Page 22 of The Devil's Trials

“Okay, so—”

“We’ll start and end every session here. Ten minutes to warm up and a ten-minute walk to cool down after we train.”

Instead of trying to speak again, I only nod. My heart is beating a bit harder, a physical reminder of just how much I’ve neglected fitness over the years.

“Meet me on the mats when you’re finished here.” He walks away without waiting for a response.

After my ten minutes are up, I take a few gulps of water as I cross the room to where Noah is waiting for me.

“What do you remember from your training?”

I press my lips together, considering it. I didn’t get past the in-class lectures five years ago, but I’m afraid if I remind Noah that, he’ll realize just how much his work is cut out for him and bail on me. “I think we need to start with the basics here.”

He arches a brow. “I figured. But you didn’t answer my question.”

My eyes narrow, and I exhale through my nose before I say, “I really only remember the textbook stuff. Demons feed on fear and are able to create it in humans in the form of nightmares and hallucinations. They aren’t completely immortal but are as close as it gets, so long as they feed regularly. Their weakness is obsidian, which is why our weapons are crafted from it.”

Noah nods when I finish listing off what I remember. “What else?”

I shrug. “They’re fast and strong.”

He exhales a breathy laugh. “Wow. They should have you teaching Demons 101.”

I flip him off.

“That’s not very nice,” he comments, tutting his tongue.

I prop my hands on my hips. “Are you done quizzing me?”

“For now.” He stands back and looks me over. Not in a creepy, leering way, but it still makes the tops of my ears burn. I have his complete attention and it’s definitely not helping with the nerves. If anything, it’s making my pulse tick faster. His scrutiny makes me want to look away, but I know that’ll only give him more power, so I force myself to keep my eyes on him.

“See something you like?” I retort.

“No,” he says plainly, and heat spreads through my cheeks. “You need to build muscle. I could knock you over with no effort at all.”

I scowl but say nothing to refute that, because he’s right, and we both know it. I let my arms fall back to my sides. “Fine. I need to start lifting weights. Got it.”

He nods. “And I checked your fridge while you were changing this morning. You and I are going grocery shopping later.”

I gape at him for being so blasé about going through my stuff, then quickly come up with, “I’m not giving up carbs. You’ll have to pry them from my cold, dead hands.”

“Did I say that?”

“Just so we’re clear,” I mutter, shifting back and forth on my feet.

He exhales through his nose. “Can we focus on your training now, or do you want to keep running your mouth at me?”

I give him a look, which he ignores.

“I need to see what you can do so I know where to start. If I was a demon and you didn’t have a dagger, what would you do?”

“Run?” I offer weakly, knowing full well that is pretty much the worst course of action. Demons love the chase.

“Want to try that again?”

I blow out a breath. “I don’t know. Try to call for backup and keep myself alive long enough for them to show up?”

He nods. “How would you do that?”

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