Page 128 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“Alright, I think you’re struggling because of the way that you’re gripping your sword,” Liam pronounced. “Let’s see if we can find you a position that makes it a little easier.”
Stepping behind me, he lifted my arm holding the sword. “Let’s try a few movements together. Killian, can you spar with Lena so we can work on her posture and hold?”
“Of course.”
Killian swiped towards me, while Liam helped guide me to block his attack. Once metal hit metal, I felt the impact vibrate down my arm, wincing at the ache it left in its wake.
“I thought so,” Liam huffed. “You’re holding the sword too low. It’s causing your movements to feel sluggish, and you’re taking the full brunt of the impact when the swords collide.”
He adjusted my grip and then guided me with the correct movement before releasing me and taking a few steps back. “Alright, little lady, show Killian what you got.”
Rolling my head from side to side, I positioned myself in my stance.Here goes nothing.
We circled each other for a few moments. I was still trying to muster up the courage to strike. Before I had the chance, Killian advanced towards me. With an extremely uncoordinated swipe, I was able to block, but it threw my feet off balance.
“Focus, Lena,” Liam grumbled.
Tossing him a sarcastic salute, I realigned my stance. We began circling each other again before Liam bellowed from the side.
“Your enemies aren’t going to dance with you when they fight you, Lena. Get in there!”
Lowering my weapon, I used my other hand to throw an obscene gesture back towards him.
Before I could witness his response, the sound of footsteps thundering towards me pulled me back to the ring. The hum of Killian’s sword rang through the air just in enough time for meto lift my sword to barely block his attack. The force of his blade hitting mine sent my ass cascading down into the hard dirt. A growl rumbled in my throat as I massaged my stinging tailbone.
“They’re also not going to wait to take a strike while their opponent is distracted.” Killian extended out a hand for me to grab.
Slapping it away, I pulled myself up as the two of them snickered. I found my hold, and my glare locked onto Killian’s.
“I think the Light Phoenix has finally come out to play!” Liam shouted.
Killian extended his palm towards me, curling his fingers, coaxing me to charge him. The strength in my arm was no comparison to Killian’s, but perhaps I could use speed to my advantage.
Digging my toes into the soil, I pushed forward. Killian matched my pace as we raced towards each other, weapons high. Stopping short, Killian raised his sword and braced for impact. Pulling all the weight from my upper body, I grabbed my sword with both hands and leapt towards him. With all my force, I shoved my sword against his.
The sound of the collision rang in my ears as I used my forward motion to turn and sweep around him. Recovering from my first blow, he whipped around as well, but not in enough time to block my next attack. I swung my sword towards his shoulder. As he dodged the blade, I swept my long leg underneath one of his own. He stumbled, arms flailing as he tried to recover. However, it wasn’t enough to save him. His heavy, muscled body sent him careening into the dirt, face first.Ouch.
A howl of laughter echoed behind me, and I couldn’t help the grin that lifted my cheeks. Killian rolled over onto his back, wiping the dirt from his face. I extended my hand towards him. With a snort, he accepted, and I pulled him back up onto two feet.
“Well done, Lena” He gave me a pat on my back.
Before I could ask if he was ready for round two, another hand whipped me around.
“Lena, that was great. But let me show you some moves that will clean up some of those sloppy swipes.” Will smiled, like he hadn’t just given me a backhanded compliment. Killian’s fist clenched as he took a step forward. I pressed my palm against his chest and shook my head.
“I’ll be okay,” I whispered.
He glared at the boy swinging his fancy sword behind me and then shuffled towards Liam. A little smile twitched against my cheeks as they both crossed their arms over their chests.
Will pulled me into him. With his chest pressed against my back, he placed his sword in my hands. Calloused fingers slid over my arm as he adjusted my grip, eliciting a shiver to ripple over my skin. Unlike before, this shiver felt like my body revolting against his touch. It was as if my dynamis knew how wrong it felt as well.
“Hmm,” a familiar deep voice seethed from behind us. “I see while the cat’s away, the mice will play.”
Shadows rippled over his arms as he glowered at us from the edge of the training ring.
My forehead furrowed, my nose wrinkled in disgust at the way he glared behind me at Will. His hands were balled in fists at his sides, lips curled into a snarl. This was not at all how I’d imagined his return going.
Words stalled on my tongue while I nervously awaited Declan’s. Will’s arm tightened around my waist in a silent challenge. Declan traced his every move, lingering over the spot where Will’s fingers pressed into my hip. When his burning gaze flicked towards mine, my breath hitched as I sucked my lips in between my mouth.
