Page 64 of Avidian
Malachi lets out a long exhale, his hand dragging down his face. “Fine. We’ll try it your way, but not tonight. Let’s do it tomorrow during the day. Is that okay?”
I nod, relieved to have won this round. I need to get a grip on this case fast.
“This feelsawkward to do while I’m wearing a dress. People are looking at us,” I mutter, glancing toward the gym floor, where groups are practicing sparring techniques or watching from the bleachers.
“It’s even better that you’re wearing a dress,” Malachi counters with a smirk, stepping closer. “Real-world scenarios, Kat. You’re not always going to be in gym clothes when something goes down. Besides, no one’s looking because of your dress.”
I shoot him a skeptical look as he moves behind me, slipping his arm around my waist in a mock grab. And I think I might go on a while letting him believe I’m weak. “Alright, here’s the deal—if you can’t escape like this,” he begins, tightening his hold slightly, “you stomp on his foot, elbow him in the kidney, or?—”
“Hit him in the dick?” I interrupt with a grin.
“That’ll work. Whatever you do, don’t grab his arms and try to wrestle free. You’re not strong enough to flip someone like me over, and it won’t hurt him,” he says, releasing me.
“Good to know,” I say sweetly before immediately elbowing him in the gut.
“Low blow,” he chuckles, rubbing his stomach.
“How many Avids are here anyway? What can they all do? I want to know more about their gifts. Maybe someone can help me understand mine better.”
“Curiosity suits you,” he teases, dodging when I try to poke him in the ribs. “There’s a lot to learn, but tonight,” he starts, pausing to give me an unreadable look, “I was thinking we could do something you probably haven’t done in years.”
I cross my arms, tilting my head. “Oh yeah, what’s that?”
Malachi grins, stepping toward me again. “Have fun.”
“Fun?” I arch a brow, stepping out of reach. “Define fun.”
“Let loose. Stop worrying about who’s watching or what’s happening next. The case can wait until tomorrow,” he says.
I turn to face him fully, catching his sly grin.
“You mean do something crazy?” I ask, throwing his own words back at him, the memory of that night in the park surfacing between us.
“Exactly,” he replies, and the intensity in his gaze sparks something reckless in me. Something that makes me want to seize the night, as he put it before.
“Come on, Mal, you’re going too easy on her,” Rain calls out as she approaches. She’s dressed in fitted training gear, her purple hair braided back today, and I notice a faint scar above her left eye that only adds to her no-nonsense demeanor.
“We’re letting off some steam,” Malachi says, his voice calm but firm. “She’s not starting a full training regimen yet.”
Rain doesn’t seem to care. She steps into the ring without waiting for an invitation and waves him off. “Get out. Let me show her how to really defend herself.”
I glance at Malachi, who hesitates. His eyes linger on me, reluctant, like he’s expecting something to go wrong. I almost want to roll my eyes—if he thinks I can’t handle this, he’s got another thing coming.
Rain cracks her neck and rolls her shoulders like she's about to take on a heavyweight champion. “Alright, new girl,” she says, grinning, her eyes gleaming with mockery. “Come at me. Let’s see if you’re more than just talk.”
I raise an eyebrow, sizing her up. "Is this really necessary?"
She doesn’t answer, and I look over at Malachi again, but Rain is already on me. “Don’t look at him. Focus on me.”
Before I can respond, she’s coming at me, faster than I expect. Her fist taps lightly against my arm, more a reminder than an attack. “Come on, that’s it?” she sneers. “Fight back. You don’t want to be a disappointment, do you?”
I clench my jaw, feeling the irritation simmer. She’s underestimating me, and that’s a mistake. I throw a punch, aiming for her shoulder. She blocks it easily, and I let my training kick in. I’ve never had to use it outside of Marco’s gym before, but I can take this bitch and show her I’m not someone to be walked all over—not here—not when I don’t have to obey anyone’s rules.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Rain taunts, circling me like a predator. “Hit me like you mean it, or are you all talk?”
My blood boiling, I swing again, this time putting some real force behind it, but she catches my arm in midair and twists, sending me crashing to the mat with humiliating ease. The crowd murmurs, some laughing, some watching in silence.
I push myself up quickly, my face hot with embarrassment and fury. I glare up at her, she stands over me with that smug look still plastered on her face.
