Page 19 of Light in Your Eyes
It seems that Kellan's opponent is around the same age. His body is also well built with broad shoulders, but hedoesn't look as intimidating as Kellan. His nostrils flare while Kellan's chest heaves up. Kellan takes a deep breath, a sign that he's trying to calm his temper before the fight begins.
"I don't understand why they never learn from their mistakes," a girl watching beside me is talking to her friend. "How are they supposed to complete Fenrir's task if they can't even defeat a blind man?"
Her friend laughs. "I don't care. We get to enjoy their practice session. We're lucky Kellan is the trainer for our fighters, and it seems that he always enjoys giving them a hard time."
When another guy in the ring gives the sign to start the fight with his hand, my heart starts to race. Kellan is blind—I don't know how he's going to win this fight.
The other guy attacks first. I almost gasp as Kellan dodges his punch. When he tries to land a kick, Kellan blocks it, whirls to lift his opponent's body, and then throws him harshly onto the ground.
Kellan's opponent groans in pain as the back of his head smacks the hard cement. I wince. I'm not used to violence, and part of me wants to leave immediately. Yet, my feet feel like being nailed onto the ground. I'm being hypnotized by the sight before me—Kellan, especially.
How could a blind person move so fast and so easily? It's almost as if he can feel his opponent's movement before the guy launches the next attack.
Watching Kellan fighting is like watching a beautiful piece of art slowly being unleashed before my eyes. He moves so quickly and gracefully, like he is the wind and that nothing could stop him.
Ironically, Kellan looks more composed when he fights. He's now less angry and a lot calmer than he was before the fight, as though he finally gains control.
I read somewhere that losing one of your senses might strengthen the other senses, and I think it happens to Kellan. He lost his eyesight, but his ability to feel and hear, as well as his reflexes, is better than normal people.
Kellan lands a powerful kick on his opponent's ribs, tossing him against the ropes across the ring. A loud 'Ouch' echoes from the crowd. The poor guy snaps his head toward Kellan. He glares at the blind martial artist, spitting blood from his mouth.
Anyone can see how much the guy wants to defeat Kellan, but just as he storms again at Kellan, Kellan ducks and kicks him on the leg, causing him to fall. Before he can even get up, Kellan aims another kick. The guy freezes as Kellan's foot stops mere inches from the pulse on his neck. It's a dead end for him. Kellan wins.
"If this happened on your mission, you would be fucking dead," Kellan's voice echoes. He then turns his head toward the other side of the ring and hisses, "Next fighters better not call me before you win a fight against him."
The crowd roars at the victory of their king, and only then do I realize that I've been panting. This is crazy. I never thought that watching an actual fight would make my heart beat so rapidly.
Kellan steps down from the ring. While he's making his way through the people who automatically step aside to let him walk, I rush toward him.
"Wait." My voice is muffled as the crowd roars again towelcome another fighter stepping onto the stage to challenge the guy who just got beaten by Kellan.
"Kellan," I shout, but my effort is to no avail because the surrounding voices are too loud.
Panic begins to consume me when I see him about to disappear into the crowd. He's the only one who will understand why I'm here, and I'm supposed to assist him at all times inside this house, just as Cole told me to.
I quicken my pace, and the moment I see his back, I impulsively stretch my arm to reach him. I'm about to touch him when he suddenly whirls around. He snaps my hand off, pushing me backward. I stumble, falling to the ground.
I wince in pain, looking up to see him, only to find him glaring in my direction. His jaw tightens, as though his body is sending him signals that I'm a threat.
Kellan is blind, but his reflexes are so damn good, resulting from his primal need to protect himself.
People abruptly stop what they are doing to watch us. I'm too shaken to stand up. They are staring down at me, forming a circle around me and Kellan. I might be the only one here who dared touch their king—that fact is enough to divert their attention from the boxing ring, as though what's happening here is much more interesting.
Kellan is still seething in front of me. I have to explain.
Slowly, I stand on my feet. "Sorry that I startled you."
He frowns. His anger is still very much visible, but I can see a bit of curiosity on his face.
I swallow. "This might not be the best way to introduce myself." I scan the surrounding crowd, who seem to grow quieter the more seconds pass. Then I return my gaze toKellan. "Do you mind if we talk somewhere else?"
Privately, I beg in my heart. Being the center of attention like this is too much for me.
"Speak now. Here," Kellan says in a commanding tone, leaving me no room to argue.
I have no obligation to obey that kind of command, but I have a feeling that going against him now would lead to more trouble.
I straighten my spine, taking a deep breath. "I'm Layla, your new caregiver. Your brother, Jaxon, hired me to take care of you and assist you."
