Page 8 of Enchanted Shadows
She wasn’t too far from the mark. “I’ve been trying to get you all to see from the start how hard this will be, how grueling.” I cocked my head. “I was put in charge of heading this up. The first team of all women. None of my training classes has failed yet, and I don’t just want to train you, I want you to be able to stand on your own next to my other classes, one of which is arguably the best team in Wylan. So if I have to growl, if I have to yell a little, so be it.”
She inhaled deeply. “Just teach them how to throw a proper punch, okay?”
“Them?What about you?”
That smile finally emerged as she began walking for the barracks and said over her shoulder. “Oh, I already know how.”
I stood there shaking my head wondering why she had pushed so hard for it if it wasn’t even something she personally needed. Had she been looking out for the team?
Three days in and we were already down one. I knew there would be more in the days to come, but despite the attitude she’d thrown at me, I hoped Zara stayed. Hoped that both of us trusted this process and saw it through to the end. The tension hard work demanded was settling in.
CHAPTER 4
Not sure what it said about me, but I was looking forward to beating the hell out of Miles today. The best way to teach the women some self-defense was to show them myself.
“Listen up,” I commanded.
They all moved in closer in the training ring. I wasn’t sure if I was in a better mood or if there truly had been less grumbling this morning for our run. Maybe they had been looking forward to this. Regardless, the morning had gone relatively smoothly. Thus far.
“Self-defense is fluid. We’re going to start out with three basic moves. Once everyone has mastered all three of them, we will move on. But when it comes to defending yourself, there are no rules and honor does not apply because if you are not safe, you are not respected. Cheap shots are allowed. Encouraged even. I don’t care if you have to scratch, bite, claw, or go straight for a groin shot. If you are being attacked, you do whatever it takes, understood?”
There were a few timid nods, but I seemed to have all of their attention.
“Understood?” I snapped.
“Yes, General,” they responded together.
“This is Lieutenant Miles Rook.”
Miles added, “Otherwise known as his punching bag for today.”
A few laughs were heard as Miles and I moved to face one another. “Now. First off is the stance. Feet shoulder length apart. Don’t lock your legs, keep those knees ready to run. Stagger your feet so you are ready to move in either direction.”
I held up my hands. “I will teach you to properly form fists eventually, but for now, I want you practicing with open hands. Palms up. Particularly convenient for those of you with palm magic.”
I gestured with two fingers for Miles to come at me. And when he did, I used my entire body, core tight as I rotated my hips and forced my entire hand at his face. Because I was feeling generous, I aimed for the middle of his forehead instead of his nose.
As the smack sounded, there were a few gasps.
“I was kind and didn’t aim for his nose, because I do not hate Miles?—”
“Could have fooled me,” Miles interjected, rubbing his head. “Did you have to go so hard?”
I sent him a side-eye of a glare. “Yes. They have to learn how to do this right.”
“Right.”
I got back into ready stance and showed them the motion again. “But you should absolutely aim for the nose if it is real. Eyes, throat, groin. Rotate your hips and use your entire body with the motion. Keep your core tight and explode upward.”
My sister choked on a laugh on the wordexplodeand started giggling.
“Wren.”
“Sorry, now is not the time, got it.”
Miles looked annoyed as he glanced from me to her and back again.
“What other word would you have me use, Wren?”
