumped into her greeting. We were focused on shifters this semester and I was very, very glad the first section wasn’t bears.
Nope, wolves. Cool, I could learn more about my guards.
In a rare turn of events, something went okay instead of issues and Glen didn’t have a problem with Zack and Ray. After they promised they weren’t trying for top dog and I was their priority, the man was glad for the backup after he’d read the reports of increased interest in me.
Glad we could all be smart with my safety, right?
Next was Physical Training III and Mel’s first class as an official instructor… So, of course I couldn’t let that go. I smiled when Irma was waiting for me in the gym after I changed and was throwing up my hair.
Mel saw me coming and rolled her eyes at me. “Really? An apple for the teacher?”
“Please, I’m way more fun than that,” I teased, handing her a basket of marbles. “Here, in the hopes all the bratty shits don’t make you lose your marbles, this should give you the energy and happy you’ll need. Also, pie. You love pie.”
Irma pulled off the cloth from the cart she’d brought with flourish and it was loaded with pies and treats.
I blinked at her. “Okay, that was overkill even from what I asked for.”
Irma shrugged. “We love Melody as well and wanted to support her in doing what’s right. Also, her clan in supporting one of their own as she makes this bold and brave step in bettering our society.”
I was pretty sure everyone there noticed her eyes were locked with Mel’s dad’s as she spoke. He dipped his head to her but didn’t say anything.
“Thank you and I adore you both, but we have other guests so enough goofy,” Mel warned as other people started filing into the gym. They headed for the bleachers and I realized it was parents of students after I caught the Vogels.
“Balls the size of Texas, my friend,” I praised, holding out my fist to her.
She winked at me and bumped hers against mine before Irma brought everything off to the side for later.
Mel was ready once the class was gathered and the guests were mostly settled. “I’m Melody Rothchild and some of you I worked with in the extra training the school paid me to lead last semester. I’m now the training instructor and Coach Khan will be coach of the sports teams, giving him time to focus on that where he’s most talented and get our ranks up, hopefully.
“I get this is the second semester but we’re going to start from basics so we’re doing it right. The first matter to handle is each of you accepting this change. If you want to go back to sparring and a blow-off class, walk right back out the doors you came through and best of luck to you. If you stay you agree you want to be here and are willing to work.
“And I will work you. I will work you the right way and get results. Some of you already had them with the little time I spent with you. Now we’re upping the stakes. I know you have guards and people to shield you. I’m not training you to be guards. I’m training you to be prepared. We live hundreds and hundreds of years. There will be a time in your life you are vulnerable.
“It’s inevitable. You thought it would be a quick errand. You forgot something. There was a distraction. A million different ways for that instant of lacking security that you’re vulnerable and something happens. But you’ll be ready. You will have the skills if you train with me to give you those seconds your security needs to get to you, to keep you alive so help will come.
“The world is more dangerous than you know, and the harsh reality of being an adult is learning this. Most of you have snarked about Tamsin’s façade or fighting like it’s a shtick, but the truth is she learned how dangerous the world is much earlier than the rest of you who were protected.
“If you doubt what I’m saying, think I’m being an overbearing dragon always looking for a fight—I offer you reality.” She held up a USB drive. “This is one interview with someone from the Underground who tried to spy on the nonprofit Tamsin and I set up. I’m paranoid every day of the year and well informed on the threats in our world and it scared me to watch.”
“That is confidential information that—” someone objected.
“Shut it,” Mel ordered over her shoulder. “You’re in my class as a guest. This footage was taken on Tamsin’s property. All your confidential information has left people vulnerable and naïve to what is really out there.” She looked back at the rest of us. “If you want to see what pushed me to accept this position, I have USB drives for all of you. You’re adults and you deserve the truth now.”
I was shocked how well that went over with the students. They seemed truly intrigued and hungry for a look at what had been kept from them.
Good for them. Really, I gave them a lot of shit, but anyone who wanted the truth and to not be coddled I would pat on the back.
