Page 69 of Hunters and Prey

Her red brows bounced up an inch. “You felt that?”

He grunted. “I did. Could you not?”

“Apologies. I meant no harm. Stress inhibits healing, and I didn’t want us to begin today’s lessons on the wrong foot, given the amount of time we’re about to spend together.”

Now it was his turn to raise a brow, but she gestured for him to follow her down the hall. “You’ll be sized for a proper cuirass today, as will the rest of your men. It was foolish of us to begin training you without the proper armor. In the meantime, the training curriculum has been…adjusted accordingly, until Master Alohi finishes.”

“Adjusted how?”

“Coral glider training. Regent Aegaeon has agreed to gift two dozen coral gliders to MIRAGE for use in patrolling the Atlantic coast of your nation if this little experiment doesn’t end in failure.”

He blinked. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it. When was this decided?”

“This morning.” Amusement danced in her eyes when she turned to face him just shy of the armory. “Daunted?”

“Thrilled,” he replied, lying through his teeth, though her husky chuckle told him she wasn’t fooled.

---