“Miss Perez.”
“Hi,” I answered lamely.
His lip curled. “Professor Cassiano, please.”
“Right. Sorry, Professor.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Cassiano,” I added.
“You are supposed to wait outside of the training hall before class. Not come in and waltz around.”
I was taken a back at his harsh tone. Did every GRIMM have to be an elitist jerk?
“I don’t even know how to waltz.” The words flew out with more venom than I’d meant.
His dark eyebrows shot up to his thinning hairline. “Excuse me?”
My gaze slid to the door behind him. Just in case I needed to make a hasty retreat.
“Professor Cassiano, sir,” I added.
He cleared his throat and folded his hands in front of himself. “I am aware this is your first day at the academy and somehow you managed to enroll in my class before completing orientation.” He paused at this, blue eyes studying me. “However, the board has selected me as your mentor, Miss Perez.”
Shock ran through me. Him? That was just perfect.
“And as your mentor, I must ensure your success at the academy or at least your active participation.”
I frowned. What was he talking about? I was participating. I showed up, didn’t I?
He sniffed. “On the mat, please. We will see what skill you have and where best to place you.”
Dread rolled in my gut. Sword playing with Javi was different. I highly doubted this man would be impressed or even tolerating of my lack of skill.
Glancing down at my uniform, I paused. “Shouldn’t I change first?”
He stared at me. “You were supposed to do that before coming to class. On the mat.”
I squared my shoulders and walked to the center of the hard mat. Not exactly the safest place to land if I fell. Professor Cassiano turned his back to me and strode over to the locked doors. Was he really going to do this now? He was going to teach me how to fight with weapons dressed like he was going to a business meeting? How did they move in such stiff clothes? I took off my jacket and glanced down at my own shirt and tie and shook my head. How was I going to move in my uniform?
“I want to see how you would hold this.” He handed me a thin sword.
My heart sank. It reminded me of my fencing sword back home I’d never been able to master. Sucking in a breath, I took it and lifted it in the air.
His brow furrowed. “No.”
Without explaining further, he took the weapon from me and returned it, coming back with a slightly thicker one.
I gripped it and lifted it in front of myself.
Professor Cassiano shook his head, took it, and returned with another one. It looked the exact same.
Frowning, I shrugged it off and held that one up.
He sighed. “No.”
Irritation stirred inside me as he replaced it again with another sword. I had no idea so many types of swords existed, and I couldn’t have named any of them had he asked me to—which he didn’t.
We followed the same routine. He handed me a different one, I held it up, he shook his head and returned with another one. Again and again.
“Maybe we should try a different weapon.” I grumbled after another no from him.
His eyebrow arched. “Do you have skill in another weapon?”
I snorted. “I don’t have skill with any weapon. I’d rather learn hand to hand combat. Can you teach me that?” I nodded toward the boxing ring.
He blinked at me. “Hand to hand combat should always be your last resort, Miss Perez. Weapons are our best chance against the extraordinaire.”
It wasn’t enough to stop Manny. I shuddered at the memory of his skin healing right in front of me.
“It’s just that… you haven’t found me a sword yet that you’ve liked. Seems like kind of a waste of time. For both of us.”
He turned his back to me and disappeared in the weapons room once more. “Tell me, Miss Perez. What weapon did your mother use?”
His question startled me. What was the story again? My mom was Tía Teresa’s sister who didn’t have the sight. So, she wouldn’t have been trained as a GRIMM, right?
Professor Cassiano stepped out and glanced at me. “It wasn’t a trick question.”
A nervous chuckle escaped me. “Right. Well. My mom died when I was a baby, so I don’t really know. My dad was ordinaire.”
I glanced at the bracelet, worried it was going to zap me for speaking the truth.
The professor stared at me. “So, you don’t know.”
I shook my head. “Nope. Sorry. You could ask my uncle,” I winced. “Or aunt. You know they were sisters.”
Shut up, idiot. You’re making him suspicious.
He folded his hands in front of himself. “I see. That will be all, Miss Perez.”
Sweat dripped from my forehead and my arm was sore from the constant lifting and slashing. A sigh of relief escaped me. I was so ready to be done. Hop into a cool shower and stuff my face with the whole buffet.
He sniffed, pushing back a long strand of silver hair that had fallen from his loose ponytail. “It’s not talent that you lack, Miss Perez. It’s training. Which thankfully is something I can provide for you, but I highly suggest you look for a tutor in addition. You will have to work very hard to catch up to the level you should be at. Very hard.”
I bit back a groan. Working was the last thing I wanted to think about that moment. My whole body protested the idea of it.
“Right. Thanks.” I nodded.
His eyes narrowed.
“Professor Cassiano.”
Lips pursed, he continued to eye me with interest. I fought the urge to squirm under his watchful gaze.
He clasped his hands. “Very good. We will meet again tomorrow morning. First thing. 6:00 a.m.”
My eyes widened. No way in hell.
“Six?”
“When one is at a disadvantage, one must work extra hard.”
He lifted a shoulder and waved me toward the exit.
“But… tomorrow is Saturday.” I
