“I need help,” I shrug as innocently as ever.
“Go away,” Nora groans from within the room before addressing Daniel. “Come back to bed.”
Ugh. I roll my eyes, pleased that Daniel wouldn’t be able to see it in the dark. “Help you do what?” he asks curiously.
“I need to work on my kicks,” I tell him. “You saw how off they were during training today.”
“You want to work on that now?” he asks in disbelief. “Do you realize it’s the middle of the night?”
“Yeah, hence why I’m at the window like a creeper rather than banging down the door,” I tell him. “Please. I can’t sleep until I’ve fixed it, especially with the technical fight tomorrow.”
“Ugh,” he groans, then grabs his shirt. “You owe me, Bianca Moore,” he says as he slides the window open further.
“Are you serious?” Nora screeches while trying to be quiet and focus a ferocious glare on Daniel. “I thought we were spending the night together. Just you and me. No tagalongs,” she says, turning her glare on me.
“By all means, babe. Come along,” Daniel says.
She lets out a huff and I swear she even stomps her foot, but then thinks better of it and grabs a jacket and her Kindle.
Daniel slips out of the window and then turns to help Nora. “Don’t you train with Rylan first thing in the morning? Can’t you just practice it with him?” Nora asks as we start our way to the training room.
“No, I can’t,” I say with a little too much venom.
Her eyebrows furrow in confusion before looking up at Daniel in question. “Her morning sessions were canceled. She’s not training with him at the moment,” he explains.
“What? Why not?”
“No reason,” I cut in before Daniel has a chance to go and open his big mouth again.
She narrows her eyes at me before finally letting it go. “How are we going to get in here?” she asks as we step up to the front doors of the training room.
“All the combat students were given a key so we could use it outside of school hours,” I explain.
“I’m not sure the middle of the night is what they had in mind,” she scoffs, though for once, I actually agree with her.
Daniel unlocks the door and makes sure the door is firmly closed before he switches on the lights, just in case any teachers happen to be coming by in the dead of night.
Nora makes herself comfortable on one of the training mats and buries her face into her Kindle. Daniel and I give each other a funny look, knowing that just this afternoon, Alex was nailed so hard he threw up on that exact mat. It was cleaned up, of course, but it’s kind of gross. We let it go, though.
Daniel and I train together, giving each other pointers and advice as we work out all our errors. A few hours have passed when we hear a light snore coming from across the room. “Shit,” Daniel says as he takes in Nora fast asleep on the training mat, her body pulled in on herself, trying to keep warm. “Are you good to wrap this up?” he asks.
“Yeah, thanks,” I tell him as we walk over to her. “I think we’ve gone over everything.”
“Cool,” he says as he bends down and scoops Nora up into his arms, making her sigh in her sleep and snuggle in closer to his warmth. “Do you think you’re ready for tomorrow?” he asks as we head for the door. “You’ll most likely be put up against Rylan.”
“Yeah,” I say, hitting the lights and holding the door open for Daniel to walk through then begin locking up. “I’m good. Not to talk myself up or anything, but if anyone can handle Rylan, it’s going to be me,” I grin.
“You’re so full of yourself,” he laughs, though I don’t bother answering because we both know it’s true.
We walk back to Nora’s room and I help him with the window before I head back to my own and snuggle deep into my bed, finally able to fall into a deep, well-needed sleep.
Chapter 18
Holy crap.
It’s technical fight day and just as expected, The Guard has turned it into this massive show.
I sit among the other combat students, right between my two favorite boys watching as Brax gets annihilated by Ben in front of the biggest crowd I have ever seen. He manages to hold his own for a while, but let’s just say he’s lucky this fight is judged on our technique, not on a win or lose basis.
I look into the crowd and spot mom sitting with Millie in the friends and family area and a sadness rushes through me. My dad should be sitting up there watching me. I put my hand to my neck and touch the necklace that lies beneath my bullet chain, the very necklace that used to belong to him that mom gave me for my eighteenth birthday.
I let out a heavy sigh. This is not the time or place to get sentimental. I need to keep focused. I need my head in the game.
I look across to where Rylan is seated and find his eyes already on mine. ‘You good?’ he mouths from across the arena. I give a small nod and get a smile in return.
Brax’s fight finally comes to an end and I get to my feet knowing I’m up next. Rylan does the same and we each walk toward the edge of the arena and wait patiently as the council members prepare themselves for the next fight.
I stand beside Rylan, neither one of us talking as the crowd begins to roar, noticing who’s up next. “That’s all for you, Bianca,” he murmurs beside me, the sound from the crowd making it nearly impossible to hear.
I roll my eyes knowing full well that the noise is not just for me. After all, he’s the famous Rylan Neill and together we’re like the Bonnie and Clyde of fighting. Everyone wants to see us in action and today is their lucky day.
The council members indicate to the announcer that they’re ready to continue and we’re ushered into the ring.
I look up to mom who gives me an encouraging smile then over to Millie who makes kissy faces between me and Rylan, making me grin like an idiot in front of all these people. I turn to face Rylan, who I realize has just witnessed the whole thing and gives me a knowing smirk before getting serious.
