Page 65 of The Firebrand
“Hmm.” The female opened the small refrigerator in the corner and removed a package. She handed it off to Rein. “The human would be sweeter.”
“Sometimes sweeter isn’t safer.” He slit the bag and gulped down the fluid. As the blood hastened to every artery and muscle in his body, the knotted cords in his neck loosened. His eyes cleared, and his shoulders relaxed. He was ready to face Brae again.
****
Ratherthan interrupt, Rein waited in the shadows as Braelyn nodded at Sabine’s words. The nymph had a hand on the Earther’s back, doling out instructions while Jezzi and Galena observed from the sidelines.
Braelyn massaged her shoulder as if it hurt. Then she loaded a wrist sheath with spikes before she strode to the shooting line. With her right foot behind her left, she balanced weight on the ball of her forward foot. Her knees were loose and flexible. She held the body of the spike against the fleshy part of her palm with the tip along her middle finger. After she straightened, she swung her arm upward. While shifting her weight, she flicked the weapon, releasing the projectile. The movement was fluid, her aim spot-on. The target was a slice of tree trunk with a faded, well-punctured red heart in the center. She repeated with the other spikes.
Good form. Perfect eye.
Next, she withdrew a double-edge throwing knife from a chest harness. Using a pinch grip with the lightweight weapon, she aligned her body as she had with the spikes and snap-threw the blades. Again, she hit the mark. Every time. No wobble. No float.
Because Braelyn struggled to remove the weapons from the trunk, Rein figured they had penetrated deep. Not only was her aim true, but her throwing arm was strong.
She’s a paradox. Human but…
After watching her hit the bullseye for about ten minutes, Rein motioned Sabine aside when Braelyn went into the locker room to dress. “How’s it going?” He waited for the nymph’s take, not putting words in her mouth.
“Since her mat work is not spectacular, I taught her a few defensive moves that could come in handy. She is seriously outgunned against our kind but strong for a female Earther.” Sabine cocked her head to the side. “Oddly strong, given her scrawny arms.”
Rein wiped a hand across his jaw. “I thought so, too. Though surprise was her greatest asset against Jax, she put punch into her moves.”
“Here’s the big wow. She’s a superstar with throwing knives and spikes. Dead nuts on with her aim. You’d think she was a baby ylve. She says she’s never done anything like this before. Hard to believe.”
“Yeah.”
Sabine shrugged. “I’ll work with her if you want. In the meantime, I suggest you weaponize her.”
“Thanks.”
Sabine packed up her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and tapped Braelyn on her arm when she ventured from the locker room. “I’m at the gym every day unless on assignment. I’d be happy to train with you again.”
“Us, too,” chimed in Jez and Galena.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be around, but I might take you up on the offer. Thanks.”
Before the three headed out, Braelyn called out to Sabine. “I need clothes and stuff. Toothbrush, a bra, panties, and a few outfits. Conservative, though. Nothing like what I’m wearing. I had to borrow this. Not my style.”
Sabine eyed her up and down like a seamstress taking measurements.
“I have sneakers at Rein’s. That’s all.” She blushed when Sabine snickered. “It’s not what you think.”
Sabine was about to let loose with some smart-ass comment, but bit her tongue when Rein growled. “Sure. Be happy to pick up a few things.”
“If it’s no trouble.”
“Glad to help.” Sabine threw a hand into the air. “Okay, we’re outta here.”
The three females chuckled all the way out the door, high-fiving each other like gossiping schoolgirls.
Fucking Firebrands with noses where they don’t belong.
When the warriors disappeared, Braelyn spun toward Rein. “Want to see me throw? Go stand by the target. I bet I can hit your heart now that I know you have one.”
“That hurts, Brae.”
“Yeah. You’re all teary-eyed. By the way, I have a question. Do all breeds have hearts in the same place we do? Necessary little factoid.”
