“Sorry. Thank you for coming, Aidan.”
“I’ll always be here when you need me.” His words echoed Vince’s, but somehow, his carried more weight.
~~~
The dream returned the next night, and then the next, and the one after that, and the one after that. It was different each time. Sometimes she clawed at a wooden barrier, sometimes stone or brick. Occasionally she crawled through the tunnels alone and lost, but her terror was always the same. Most nights she would wake to find Aidan in her room pleading with her to wake up. When she finally did, neither of them could sleep. What little rest she did get wasn’t enough, and they were both dead on their feet.
I’ll stay awake tonight so you can sleep and then maybe tomorrow we can switch, she suggested.
I’m too tired to argue with you, Aidan sighed.
~~~
CHAPTER
THIRTY-EIGHT
Allie thought about taking a nap where she lay sprawled on the gym floor. Jin had raised the height of the balance beam to give her a new challenge. She was supposed to be up there sparring with Chloe but was spending most of her time on the mat instead.
“Again!” Jin demanded.
She climbed back up to find Chloe skipping lithely across the six-foot high beam, wielding her quarterstaff like she was born with it clutched in her fist.
Allie had good balance, but her exhaustion was really beginning to affect her performance. It was only a matter of time before her teachers started asking questions.
“My mind isn’t on this today. Can’t we just cut out early?” Her chest tightened at the mere memory of the dream.
“Absolutely not! We don’t slack off for high school dances,” Jin said. “You get to leave early for the dance tomorrow, but not today. Today, I demand your focus.”
That’s so not it.
The Springtime Ball was tomorrow, but she would gladly skip it if she could just get some sleep!
“Allie, I’d love nothing more than to see my children and students grow up without a care in the world,” he said gently. “Unfortunately we don’t get that life. Again! And focus this time!”
She gingerly climbed onto the beam for another beating.
Where’s the guy who gave me Twinkies and Coke?
Just be glad he’s not your mentor, Aidan said.
Yeah, you have no idea how terrifying Emma can be.
Allie was a good martial artist, but she’d developed a bad habit of regressing whenever she began something new. She’d eventually adjust to the challenge, but then they would throw something else at her and she would go back to sucking again. It never felt like her efforts were good enough.
You do realize we all feel that way, right? Aidan rolled his eyes.
It’s not the same. I’m still so far behind.
No you aren’t.
Then why is Chloe still kicking my ass?
Because you let that mortal brain of yours get in the way.
“Ow!” She yelped as she tumbled to the mat again.
“You aren’t even trying!” Jin shouted.
Lex, you can do this! Stop watching the ground and trust your instincts.
She climbed onto the beam again. Aidan was right, she was making this way too hard.
This time she met Chloe’s advances without dividing her attention between her opponent and the ground six feet below. Finally, they picked up speed.
“Much better!” Jin clapped as she managed to leap over Chloe’s low sweeping thrust without falling. She ducked to avoid her uppercut and Allie caught her with a slash of her practice sai. They didn’t trust her with the real blades yet. She finished with a low roundhouse kick, effectively dumping Chloe to the mat where she did a graceful little tuck and roll, unlike Allie’s awkwardly spectacular face-plants.
Lex, you’re ridiculous.
“Nice job, ladies,” Jin said. “That’s enough for today. Allie, Gregg wants to see you before you leave.”
She headed off in the direction of Gregg’s office with a sense of dread hanging over her like a cloud.
“Hey, Red, come on in!”
“What’s up?”
“We’re going to start a new regimen in the morning. You’ve been working hard and it shows, but I’m afraid it’s time we kick it into high gear. From now on, we’ll extend your sessions by one hour during the week and put in four hours together on Saturdays. You’ll bout regularly with Sasha or Quinn, but Chloe needs to focus on herself until her Awakening this summer. I’m also suggesting that you and Aidan spend a regular session together as well. I’ve been required to inform you that he will not be your teacher in any way,” he added dryly.
Duly noted, she said.
So I’m not your teacher.
Dude, I got it. We’ll just make an effort to beat the crap out of each other on a regular basis.
I was thinking more like we could teach each other, Aidan said.
Okay, your idea is better.
“It’s important for you both to have the opportunity to push each other’s limits,” Gregg continued. “You need an environment where you’re comfortable and free to be yourselves. I hate to push you so hard, but the power you own is immeasurable. You’re progressing at an alarming rate and we simply must keep up. Our primary goal will always be to leave you with some semblance of a normal life, but that means putting in a lot of hard work.”
“I understand.”
“Aye, I hate this more than you’ll ever know, sweetheart.”
“So what are we starting?”
“Capoeira.”
“Crappa-what?”
“Capoeira. A Brazilian martial art combining elements of wrestling and dance. It requires a great deal of strength and control. We’ll begin by blending your knowledge of yoga with the more complicated Capoeira forms. You’re really doing well, Allie, but you’re dead on your feet. You and Aidan are spending too much time on the beach and not enough resting. I expect you to sleep tonight. Now get out of here.”
We have to sleep, Lex. He’s going to put you through the wringer tomorrow.
