“Okay, that makes sense. But why not tonight?”
“Rye said tomorrow,” Grace says.
Suddenly, she won’t look me in the eye and I know she’s hiding something. I open my mouth to demand she tells me everything, but Aziza jumps in.
“I don’t know why we’re even bothering. Even with the dagger, it’s not like she stands any chance of killing the horseman. Look at her. She’s weak,” Aziza says, giving me a look of contempt for good measure.
I take a moment to get my emotions in check. If I bite now, then I’ll only prove Aziza’s point.
“And yet still I’m your only hope,” I say, keeping my voice calm. “So how about we make a deal? If you have nothing useful to say, then don’t say anything at all.”
Aziza glowers at me. Grace high-fives me, and Mel laughs out loud.
“She kind of has a point Z-Z,” Ya-Ya says.
“So she can make sarcastic comments. Wow, I had no idea we could use those as a weapon,” Aziza says.
“Seems like it hurt you,” Sunday says with a grin.
I feel better to know the rest of the team is on my side in this.
“I figure there’s only one way to solve this argument, ladies,” Jinx puts in. “The way any classy ladies do it. Mud wrestle in your underwear.”
Instantly, Aziza and I are on the same side as we both reach out to smack Jinx. He ducks away laughing. The whole team is glaring at him. He catches Sunday’s eye.
“Oh, don’t you start with the evils. You know I only said what you were thinking,” he says.
“Aren’t you late, Sailor?” Mel says.
“Late for what?” I ask.
“Your training session with Rye,” she says.
I look at my watch.
“Shit,” I say, getting to my feet. “Sorry, Sunday. Can we pick this up another time?”
“Yes, don’t keep Rye waiting. It would be horrible if he saw you as anything less than perfect,” Aziza sneers.
I decide not to take her bait and I just roll my eyes and hurry away. It seems Jinx is useful for something, because as I leave, he’s taunting Aziza, telling her she’s just jealous. I don’t hear her response, but I’m sure it’s not polite.
I hurry through the cabin and out the back door to the training room. From the outside, it looks like a small warehouse. On the inside, it’s like an armory. Shelves filled with all kinds of weapons line one wall, and the center is clear, a space for sparring. I’ve had one session already where Ya-Ya showed me the basics of how to hold a sword and how to use one. I’ll have some weapons training first, and then I’ll be trained in hand-to-hand combat.
I reach the warehouse and take a deep breath. I am the damn Paradox. I’m here to save the world, not get a date, and I’m certainly not here to get a lecture on my timekeeping. I step inside. Rye is facing away from the door but he turns around as I enter. He is wearing a pair of black combat pants and nothing else. My eyes go straight to his abs and I know instantly I’m in trouble here. Why does he have to be so damn perfect to look at?
“Nice of you to join me,” he smirks.
His arm moves and before I can really register what’s going on, a sword is coming at my face. I reach up and snatch it out of the air, more instinct than anything allowing me to make the catch.
“Nice,” Rye smirks.
“What the fuck! I get that I’m a little late, but that could have killed me,” I snap.
“It’s a training blade. It’s blunt. The worst it could have done was broken your nose,” Rye says. “Now are you going to stand there bitching, or are you going to make me pay?”
Oh, it’s so on.
I advance toward Rye, my sword held out in front of me. I get closer to Rye and I begin to circle him, waiting for a moment to strike. I swipe out with the sword, and he ducks beneath my shot and kicks my feet out from beneath me. I land on the padded ground with an oomph.
“You have to be faster than that,” Rye taunts me.
He offers me his hand and I ignore it, pushing myself up and springing at him. He’s ready for it and he nimbly sidesteps. I go sprawling to my knees. My face is burning in anger and humiliation.
I push myself up, hot tears burning my eyes.
“Are you hurt?” Rye asks, the taunting sneer gone, replaced with a look of genuine concern that makes my heart ache.
I shake my head.
“No. But you’re supposed to be training me, not humiliating me,” I snap.
I can feel my cheeks burning. Rye smiles, his normal smile.
“You don’t get it, Sailor. I’m not here to show you the ABCs of fighting. You’re the Paradox. Everything you need to know is inside you. I’m here to unlock it, that’s all.”
“But I don’t even know where to start.”
“Sailor, you took on a Slip Demon before you even knew any of this existed,” Rye points out.
“That was different. Maya’s life was in danger and I just acted out of instinct like anyone would.”
“Like anyone would? Most people would have run a mile at the sight of that thing.” Rye laughs. “Just relax and let it come.”
I nod and take a few calming breaths. I close my eyes and then I snap them open again. Rye and I circle each other. I don’t make the mistake of rushing in this time, although his sneer is back. He keeps making a move toward me and then pulling away, trying to taunt me into reacting too quickly. I’m not going to take the bait. Instead, I wait patiently for him to make a mistake.
When it’s clear he’s not going to make a mistake, I begin to think of a different tactic. I copy him, moving in close and pulling away, keeping him on his
