After searching from the left over ending where I started with the knife throwing from yesterday, I found Maze working in the archery range. I started to head that way, but a hand reached out and pulled my arm by the wrist forcing my chocolate away. I instantly felt the current run up and shuddered. Knowing where it came from, I turned and was looking up a foot higher where his face would be before my feet made the turn.
It was Calum, and he was smiling with the wicked grin that doughed me into certain mush yesterday for which gave thought to Dyer. He was a boy who tutored with me for some years and left to return home when he was fifteen. They’d decided that he was too old to tutor with a young lady and was sent off to tutor with another. I missed that same wicked smile Dyer would give me when he had cajoled me to chunk the book one day and go running through the woods and every day after that for a week. Dyer had taught me so much about being with the opposite sex, which was so opposite of anything I thought so that meant not much...but men and women think way different anyway. In fact, it seemed as if a girl is thinking one thing, he is thinking the opposite. Dyer left abruptly that last day in the garden. I never knew why. Only that I was left standing alone staring at the trees. Perhaps my parents sheltered me more than I realize and sent him away.
Not wanting to seem too eager, I pulled my arm back without rubbing it and asked, “So what shall I beat you at today?”
“Beat me? I recall you were down by my hand in swordplay yesterday. I am truly a better swordsman. You, my lady, are too quick to misjudge your enemy when they are too close or overpowering.”
I didn’t like talk of being beat. I could take him. My face didn’t give an inch, but my voice spoke volumes. “Yeah, challenge me to another then.” I knew I wouldn’t be able to give my SuperVAL moves a full workout with him, but I could come close. More than any other female supernatural being. I’m sure. I’ve been told by many that I surpass even the other Valkyrie women in my court and many outside of it. I just haven’t tested it.
And I couldn’t seem to get the full brute of Calum Breen no matter how much I knew I had. He was just that much stronger. With big men brute force, I have to result to using stealth and unsuspecting “weak-link appearance” wisdom.
He watched my face and laughed aloud, delicious and rich with humor. I was more intrigued than offended.
“What?” I asked.
“You truly want to fight again?”
“Yes, are you afraid?” He wouldn’t be. He thought I was a Hunter girl. I held back yesterday and I know he did too.
“Fine, but I get another chance against you at the archery range.”
“Why?” I arched my head. He seemed to have an ulterior motive, but what it was, I didn’t know.
“Because I can’t beat you at the knives. You have me there,” he said vaguely. He was admitting weakness to the enemy. Mistake number Uno, Sporto! I like this. I really like this. “Deal!” My eyes glazed over in the distant too engrossed at the idea of sparring him again.
Calum stood there a little longer staring at my face no doubt wondering seriously about me. I was staring right back, my voice now dormant. I broke the stillness by taking my ponytail from my wrist and pulled my hair up behind my head. Sometimes I felt like my hair was a little too long, but I loved the way it felt on my neck when it would sweep down after blow drying it or finishing a run around the lake. I’d have to get a run in sometime.
“So, are you my personal guide every day for weapons class?” I eyed him from the side while watching Maze shoot her arrow and arranging my shoe strings that had come undone.
"For now. Until you, I was the best archer and aim in the school. I doubt you’ll need me much.” He appeared to be bothered by the idea.
“What about chemistry? I don’t think I’ll ever understand it like you do. You might have to stay with me a bit on that. If you want to, of course. Not that I care.” I reached for a chest guard now and watched his face. I knew I shouldn’t be encouraging this, but this is a great lead. And he is Dr. Green’s son. That should count for surveillance work alone. My brother depended on it. If ogling Dr. Green’s son and gaining his confidence led me to free him, I’d stick with it. It’s just not a battle plan I’ve tried.
“As you wish.” He gave a bit of a shocked look with his response, but he had a sudden burst of fear shoot through him. I didn’t understand it. It wasn't battle fear. I couldn’t name this fear.
I smiled decisively needing to seem more Hunter like and keep the appearance like I wanted to be here. I came off a bit too cheeky yesterday and would soften a tidbit.
“And I have to be the best. I can’t let my father down. Where to?” I looked back at Maze. She’d managed to at least hit the target this time.
"Who is your father?"
I ignored his question and my own idiocy by continuing to watch Maze. Luckily, he moved on for me.
“How about archery first? Get you a false sense of smugness before I take you down again.” His eyes danced when he stretched the last word looking at the chest guard in my hand. Hmm! Hunter boys are very different in their non verbal thinking habits. His face said much.
“Smug. I’m not smug. I just try my best.”
“True. That much I can see now. But if my dad had mentioned, at least, that you were good at everything, I wouldn’t have tempted fate yesterday. His list left a lot to the imagination.”
That was quite a compliment.
“Your dad is the school master. Master Green. I met him yesterday. Seems nice.”
“Nice is not what I would call him, but yes, he is my father.” He seemed upset by the topic. I wanted to drop it for now, but something bit at the edge of my mind.
“What else made the list…on me? Hit me with your best shot!” I had to ask.
He fidgeted with his sleeve, not looking at me, and then raked his eyes over me. There really were a pretty blue. “Um, well, you looked different than most Hunters, that much is definitely true.”
