by Jaz Johnson
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“Where are we going, anyway?” Saphora spoke up from the passenger seat.
Once she’d come to terms with accepting the training, if not for returning home, then for merely being able to defend herself, she left with Hydra and Maverick, who was serving as the current mode of transportation. He didn’t go back to work until Monday, so he had offered to help out. Saphora was still a little skeptical that he was willingly putting himself in harm’s way, but at the same time, she couldn’t help, no matter how she tried, but to be a little flattered by it.
“Back to my place,” answered Maverick. Saphora shook her head, mentally picturing Maverick’s apartment in shambles by the time they were through with the training session.
“I don’t think that’s very smart. We should go to an open field or something.”
“I’m sorry if you misunderstood. We’re not doing any physical training. Not yet,” Hydra explained. Saphora’s brows pinched together.
“So what, mental training? I’m going to fight Tebias by wishing he’d go away?” she asked with some annoyance.
“You need to remember before you can fully grasp the understanding of your power.”
“Remember?”
“Your life. Before this one. You need to remember that before we can start any physical training.” Maverick nodded, catching Saphora’s attention. Her brow arched, as if mocking that fact that he could possibly be understanding any of what Hydra was saying.
“And why are you nodding?” she asked him. “You understand what she’s saying? How do you even believe any of this?”
“Well, you already told me that you were going to therapy for amnesia. So it makes sense that she wants to try to get you to remember.”
“And you’re okay with this going on in your house?” Maverick shrugged.
“What’s the worst that could happen during a therapy session? That’s basically what this is, right?” Hydra nodded.
“By your world’s definitions, yes.” Saphora scoffed.
“In case you haven’t noticed, therapy hasn’t worked.”
“It’ll be different this time,” Hydra insisted.
“And why is that?”
“Our methods of retention are different. More intense. Plus, with them, your mind was instinctively holding back. Untrusting.”
“And what makes you think I trust you?”
“Because I saved your lives. And,” she said, pausing. “Because I am a part of the life you’ve forgotten.”
Chapter 10