“Every parent and student who registered for my courses signed an extra pledge that the normal elite and spoiled bullshit would not be allowed here,” Mel continued. “It’s also why I’ve allowed parents to visit today, and they will be invited throughout the semester as long as they are not disruptive. My clan has never taken such a public position before.
“As such, as a clan, we agreed to certain standards and several of my cousins are willing to help without asking for any compensation. Keeping people safe is more important to us. If we’re going to do this, doing it right is more important to us. But we’re also going to address the boobs hurdle instead of dancing around it.
“Yes, I’m female. Yes, our society is sexist. I had many, many parents tell me this was silly for their daughters to be put through this or to expect much from them. Any male who wishes to tell me to my face that I’m weaker than him may do so after class and expect to be peeing into a bag for at least the next week.” She turned to look out at the parents in challenge, smirking when several squirmed.
“May I?” Mr. Rothchild asked, dipping his head to Mel when she agreed. “Everyone has someone bigger than them. There is always someone bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, better, or any combination of attributes that has you at a disadvantage. Training levels the playing field and gives the best chances, otherwise your daughters are cannon fodder and you have no one to blame but yourselves.
“You think they’re weak and keep them weak thinking that way. Men train. Women are weak so why bother? It’s ridiculous. My mate trains just as hard as I do and we spar together. I tend to win. So what? She should just give up?” His lips twitched when Mrs. Rothchild snorted. “In general, men are stronger than women, but in general, men work out to increase strength.”
“There are other attributes women have that level the field as well,” Mel cut in, taking the lecture back over. “We tend to be more flexible. Also, the bigger they are, the harder they fall has merit. And I’ve got the proof to back it up.” She turned and looked at me.
I sighed. “I’m on restricted duty still. If I get in trouble with Dr. Salzman I’m sending him right to you. Disappointing that man is like kicking Santa in the nuts.”
“Which you’ve done,” Mel drawled.
“That wasn’t Santa,” I snarked. “That was a pedophile dressed as Santa. And he deserved much worse. He was creepy before I even knew he liked kids.”
Several people snickered at that.
“I got this cleared,” Mel promised, gesturing over to the mat… And the giant that was standing there. “This is my cousin Colton.”
“Damn, whatcha been eatin’, mate?” I asked as I moved closer to the mountain of a man. I’d honestly never seen a man so big before.
He smiled brightly at me. “Some of those muffins you made over break that Mel shared with us. I thank you. They were great.”
I yanked off my sweatshirt and smiled up at him. “You’re welcome. You can reach all the tall branches next time I have to harvest my trees and get as many as you want then, yeah?”
He burst out laughing, the sound echoing off the gym loudly. It took a few moments but then we got into position. He seemed hesitant but I knew exactly what Mel was after. I was most lethal when caught, and while I tried to avoid it just for the sake of injuries, she wanted it for the demonstration.
“Begin,” she called out.
I went right for him, launching into a flip so both my feet went into his chest. It startled him but his reflexes were quick, which I’d expected. He grabbed my hip and pulled me closer. I used that momentum and help with the height to get one knee behind his head—keeping his left arm between my legs—and the other behind his back.
I threw an elbow in his face to distract him before twisting his arm into a bad position. “Break, dislocate, and pain for days.” I didn’t do it, but saying it was enough to make the point. I pushed off with my foot against his head, keeping him off balance and trying to recover as I flipped over so both my feet were now on his right knee. “Dislocate, tear, take to the ground.”
All I did was knock his leg out from him, making him land on the knee hard as I flipped over his “dislocated” shoulder. I pretended to pull the knife I normally carried in the small of my back and sliced it across his neck now that he was my height.
“No more Colton,” I declared, pretending to flip around my imaginary knife before putting it back in its nonexistent sheath.
“Impressive, truly, you’ve trained her well, Daughter,” Mr. Rothchild said for all to hear… And shocking the shit out of Mel from the look on her face. “You built a training program around her biggest asset.”
“Yes, I noted she was one of the most flexible people I’d ever met before she even started training,” Mel confirmed, nodding for me to show him.
I kicked out my leg but didn’t make it as high as normal, rubbing my stomach with my other hand. “Sorry, still a bit—muscles hurt like a bitch after all that puking of the death potions. Normally I can get it behind my head while standing.”