I thought that was a compliment so I smiled. “And?”
“You are ill-tempered," he enjoyed saying though he cringed.
“He said that?”
“Yes,” still cringing.
“How’s that playing out for you?”
He wanted to not answer but he bore into me with darker more glittery eyes than before, “More like catlike I see now.”
“Catlike?” I was curious now, folding my arms.
“You know. You’re claws come out sometimes.” Calum looked at my flexing fingers under the folds of my arm.
“Hmm!” I really couldn’t deny that, but “ill-tempered” was just harsh.
“Anything else?”
“No formal schooling, only tutors.”
True. “That all?”
“Mostly. He said to keep an eye on you.”
Hmm! So he was my watcher. Funny. “And how’s that part working out?”
“Exhausting!”
My eyes rose.
“And....” he bent down to my ear, “I’ll let you know more when I know her better.”
I would find out more later, and I would find out more about the one I was sent here to find. My father had to send me. I was the only one of age and knowledge and trusted to finish this quest discreetly who wasn't easily identifiable.
“Archery it is.” Calum and I walked over to Maze.
“I can show you something,” I told her.
“Anything would be nice,” she smiled but straightened her stance when she saw Calum with a surmountable amount of fear rising. Was she nervous around him?
I walked up behind and stood beside her. In the same motion she stood and held her arms as she arched her back and lifted the bow.
“Arch your back more.” I touched the small of her back. I was aware of Calum watching. Maybe he was taking notes. “Pull your arrow back. Pull your extended hand up to your cheek.”
She did all this. Still standing behind her, I placed my hand on her bent elbow and lowered it. “Steady, close your
left eye, aim the tip just barely above the spot you are aiming for, and…release.” The arrow shot through the air, a whizzing sound I love shot across the room, and landed square in the center of the target.
Maze was lurching her Amazon red jump-suited butt into the air. “That was amazing. You are the best teacher I’ve ever had.”
Pride shot through my heart, but I didn’t show it because he'd just commented on my smugness.
Maze went over to tell Liz shouting all about it at the knives range.
“Well, seems you’ll be teaching me something. This is something new for me.” He folded his arms back out to put his gloves on with amusement.
“Now who is smug? And you know everything, right?”
“No, I don’t know your favorite color.” He watched my eyes lift up to his.
I didn’t answer. My reading last night left me with one clue I’m starting to figure out, I think. Valkyrie military boys didn’t do this kind of stuff, except maybe I never really knew any. But the boy in front of me was doing a major job of trying to keep my attention. Even sparring with the young guys back home, they weren’t allowed to speak to me unless it was technique. Even then, I was giving more of the pointers. I was a natural at all weapons. Always have been.
Well, I can try it out since I won't be staying. If I were a Hunter girl, I’d want his attention just fine. He thinks I’m a Hunter girl. That’s why he’s doing it, right?
I motioned for him to step up. He raised his eyebrows to question me, I assumed. “You said you needed a lesson. I’ll have mine in a minute. Where I come from there is no shame in learning a skill and gaining knowledge from another.”
He was hesitant, but he stepped up.
He took his favorite midnight black bow I presumed was the same from yesterday. It was heavy, long and sleek, and not easily bent. Just like him. Sturdy! His arrow was chosen and he stood back in the spot where he did before.
“Why do you stand so far back?”
He looked back at the crowd. I could tell he didn’t like me questioning his technique in front of others, much less at all.
“Tall,” was all he used for an excuse.
I took his hand and pulled him up to the spot just behind the barrier. The current shot through us both and we locked eyes for a second as if we were both saying to stop doing it. He glared. I glared back.
“Arch and aim,” I rattled off quickly. I studied him for a second. More than a second. He was good-looking. I’d never thought much about it as to whether I’d ever have the choice in who’d I marry if they were good-looking or not. I probably wouldn’t be allowed to choose anyway. He’s too concerned with gaining the shipping yard’s business by marrying me to the son of the owner.
“Ahem,” he was, of course, smiling.
“Sorry!” I looked away, but not for long.
Studying again, I stepped up behind him and placed my hand on his elbow. Luckily, he was wearing a longer sleeved shirt so the sparks igniting with his touch didn’t flare up just then.
“Lower your elbow.” I moved it down slightly. His arms twitched like he might actually be uncomfortable with this.
“Sight your arrow. I’m left-handed—“
“I know.” I heard him whisper. The same odd fear I felt from him before was coming strong. My hand moved to the center of his back.
“So sight your arrow with your left eye closed, and—
I stepped back now not touching him.
He released and straight into Maze’s arrow it went. Dead center!
He didn’t turn, but looked at me from the side of his bow. Everyone in the group watched and clapped. He started to put up the bow and I put my hand out to stop him, but jerked it away when I realized it would mean touching bare skin to bare skin. My skin heats up so much when it happens.
“Not so fast. You won’t let me quit after one go at it. Another!” I motioned to the target. Bold move, but I wasn’t here to be a shy mouse. I could afford it.
He wasn’t too good at taking orders, so why was he doing this for me? He looked around at several faces, and looked back at me, “As you wish.”
