Page 51 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
"I won't break anything important."
Carol moved to stand beside Lokan as the others cleared a space for the two combatants. "Was this your idea?" he asked quietly.
"Not at all. It was all Kian."
"He truly thinks the ritual will make a difference?"
"It can't hurt." Carol shrugged. "The ceremony creates a bond between the initiator and the initiate. Perhaps the psychology of it matters as much as the physicality."
Lokan watched as Anandur and Jeremy circled each other, the Guardian moving with deliberate slowness to let the human track him.
"You know, the key to a good fight is not thinking too much," Anandur said conversationally as they moved. "Jeremy, my friend, you're thinking so hard I can hear the gears grinding from here."
"Hard not to think about my upcoming demise when someone your size is about to attack me," Jeremy replied.
"I'm not attacking. I'm initiating. That's a completely different thing." Anandur feinted left, and Jeremy jerked back. "See? You're anticipating. Don't anticipate. React."
"Easy for you to say."
"Actually, it took me about two hundred years to learn that lesson, so no, not easy at all."
The exchange continued, Anandur keeping up a steady stream of instruction and encouragement while gradually increasing thepace. Jeremy was sweating, breathing hard, but there was a determination in his eyes that hadn't been there during the first attempt.
Anandur finally made his move, a lightning-fast grab that caught Jeremy's arm. They went down in a controlled fall, Anandur's fangs extending as he bit down on Jeremy's neck.
Jeremy gasped but didn't cry out, his body going rigid as the venom entered his system.
"Well done," Anandur said as he released the guy. "He took that like a champ."
"Did it work?" Naomi rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside Jeremy.
"We won't know for a few days," Kian said.
"My turn?" Spencer asked.
Kian nodded and lifted the wine bottle again. "Who volunteers to be Spencer's initiator?"
"I do," Brundar said, stepping forward.
"Spencer," Kian continued after refilling everyone's cups. "Do you accept Guardian Brundar as your initiator? As your mentor and protector, to honor him with your friendship, your respect, and your loyalty from this day forward?"
Spencer studied Brundar for a long moment. Where others might have been intimidated by the Guardian's silence and intensity, Spencer seemed to appreciate it. "I do."
"Does anyone object to Spencer becoming Brundar's protégé?"
Again, supportive silence.
"Then we toast. To Spencer and Brundar."
The contrast between the two sparring pairs couldn't have been more pronounced. Where Anandur had been vocal and encouraging, Brundar was silent and intense. But Spencer seemed to understand the Guardian's style, matching his quiet focus with equal concentration.
They moved like dancers who'd rehearsed together, despite this being their first real encounter. Spencer, like everyone else in the government paranormal program, had military training, and it showed in the way he moved and his ability to read Brundar's intentions.
When Brundar struck, it was swift and precise. Spencer's jaw clenched as Brundar's fangs pierced his skin, but he didn't cry out.
Once he was taken off the mat, Kian turned to Dylan. "Lokan has volunteered to be your initiator again. Do you accept him as your mentor and protector, to honor him with your friendship, respect, and loyalty?"
Dylan met Lokan's eyes, and Lokan saw his own uncertainty reflected there. But then Dylan nodded. "I do."