“I’m not holding back,” he warns me.
“I’d be annoyed if you did.”
The announcer steps up beside us and gives the crowd a big spiel, trying to rev them up, though it’s pretty damn clear that they’re already there.
I grin back at Rylan. “And for the record, I’m not holding back either.”
He watches me for a silent moment with pride before doing what Rylan does best and adding a little last-minute coaching. “Watch those kicks. You weren’t getting enough speed yesterday.”
“I know, boss man. I got this,” I grin watching as Rylan’s eyes begin to sparkle with excitement. God, he loves a good reason to show off, but then, so do I.
The announcer’s hand comes down, signaling the start of the match and Rylan and I begin our face-off. The crowd around us roar, but I zone them out, it’s just me and Rylan here. “Let’s give them a good show,” he says with a sexy grin just moments before he flicks himself around, brings his leg up in a beautiful spinning kick, one that if we were in the gym, I would have commended him on.
With practiced speed I duck down and shoot my leg out, fanning it around in a low arc and slamming it into his ankle, throwing him off balance as his other leg comes down to complete its rotation. He recovers just as quickly as it takes for me to stand upright again.
“Bringing out all the fancy moves, are you?” he laughs as he launches forward with his fist.
I block it with ease. “I could say the same for you, Mr. Neill.”
Despite our fast-paced movements, he still has time for a loud booming laugh. “Fuck, I love you,” he says, bringing his knee up, but narrowly missing me as I jump back.
“Love you, too,” I tell him. “How’s that ego of yours?”
“Better than ever,” he grunts as my shin connects with his ribs. “Why?” he grins, enjoying our banter.
“I need it to bounce back when I make you look like a fool in front of all these people,” I tell him. “No hard feelings, though.”
>
“Oh, please,” he scoffs kicking out and hitting me right in the chest, throwing me back into the ropes of the arena. He’s on me in seconds, but I let him come as the close quarters will benefit me as I'm just a bit faster as I don’t have all that heavy muscle weighing me down.
I can practically see him thinking of ways to get around this, but I just don’t care at this point, I’ve already demonstrated to the council members my flawless techniques on numerous occasions throughout this fight. From now on. This is just fun.
I lean back into the ropes and bring both legs up. Using the momentum from the ropes, I hold on tight and kick both my legs forward into his chest, sending him a few feet back. He looks at me with both surprise and awe, but I don't wait around to admire how soft it makes his face look.
I fly forward and twist around at the last possible second then launch myself high off the ground, flinging myself in a jumping spinning kick that has him throwing his body back, trying to avoid my leg which comes flying towards his face. I land with my back to him, right up against his solid chest, taking a risk that I hope is going to pay off.
Taking advantage of the situation, just like I hoped he would, he brings his arms up and tries to get them around my neck. I catch them mid-air and throw my ass back while bringing our hands down in front of me with every last ounce of strength I have.
The risk pays off as his heavy body is sent flying over the top of mine with his back landing on the ground with a hard thump. I quickly throw myself on top of him and grin as I hear the air whoosh from his lungs with an ‘oomph’.
The crowd around us goes crazy, but I keep my attention on him. I need to hold him here for at least five seconds for the announcer to call the match. He recovers from the blow in no time and with the quickest flick of his body he has our positions reversed. I should have known better, his strength against mine…what was I thinking? The man is a beast, but at least I was able to get him on his back for the council members to see. None of the guys have been able to get that far.
He holds me down on the ground and I squirm under him, but it’s no use, there’s nothing I can do. I’ve only ever got out of this hold from Rylan once before and I did that by distracting him with my body and I have a feeling I can’t exactly use that trick right now.
The announcer calls the match and declares Rylan the winner, though, I’m not surprised and neither is the audience. I don’t even feel bummed out. That fight was awesome. I came here to show the judges my technique and that’s exactly what I did. The fact that I got to rumble around on the ground with Rylan in the process was just an added bonus.
Rylan’s hold on my wrists loosens and his body softens on top of mine. “That was the best kind of foreplay,” he whispers in my ear as he helps me to my feet.
“Don’t talk like that,” I warn him with a gleam in my eye. “I might end up jumping you right here and now for the whole Guard to see.”
“That wouldn’t be so bad,” he grins. “But your mom would see and that could get a little awkward at Christmas time.”
Oh, God. I roll my eyes, but can’t help laughing as we exit the arena. I wish I could do anything to stay with him right now but that’s just not possible.
Only a few days left.
“Honey, that was amazing,” mom says as she comes barging into the little area my classmates are waiting in until the technical fights are finished. She flings her arms around me and holds on for dear life as I do the same in return. “I can’t believe how much you’ve improved since the midterms. I hardly recognized you out there.”
“Thanks, m-, oomph,” I say as a small body barges into us, nearly knocking us over in the process while wrapping its arms around us.
“Bianca,” Millie screams over the noise of the crowd. “That was badass.”
“Thanks, kid,” I laugh. “I didn’t win though.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. No one could have won against that machine of a man,” mom grins with stars in her eyes as she looks over her shoulder and ogles Rylan, almost as if she’s mentally undressing him.