“You can teach me next. I like the up close and personal contact sports too.” Derrick strutted a bit at his smart remark.
Calum took two fluid steps backward and punched his arm, hard! His face went close to Derrick’s and I could have sworn nothing was said, but he must of because his head shot to the side of Calum’s peeking out, “Sorry, Stace. You’re just so hot. I don’t know what got into me. Just asking for a share.”
Calum growled.
He looked at Derrick and nodded. Derrick nodded back. Derrick yelled out, “Okay already, get back to practice. Quit your rubbernecking.” And just like that, everyone moved back to their places. Derrick and the other boy who I’d not met yet formally were flanking the sides of the bow area like bouncers.
I grabbed an arrow and handed it to him seeing him think heavily about something. Absolutely no one was looking at the exchange.
“You’re mine next, Princess!” A growl of desire like a character from one of my books came from Calum.
Alarm hit me as I ignored the feeling it sent, “Why did you call me that?” My face must of spoke loads.
“Um…sorry. Only being…funny I guess.” Calum’s face distorted so.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I told myself to think fast. “Sorry, my dad calls me that. Just not used to men calling me that.”
“Men? What do other men call you then?” he choked not smiling.
“Um, Stace. The only men, boys, etc. I’ve ever known are my tutors, Dyer, my dad, and now you.” I saw Calum’s shorter friend pop his head to me eavesdropping.
“Who is Dyer?”
“A boy who was tutored with me. He is back in Russia now. Why?” This seemed like really off behavior to me.
“Oh. Sorry. No reason,” a fear coming from Calum again as he tossed a look back to the unknown friend. I’m really confused with his fears. They aren’t like the fears of other men. This fear seems to pop up when he was talking about me. Hmm!
These Hunters were strange to say the least.
I motioned for him to turn. “Back to work. Time will run out and my turn will be lost.”
“Not lost. I will have my glory moment.”
I laughed totally losing any thought of danger. This was fun. He was great. I’d never laughed this much.
“Ah, she laughs. What else hath I not seen?”
“Tis’ not for you to know my dear Romeo.” This was thrilling.
“Ah, tis’ well versed in Shakespeare also, my dear Juliet.”
Both of us were laughing now!
“Yes, found me out. My weakness. Now, I shall find out yours.”
“Tis’ already shown, for sure, is it not. For my lady, you are.” His face didn’t change, but he held his breathe I noticed very close to my face.
I gasped. He just said I am his weakness. What did I do? I didn’t mean to do that. Is this bad?
He was turned sideways so he only heard the gasp and didn’t see my face. Composed again, I reached for his elbow when he positioned. “Hit me with your best shot,” I muttered more to myself. He flinched at my press to the top of his shirt. It was warm where his skin touched it. When he arched the arrow back I saw that his arrow was not leaned against his cheek. In my haste I reached my hand up to the arrow to tip it into his cheek. Simultaneously, he released the arrow at precisely the same time I touched my fingertips to his cheek.
And…
The arrow slammed into the wall below the Roman numeral clock hanging dead center to the entire room’s back wall. I got so caught up in the wittiness of this Hunter boy I’ve endangered the rest. Half of the gym that it soared towards was now in a duck and cover. And I was frozen stiff standing next to Calum who, in error, whipped around and knocked me in the head with his huge hand, was now catching me as I was falling into blackness.
When I came to, Calum was above my face breathing laborously int
o it with the same musky scent I’d just had a whiff of standing close to him. Like the guys from sparring all those years. I always imagined men stink because they work tirelessly, but they never did. At least, most of them.
He looked scared, and I felt it, but a relieved look came through when I blinked my eyes back open for the second time. This fear, I recognized. My father emits it every single minute he is around me. The fear of losing me.
So much for being a real Valkyrie. Fear of killing another is like rule #1 in the book of on the road to success. And so much for pulling off this Hunter façade. They’ll see right through me now.
Calum lifted my head though I wasn’t sure how I made it to the ground in the first place. The way his hand hit me couldn’t have put me out. It had to be the current zapping through my body from his touch. But here I am. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I did that.”
He was holding my head with his hand touching only my hair being careful not to touch my skin.
“No deal. I was the weak one. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He bent down to my ear even though people were starting to surround us. “Told you my weakness was you. I’m not sure what to make of you, Stace, the brave.”
My eyes widened.
“What? That is what your name means, right?”
“Yes, but how did you know?”
“Your dad called you Princess and skilled you in every weapon. My dad made me learn every language and every weapon.”
I couldn’t help but be in awe just a little, but also realized how much we had in common.
“So was I.” I said more to myself.
I raised myself up, confident that I was better now. “Fine now.”
Derrick was standing there now. “What did you do, stun her with your friggin’ looks?”
“Stunned! Great description for it,” Calum assessed.
“Stunned!"
The irony of the word “stun” affected both of us. Instead of blushing, we both just looked at each other. Also ironically, we both said, “stunned” at the same time now.
Derrick looked back at forth at both our faces and waved a hand in between. “If ya’ll aren’t careful, I’m gonna cram ya’ll in my dorm room and hang a sock on the door.”
Orion Page 6