Page 124 of Rebirth Of Order
She gives me a shy smile, then retrains her attention to Horus. Their chemistry is fluid, borderline flirty, but somehow intriguing to watch. We fays haven’t had much interaction with those from the realm of mortals, so Kyra is considered a bridge between worlds. One I’m determined to understand.
“Alright, everyone.” I stand. “Today will be a little different from our previous sessions. You’ll pair up as usual, but every five minutes, you’ll switch to a new partner. It should be seamless. Meaning, once you hear the bell, you’ll immediately attack the fay left of you, and continue,” I instruct, straightening the creases from my black sweatpants.
“What’s the nature of this exercise?” Ryan asks, and those surrounding him step away.
“If you’re in battle with multiple enemies, fairness no longer exists. Most times, their goal is to kill you by any means. Unlike your everyday battle for ranking where honor exists, this will help you adjust to another enemy’s fighting style without becoming a target or worse, a victim.”
Whispers spread, and my palm rotates, conjuring an hourglass above the stage where all attention lands. Everyone besides Kyrawhose gaze is anchored to mine. Curiosity floats within it, sparking a wonderful idea for today’s session.
“Start with a partner not in your House then switch to whomever is on your left. Remember, killing will not be tolerated. Kyra, may I have a moment please?” I request, nodding to the space left of me.
She swallows a hardened lump, nervous–no–rattled, taken off guard at my request, noted by her veins dancing beneath her smooth skin. But she complies with a nod, looking back at Horus, who greets her with his smile and folded arms.
The distance between us isn’t vast, but time seems to enjoy her in motion, slowing down and allowing me to observe the smallest details. Like how the space between her eyebrow’s creases when she is in thought. Or how her small hands form a fist when she doesn’t know what to do with them.
Odd doesn’t scratch the surface of who Kyra is, and if it takes a millennia to read every word, in every paragraph, on every page of her life’s book, I will, to understand her.
“Hey, Alex. I wasn’t expecting you today.” Placing her hands to the front of her buttoned vest, she peers up beneath those perfectly curled lashes.
“Does it bother you that I’m here?”
“N–No, not at all.” Her brows scrunch. “It’s always good seeing you, but I know you’re busy with…whatever important things you do.”
“I’ll never be too busy for you, Kyra. You have my full attention, and as such, I’m going to ensure not a minute of it is wasted while in your presence.”
Her head shifts down, releasing a slow breath, and my natural order dives into her fragrance. The thrumming beat within her chest spikes, and I can’t help but pull a subtle smile. This little ball of energy has something fierce within her, aching for a release. If the ruins are right, she will one day become a being unlike anything this world has witnessed.
“It’s something I’d like to try, but I need to know you trust me.” Taking a step closer, I force her eyes back upon mine, and she nods “yes” whilst fidgeting her thumbs. “Good. Now change into your workout attire. I’d rather not stain these floors with the blood of those gazing beneath your skirt.”
Kyra peers down as if she had forgotten her outfit of choice, then steps around, keeping my back to hers in case of a mishap. Warmth brushes my neck, following a shimmer of red and two gentle taps upon my shoulder.
“Better?” she asks, draped in onyx tights with a matching, fitted shirt, and her ‘passion twists’ in a full bun.
“Perfect as always. Are you ready?” She nods, and the flames behind her eyes ignite. I turn and address the room, my voice projecting over the masses. “Silence, everyone.” Those attending look my way. “Angie and Alise shall monitor your combat skills in preparation for future missions. Obey their commands, or face their wrath. You may begin, and Horus, can you join me over here?”
“Sure thing,” he announces, trotting over as students form in pairs, flinging magic whilst engaging in combat.
I wait for him to arrive and waste no more time going over the plan. “The two of us will match off against you, Kyra, and I’ll assess your abilities after.” Horus leans back in laughter whilst her mouth gapes in shock. “I have faith you’ll do fine.”
“Like hell I will. Do you not remember last night when you damn near had me crawling out of this place? And now you expect me to take on both of y’all? Not to mention I’m unaware of all of his abilities,” she grumbles, taking both of us in.
“You’re cautious, which proves my reason for today’s method. Trust our sessions. I wouldn’t make this request if I felt you weren’t ready.”
“And you’re fine with this, Russ?” she asks in a more rhetorical tone.
“Sounds fair to me. I’ve heard rumors of your explosive methods. Let’s see how deep them claws can scratch,” he voices, renderingbumps across her neck from his reduced pitch. She is intrigued, but not willing to admit it–or is there something more I’m missing.
“Fine, but don’t go crying if my claws dig a little deep.” Kyra’s expression darkens as her aura waves around us. She will take this seriously, and I for one can’t wait to witness Horus kneel beneath her shoe.
“I’m not expecting anything less. Show me how far you’ve come.”
“Be careful what you ask for. And Alex…” She steps closer, her small feet pattering over the marble. “You’re forbidden from using all your gifts. You might be surprised at what mine will do in return.” She grins, an ominous presence dancing over her skin, and I relish in its sensation. Dark, light, cold, and heat, all blending inside her veins to create one delicious drink, stimulating my fangs with a graceful stroke.
“Understood.”
Has she found a way to know of my vampire order? How?
Standing side by side, I watch her gaze wash over us before stepping off towards an open area. Halting and looking over her shoulder, she mocks, “Well, the clock’s ticking ‘magic boys.’ Let’s see what you got.”