I gawk at her in horror. This needs to stop, like right now. “Mom,” I scold. “He’s my instructor.”
“Not for long, sweetie,” she smirks. “Besides, I catch you checking him out every time I’m here. Why can’t I do the same?” she asks with a challenge in her eyes, almost as if she knows what I’m not telling her and she’s daring me to spill the beans.
“Oh, my God, mom. Seriously? I can’t take you anywhere,” I groan. “If you insist on checking out my instructors, at least make it Ben. He’s your age.”
“Oh, I know,” she grins. “I’ve already had my eye on him this afternoon.”
“Ugh,” Millie groans. “This is so gross.”
We both ignore her. “He’s single, you know,” I tell her.
Mom’s eyes sparkle with interest before turning into something completely different. “And Rylan isn’t?” she asks.
“I wouldn’t know,” I lie, watching mom very closely.
She narrows her eyes in slight suspicion. “Mmhmm,” she murmurs as a wicked grin crosses her face.
Shit. She totally knows.
“Baby, get that petrified look off your face. You’re eighteen and a woman,” she tells me as she pulls me back into another hug. “I can read it all over you. You’re in love with that boy aren’t you?” she says ever so gently into my ear.
“Yeah, mom. I am,” I tell her with a proud smile, relieved to finally have told her. “How long have you known?”
“I suspected after the vampire attack at the beginning of the year, but I wasn’t sure until he went after you into the Fairy Kingdom,” she says with a smile, holding onto my shoulders and giving them a squeeze. “I hate that it took you nearly dying, twice, for me to have worked it out, but nonetheless, I’m happy for you. Your whole body lights up when you’re around him and it’s a beautiful thing to see,” she says. “I just hope you’re being smart about it all.”
“We are,” I tell her.
“And safe?” she asks with a curious, raised eyebrow.
Holy. Shit. “Mom,” I groan.
“What?” she says. “I have a right to know if there are going to be little babies running around, knocking me down, and kicking me in the shin.”
“Oh, my God,” I groan again. “I’m mortified. I am not having this conversation with you,” I tell her, but the idea of having Rylan’s children…woah.
She grins at me, knowing she’s completely embarrassed me with her sexual questions. “Well?”
“Ugh. Yes, mom. There’s nothing for you to worry about,” I mutter under my breath.
“Good,” she smiles then puts a finger to my chin and raises my face to meet her eyes. “Your daddy would have loved him. In fact, he would have been completely smitten by him.”
A huge smile spreads across my face and I fall into my mother’s arms once again. “Thank you,” I whisper as a sneaky tear falls from my eye. “I love you, mom.”
“I know, baby girl. I love you too,” she says. “Now, I’m going to head back up and watch the last few fights. I’ll see you after, okay,” she adds before turning on her heel and disappearing with Millie back into the crowd.
I take a seat next to the boys, feeling a million times lighter. I search out those familiar gold speckled eyes across the arena and meet his stare. I give him the brightest smile, filled with every tiny emotion I have for him and send it flying his way. His eyes soften as he watches me and I have absolutely no doubt he understands exactly what I’m trying to tell him.
The boys all do amazing during their technical trial and I am so overly proud of them. Not to toot my own horn, but we have all come such a long way this year and in a few more days, we will all officially be on the Front Lines, the one thing I have always wanted. I’m so damn excited.
After the fights are done, I meet up with mom and Millie in the guest housing as Jacinta has been roped into spending time with Trey’s family. I haven’t got the sli
ghtest clue where Daniel is, but if I had to guess, I’d say he’s somewhere celebrating his win between the sheets with Nora.
I do what I can to keep myself relaxed for the rest of the day so I can save up as much energy as I can for tomorrow, as the one thing I know for sure, is that it’s going to be one of the biggest days of my life.
Chapter 19
I wake filled with nervous excitement and my eyes spring open only to find Jacinta already hovering over my bed. “Woah…what are you doing?” I gasp as she grins down at me.
“I’m so excited, I couldn’t sleep,” she says as she bounces on my bed.
“So, you thought you’d watch me instead?” I ask as I sit up and take in the room, only to find it absolutely spotless, half her clothes already packed in boxes and breakfast waiting for us on the desk. “How long have you been up for?”
“Uh,” she says, looking at the clock. “About three hours.”
“Are you nuts?” I laugh, getting out of bed and going to the bathroom.
“I told you, I was too excited to sleep,” she repeats. “Today is going to be awesome. The time trials are the best part of the whole combat program,” she calls through the door.
“I know,” I grin, remembering the crazy shit the students had to go through over the past few years. I mean it was ridiculous, there were obstacles, teachers jumping out pretending to be vampires, mud challenges, basically anything and everything you can think of to physically exhaust someone, and then more. It’s going to be insane.
If only I knew what my challenges were, but I won’t find out until the clock starts which is actually quite nerve-racking. I like to be prepared and this certainly challenges that.
I finish up in the bathroom and get dressed in my Front Line uniform as I have every day for the last two weeks. I’m just happy I was given a few sets so I don’t have to wash it so much.
Queen and War: Slayer Academy (Book 3) Page 13