Page 44 of Shattered Veil
I stride down the corridor, my boots clomping loudly.
“Look, I’m just training her for the Harrowing,” I say, more to convince myself than Callen.“That’s it.”
“Sure, sure.” Callen’s tone drips with sarcasm.
I clench my jaw, resisting the urge to punch him.“Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
He shrugs, nonchalant as ever.“Not really. Watching you squirm is far more entertaining.”
“She’s dangerous.”
“So are we,” he counters.“It’s kind of the name of the supernatural game, friend.”
But this is different. Brigid is different.
“Just... stop talking about it,” I say, quickening my pace.
Tomorrow’s training session will no doubt be a minefield. How the fuck am I supposed to keep my hands off her while teaching her to fight? The thought of her body…
Fuck.
Chapter Nineteen
Brigid
I slip through the shadows at the forest’s edge, my heart thundering. Lochan stands like a statue among the trees, his broad shoulders taut. As I approach, moonlight catches his dark eyes, unreadable and intense.
“You’re late,” he barks.
“By two minutes,” I snap back, bristling at his tone.
Lochan’s jaw clenches.“Every second counts. Now, show me your defensive stance.”
Alright then. Getting right to it. Fine by me. I don’t think Lochan even knows what small talk is.
I shift my feet, raising my hands. Lochan circles me, gaze raking over my form. I can feel the warmth of his skin in the cold night air.
“Wider,” he commands, kicking my feet apart. His rough hands grip my hips, adjusting my posture. Heat blooms where he touches me.
“Like this?” I’m acutely aware of his body behind me as I breathe.
“Better,” Lochan murmurs, his breath on my neck.“Now, block my strike.”
He moves lightning-fast. I barely deflect his blow, stumbling backwards.
“Again,” Lochan barks.“Focus, Brigid.”
We go through drills, our bodies in constant motion. Sweat covers my skin as I struggle to keep up with Lochan’s relentless pace. His movements flow with the practiced skill of the fighter he is, and I’m overwhelmed by how good he is at all of this. I’ve seen his strength and ability to fight a couple of times now, and it’s still impressive. He’s a born and bred warrior.
I’m torn between concentrating on his instructions and drinking in every detail of him—the curve of his biceps, the set of his jaw, even the dang glower in his eyes.
“Dammit, pay attention!” Lochan snaps as I miss a block. His fingers dig into my arms, pulling me close.“What’s distracting you?”
I glare up at him, pulse racing from exertion and his touch.“Nothing.”
Fucking stupid mate bond. Nobody asked for you.
I try to focus, but the shadow magic pulses beneath my skin, feeling my emotions.