~~~
I could just give you a key. Allie smiled when she heard Aidan’s light footsteps on her balcony.
“Keys just slow me down.” He flopped onto her armchair.
“What happened to sleeping?” She continued towel drying her hair.
“I have a theory,” he said nervously. “Just don’t get mad.”
“This oughta be good.”
“We’re exhausted.” He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it disheveled. “We’ve had the most success when we go to sleep at the same time, but even then, we only get a few hours. Somehow, I think it helps when we’re in the same sleep cycle and I thought … if we sleep together we might stay in sync longer.” He finished in a rush.
“What about our boundary issues?” She could see the merit of his theory but wondered if it was worth the potential drama.
“I couldn’t give a crap about our boundary issues! Aidan. Needs. Sleep!”
“If my parents catch you, I don’t know you.” She crawled into bed, willing to try anything.
He quickly stripped to his shorts and climbed in beside her.
“Oddly, it doesn’t bother me at all that it took absolute desperation to get you to sleep with me.”
“Har, har.” She felt an enormous amount of guilt, but she just couldn’t resist the lure of snuggling into his arms. His warm fingers trailed through her damp hair, and a moment later, it was dry.
Stop, Lex.
This would kill Vince.
This is just about sleep, he sighed. Try to rest.
~~~
How was it for you? he asked in the early dawn light.
Freaking fantastic! She stretched like a contented cat.
You’re welcome.
You’re awfully proud of yourself. Don’t get used to it.
Come on! You have to admit that was amazing! His grin was almost euphoric.
Best sleep ever. But it’s not a
permanent solution to our problem.
I know, but we’ll have to figure it out later. Get dressed. We have training. “And stop it with the guilt! This isn’t about Vince,” he said arrogantly, zipping his jeans.
~~~
“Did you sleep at all?” Gregg scowled at her. “You’re still exhausted.”
“I slept the whole night!”
“Aye, I guess you’ll do for today,” he growled.
“You’re planning on beating me bloody senseless, aren’t you?” She couldn’t hide her grin at their exchange. She loved their playful banter.
“Not today.” His grin was just as wide, and his wink was so reminiscent of Aidan’s she forgot for a moment that he wasn’t Aidan’s natural father.
“We’re going to adapt Capoeira with your yoga lessons to create one of the most difficult strength training regimens you’ll ever attempt. So difficult, you’ll need to draw on your power to get through our sessions.”
“How?”
“When we remain on the cusp of embracing our power, we’re at our strongest physically. It will be exhausting, but it will give you the stamina you need to get through our four-hour Saturday sessions.”
“Four hours? Sounds like torture.”
You’re not far off, Aidan said.
A little warning next time?
I didn’t think you’d get here so soon.
“I’m sorry, Red, I know I’m asking a lot,” Gregg continued, “but your seventeenth is just around the corner and we have to stay a step ahead of your progress.”
“I can handle it.”
“That’s my girl. Capoeira will teach you total control of your body.” He moved to the mat to demonstrate.
Allie watched as Gregg manipulated his body into impossible contortions, balancing his weight on one hand, holding the stance for several moments, still as a statue.
He slowly moved into a new form, keeping his body parallel to the mat where he held the position before moving seamlessly into an even more difficult one. He finished the form with a carefully controlled handstand, bringing his legs down slowly beneath him.
“Control. Unwavering control of every muscle in your body is what I’m going to teach you.” Sweat dripped from his face, a telltale sign of the effort it took for the demonstration.
“We’ll begin with a simplified cartwheel. First, take your right hand and place it on the mat, keeping your legs straight and your left arm extended like this.” He demonstrated. “Next, we’ll move into a measured handstand using core muscles to project the movement. Keep your lower body still, feet together at the apex where you will pause in a handstand with little or no movement, then you’ll slowly follow through with the cartwheel. This is where you’ll need to reach for your power to give you the added strength for endurance, but we won’t worry about that today.”
She saw how hard this was going to be as Gregg guided her through the movement. It took several attempts to get it right, her muscles quaking as she tried to hold the handstand. By the end of the first hour, she was drenched in sweat and her arms felt like Jell-O.
“Excellent! I’m not going to push you any further today, so we’ll move on to the sai for a bit, but no more practice blades. I’m afraid it’s time to release the Kraken,” he said dryly.
“Har, har, funny guy.”
“You’re doing very well, actually, but it’s time you learn how to spar with real weapons.” He absently chose a huge, two-handed claymore from his toy box. The blade was huge. “Any questions before we get started?”
“Um … I know I can’t actually hurt you, but are you going to cut me to ribbons with that thing?”
With an arrogant smirk, he flicked the sword with frightening speed. She choked on a gasp as the blade quivered against her throat.
“No, sweetheart, I will not hurt you.” He dropped the sword to his side.
“I think I just peed a little.”
“Up on the beam, Red!”
“Aw, can’t we stay on the nice flat ground?”
“Absolutely not!”
This is going to hurt! It was the first time she’d used real weapons in training—sharp ones anyway.
I’ll bet you my trust fund he won’t even nick you.
