Page 35 of Legacy of Thorns
Her eyes skipped over Morrow just as quickly. She’d been training most of her life, but she didn’t fancy facing off against someone of his size. Which left…A smile grew on her face.
“I’m sure Finley would be happy to help me,” she said sweetly.
From Finley’s look of resignation, he had expected her words.
Nisha agreed, and they all moved outside.
“I’m not a weapons master like you, Nisha,” Daphne said as they gathered on a level patch of forest floor. “And I’m not saying I’m an expert at unarmed combat either. But if someone grabs me, I won’t just be a helpless victim. So that’s what I want to show you—what I’ll do if someone tries to seize me.”
“That’s fair enough,” Nisha said after a moment’s thought. “I can’t expect you to be able to fend off any imaginable attack since none of us could do that.”
“Are you sure?” Archie muttered with a grin, eyeing the array of weapons that bristled all over Nisha.
But she gave him a stern look in response. “It doesn’t matter who you are, or how well trained—there’s always the chance of encountering an opposing force strong enough to take you down. If Daphne knows basic self-defense, that’s enough for me.”
Daphne turned to Finley. “Try to grab me.”
“From the front or the back?” He eyed her speculatively.
“Either. Or…wait. We’ll do both. You choose which one first so I’m surprised.”
Finley sighed. “This is going to hurt, isn’t it? Hurt me, I mean.”
She gave him her sweetest smile. “Maybe.”
He sighed again. “I guess I deserve it.” And then without any warning, he lunged at her.
Before she had time to sidestep, he’d grabbed one of her arms and spun her around so her back was against his chest. Wrapping both arms around her, he locked her arms at her sides.
Daphne responded on instinct. Using a small jump to spread her stance, she bent her knees, lowering her body. At the same time, she thrust both elbows upward, breaking his hold.
He tried to recapture her, but she moved too quickly. Reaching her left hand across her right shoulder, she grabbed his arm and yanked him onto her back. Continuing in one swift motion, she stepped forward and threw him over her shoulder.
He landed on his back with a grunt and lay there. Daphne instantly let go of his arm and stepped backward.
The four on their feet all stared down at Finley, who wasn’t attempting to stand. He waved a hand at them.
“Just…give…me…a minute,” he wheezed.
Archer crowed with delight. “Nice work, Daphne!”
Finley finally rose to his feet, shaking himself out. “Do we really have to do that again?”
“Yes,” Nisha said. “Now from the front.” Her tone was serious, but Daphne glimpsed a laugh in her eyes.
Once again Finley lunged for Daphne without warning. Seizing both her wrists, he clamped down on them with a firm grip. For the second time, Daphne’s body responded instinctively, reacting to years of training.
Twisting her arms inward, she rotated within his grip until she could reverse his hold, clamping onto his wrists in just the way he was attempting to do to her. But unlike him, she didn’t stop there. Kicking forward in one fluid motion, she only just remembered to soften her blow before her foot connected with his chest.
He let go and staggered backward, rubbing his hand on the impact point. Daphne winced. At least she hadn’t followed up her kick with an elbow to the head as her parents had trained her.
“Do I pass?” she asked Nisha.
“I apologize for doubting you.” Nisha spoke solemnly. “I can recognize training when I see it. If you like, I could teach you some knife fighting techniques to expand your capability.”
“I suspect I should be honored by the offer,” Daphne said carefully. “So I’m thankful. But I’m afraid it’s an honor I’ll have to decline.”
Nisha blinked. “Why?” She sounded like she couldn’t fathom anyone turning down such a treat.