“You are a slippery little sucker,” Colton praised. “You knew your shots weren’t enough to take me down, but keeping me off-kilter or fighting for balance with blows to the head like that gave you the time to do what was needed.”
I lowered my leg and nodded. “Mel always said someone would be faster and others would be stronger. I needed to be the most lethal when I was caught so I’d be able to see another day. I listened.”
“She did,” Mel said at a louder tone for the class and parents, glancing around. “And it took work. Some of you already know her workout routine but for the others, tell them, Tams.”
“I run six miles, five days a week, plus the one we do in here three days a week,” I told them. “I also have a strict core regiment that I do while studying that I shared with Izzy and Darby. Juan, Hudson, Lucca, and Ma…” I swallowed loudly, feeling like a punch to the gut as I realized what I’d almost said. Mel’s sympathetic gaze was what helped me continue. “Invited themselves and started working with me as well.”
From there I listed all the other exercises I did. Not the specifics like reps but push-ups, sit-ups, and so on.
“Mel built the gym at my house around boosting my workouts and having real equipment to do more safely,” I added. “She’s also all about the yoga and meditation. So, it’s a lot, but that’s because I enjoy it. She’s worked with others who don’t enjoy running like I do. I think she also wants to do more than have the weight and cardio rooms here.”
“Yes, a training addition would be great but there’s no budget for that,” she told me. She pointed her finger at me. “Don’t. Don’t you dare just say you’ll donate whatever to make my life easier. You already donated the greenhouse, supplies, and funds for those extra seminars.”
I held up my hands in surrender. “I wasn’t going to unless people took it seriously and got on board. I’m not wasteful. I’m not donating money for shit to just sit there. Maybe if I get a real challenge at the playoffs or whatever.” I winced when Hudson cleared his throat.
He frowned when I glanced at him, realizing I wasn’t teasing him. “You were holding back, weren’t you?”
I snorted. “Like you weren’t? I know you’re stronger and were pulling your hits. That’s what sparring is even in events.” I shrugged. “I didn’t say you were easy, but I’ve had real challenges. Mel used to make me take on MMA fighters and those guys do not fuck around or care I’m female. I had to take ice baths every time I took one of them down.”
“Ahh, the good old days when you had no money and took side gigs beating up grown men to buy food,” Mel teased. She focused back on class before we got too far off topic. “Now that I’ve made my point, we’re not d
oing the typical mile run to clock you. We’re going to work on your running form. Yes, yes, you all know how to run, but we can all do it better.
“A few tweaks can make a world of difference. So, we’re breaking up into groups. Some of you on treadmills and will listen to the guidance given. We’ll get the times that way. Same with the rest of the tests. You can all do better, and we will. From there you’re not just going to attack my helpers, but actually learn proper ways to hit or show you know them. Then we move on.”
And that was what we did. Well, I didn’t. I was still on light duty, but everyone else did. I threw back on my sweatshirt and did some stretching, Mel giving me a group to work with on core exercises like I had last semester. I pushed down my feelings about how Mason had been there and how wrong I’d been about him and helped where I could. That was the goal after all, right?
Right?
“I heard she was leading him on,” one of the parents said as I stood off to the side to supervise several trying to hold the plank position the right way. It was obviously not the first thing said in the conversation and I snapped.
“And even if I was?” I challenged, calling over there and busting him. I noted the shock of those around his group who clearly could have heard them as well. “Was what he did to me okay then? If we went out on a date? If we were dating? Having an affair?” I stormed towards the bleachers. “What would I have had to do that you could honestly justify what was done to me?
“If we were intimate you think drugging me and trying to force me to get pregnant and mate is acceptable? I don’t fucking care if I walked around campus naked, no man has a right to take what I don’t offer. Men flirt all the time and it’s expected, but a woman and she gets what she deserves, huh? So, you’ll get the punch to the face you deserve for egging me into it and that’s fine?”
A strong arm grabbed me around the waist, and I started fighting when I realized it wasn’t Hudson.