I’ll take that in large bills, please. She gingerly went through the motions of a few practice elements, but her heart wasn’t in it.
“You’re no bloody fun. Red! Come on, let’s ditch the gym. I get better results out of you in the Yard anyway.”
Allie loved training in the huge terrarium they used when they really wanted to be outside. Located in a large cavern, the “Yard” was a collaborative effort, with tall grasses, wildflowers and trees brought in by Emma’s daughter, Hélène, and bright sunshine from Emma. The puffy white clouds were Gregg’s contribution, while the rolling hills and boulders were Ming’s, and the babbling brook was Jin’s: the many other details were contributed by countless other trusted friends and family.
They started slowly as he showed her how to block his huge sword with her smaller weapons. Her blades began to sing when they finally picked up speed.
“Why do they do that?”
“I’ve only heard them sing for Kassandre and her mother. They’ve been silent far too long,” he said sadly. “They recognize the true gift of clairvoyance in you.” He reached to gather his own sai.
“They both had it?” she asked, eager for more information about the previous owners.
“Aye. Focus, Allie. Keep your lead blade up.”
For the last portion of their session, she mimicked Gregg’s movements as they marched through the tall grass, brandishing their weapons in sweeping, cutting, and thrusting forms. They moved slowly and carefully at first and then faster as she gained confidence.
“Nice job, Allie, but one last thing before you go,” he said when they returned to his office. “You need to arm yourself tonight.”
“For the ball?” She rolled her eyes.
“Aye, for the ball! You’re venturing out into the real world without us!”
“What did you have in mind?” She sighed patiently.
“I thought you might like to have a set of sai.” He had that mad, “I-love-shiny-weapons” glint in his eye.
“They don’t really match the dress.”
“I made you a concealable set.”
“Of course you did.” He showed her the slim miniature sai, sheathed in a soft pale leather belt that would blend with her dress.
“Strap the belt to your left thigh—and I trust you will not be letting Vince or my son near them?”
“Gregg!”
“I’m old, Red, but I’m not dead.” He chuckled. “Should you need them, grasp the hilts and as they’re unsheathed, the blades will lengthen. Imogen added her special brand of concealment. No mortal will see them until it’s too late.”
“Awesome!” She admired the slim, elegant weapons.
“I’m slowly winning you over to my side.” He dismissed her with a wink.
She rushed off for her next session, but as she reached for the door to Emma’s office, she felt an oppressive weight constrict her chest and was suddenly gripped in the horror of her nightmare.
Breathe, Lex.
Daytime now? How is this still haunting me? She closed her eyes only to see the confines of the caves.
It was a traumatic experience. If I’d known, I’d never have made you go. She could feel the immense amount of guilt he still carried for that.
Hey, none of that, she said. I didn’t know I would react like that either.
I feel so helpless every night, listening to your silent screams.
Not last night. I slept like a baby, thanks to you. I just need to deal with my fear.
~~~
“We’re going to be late!” Chloe bristled.
“She’s hurt!” Sasha rushed over to a row of benches along the city square. They’d just left the mall at Terminal Tower and were running late for their appointments at the salon in Tremont. Sasha c
rouched beside the dove struggling with a broken wing.
“We don’t have time! It’s just a bird,” Chloe said.
“You wouldn’t say that if you knew how she felt,” she said in an injured tone, reaching for the bird with a practiced hand. “I won’t hurt you. But you know that don’t you, girl? Aw, she’s just a baby!”
“Sasha, not here! We can’t draw attention to ourselves and you out here talking to a bird isn’t exactly staying incognito!” Allie hissed.
“You cannot heal that bird, Sasha!” Chloe cried.
“No one’s going to know what I’m doing, and it’s not like anyone can hear us. I’m not leaving her like this. She trusts me, and I won’t betray that trust.” Sasha stroked the broken wing. “It’s okay, girl, it’ll be all better soon.”
Lex, stop her! What is she thinking!
She’s not listening to me.
Use your authority!
What?
You are immeasurably more powerful than our friends. They will obey you!
I’m not ordering anyone around! She ignored Aidan, watching in awe of Sasha’s power as the broken wing flexed and mended. Allie just wasn’t so sure her claim that no one would understand what she was doing was all that accurate.
“You should see your faces!” Sasha giggled.
Chloe managed a tight smile and shrugged her shoulders.
She can be so reckless.
Don’t worry; when I get my hands on her, she’s dead!
~~~
“What the hell was that, Sasha?” Aidan advanced on his sister the moment they arrived at Kayla’s house to change for the Springtime Ball. Dressed in his tuxedo, he was formidable with unbridled anger flickering in his eyes.
“What was what?” She took a fearful step back.
“You know what I mean.”
“You told him?” Sasha rounded on Allie.
“She didn’t have to.”
“You guys have a stronger bond than you let on, don’t you?”
“You know better than that! Why would you be so irresponsible? I should send you home and let Dad deal with you!”
“Please, the ball!” she cried. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”
Allie couldn’t believe her eyes. Aidan was disciplining his older sister as if he were one of her teachers.
You really are in charge when the adults aren’t around?
Immortals of Indriell- The Collection Page 26