Page 59 of The Stone Initiation
He was doing this to make a point. Hit me hard and illustrate that I didn’t belong here. But the joke was on him. I already knew I wasn’t guardian material. I just needed to be cadet material for long enough to get what I came for.
Sharniza took a step forward, but I cut her off with a look.
“It’s okay. I’m fine.”
Sharniza’s lip curled in a silent snarl aimed at Curi, but she didn’t say a word.
Touron on the other hand wasn’t done. He rounded on Curi, his voice dropping an octave. “I know where you sleep.”
Curi smirked. “Anytime.”
I was so done with the male posturing. “Let’s just do this.”
Romi had trained me for years in self-defense. I could handle myself well enough against a human or a supernatural, but I’d never gone up against a gargoyle. Romi didn’t count because he’d always held back in training, afraid to hurt me. Still. there was a first time for everything. I wasn’t holding out hope of beating Curi, but I could evade, get in a few punches then hit the mat when I was ready for time out.
“Take to the mats,” Farnell said to Curi. “We’ll get you over with first.”
Over with, because he didn’t expect me to last long. Indignation flared in my chest and the stupid stubborn part of me that didn’t like being outdone reared its petty head.
No. No. I’d stick to the plan. Evade, get in a couple of blows then hit the mats.
Touron walked right up to Curi, and for a moment it looked as if he was going to smack into him, but he swerved at the last moment so that only his shoulder bumped the goyle.
Curi shook his head, a dry smile on his lips, and when his eyes locked with mine that smile widened.
“You ready to rumble halfblood?” he asked.
“Sure, blue boy, let’s do this.” Nerves be damned. I wasn’t going to make this easy. I wasn’t going to go down like a fool. Romi hadn’t trained me for nothing. I’d make him proud.
The other gargoyles moved back and surrounded our mat.
I kicked off my sneakers and bounced on my feet, rolled my shoulders, and did a few stretches like Romi had taught me.
“Are you done dancing?” Curi growled.
I smiled sweetly at him. “No, Curi, I’m just about to get started.”
Curi lowered his head and charged.
My stomach dropped and then a calm settled over me.Hold,Romi’s voice filled my head.Hold. Let him run at you then use his momentum against him.
Now.
I side-stepped ready to spin so I was behind him, ready to shove him, but his tree trunk arm slammed into my chest, knocking the wind out of my lungs and the feet out from under me.
No. He’d anticipated my move.
Up, Get up. Move.
I rolled in time to avoid being crushed. Fiery claws dug into my scalp tearing a scream from my lips.
He had me by the hair.
Shit.
I twisted, and grabbed his thick wrist, digging in my nails.
He laughed. “That might work on a human’s skin, but I’m not human.”
