Page 57 of Wolf Trap

Nathaniel’s voice was silky, “Right, now pick up the weapon and for now, just show us how you think you’d hold it. The safety’s on.”

I did. It felt way easier than the sword, though I didn’t have to use that again, thank the goddess. And, although I dreaded having to face Adara’s creepy place, at least with a gun I didn’t have to get too close to mutants.

In the firing lane before me, a target sprung up. I grinned. The cut-out was of an angry werewolf man, like something from a B-movie. Lycaon called from behind, “I hope I get something different to shoot at! I’m offended!”

Hakon jibbed, “Ah, they have vampire targets for you mate!”

Leaning into me, Lucius uttered, “Ok, now breathe steadily, and just flex your arm a little. You’ll get a kick back, so never hold your arm straight. Your legs are good though, a steady stance.”

He nodded at Nathaniel who took the gun from me, showing me. “Here, when you’re in battle, you’ll need the safety off but only when the time is right. You don’t want to accidentally blow your leg off, I mean, I’m not carrying you!” He laughed. It was the first time I’d seen him smile, and it was magnetic. No wonder Anthony stuck to him.

“Here.” He handed it back. “You can have a firmer grip than that, good. Now breathe a little, deep, good. A medium grip, that’s it, arms bent a little. Now look at your target, the big grisly wolfman, and gently squeeze the trigger.”

I did. I lunged back a little, though not as much as I’d thought I would and the bullet went, well, it didn’t hit the target. But it felt easier that I’d thought it would.

“Ok, you’re no John Wayne but your stance and trigger action are good. Again!”

Nathaniel left my side as Lucius guided me through, and each time it felt a little easier until I was finally hitting the target. Adrenaline coursed through me, I wanted more.

Putting the safety lock back on, I saw Nathaniel doing the same with Lycaon, adjusting Lycaon’s arms, and talking him through the process. More bullets were flying, I saw Austin, Anthony and Hakon all practising further down the firing lane.

“Do you want to take ten minutes and watch the others? You should, you’ve got sparring next.” Lucius laughed, flicking back his long raven hair.

“What?”

“We’re going to pit you against Austin, you should be worried. For a lazy looking mage, he’s actually very good. Don’t be fooled!”

“Oh my God! Ok. I’m going to freshen up then.”

After grabbing some water,I wandered back in to see Austin in the sparring ring leaping around with Lucius coaching him as he leapt up and kicked the air.

Austin and the others had stripped down to their jeans and T-shirts.

Barefooted, they stood around as Austin, jogging on the spot, fists up. And now I knew that wasn’t just for show. As Lycaon took a swing, he anticipated the mage and bent low, tapping Austin on the chin. Hakon giggled, “It’s not full contact, Elsa, that would end in a bloody mess, literally!”

For the next hour, I watched all of them take turns in touch contact sparring. Nathaniel was incredible, lithe and fast, like a panther. He always looked so chilled, and that didn’t change much as he fought. Leaping through the air, he glided over Lycaon, who anticipated that, but just reached out to tap him. Nathaniel spun over, landing crouching on his feet, his hand touching down as he did so.

Then it was my turn. Lucius taught me the basics, working with me to copy him as I learned the techniques of a front snap kick, a sidekick and a jumping kick. They didn’t show me how to somersault through the air, much to my disappointment but they also showed me how to punch.

Putting on a sparring helmet, Austin bent his legs before me, insisting that I punch him in the head. I did. He didn’t move, just chuckled, so I had to keep practising.

Then I had to demonstrate what I’d learned and they laughed, whispering who would be my strictest teacher. I thought it would be Lucius, but Nathaniel, who I guessed didn’t like me that much, stood forward.

“Elsa, kick or punch me, if you can.”

Puffing and shaking out my arms, I wiped the sweat from my face with the back of my arm. I wasn’t a fighter, and I realised about an hour before that I wasn’t fit like they were. Still, it was fun, if exhausting.

Narrowing his eyes, Nathaniel shook back his hair, his hands by his side as he watched me, a wry grin on his lips. He knew I couldn’t beat him. And he was right. But in a real situation, I’d use magic. Don’t do that here.

I edged forward, he didn’t move and even when jogging up to him, he stood there unmoving, unnerved and just shifted his body, bending like a stem in the breeze to avoid my fist. He laughed, grabbing my wrist. “Let’s take this up a notch. I’m going to attack you. Remember, it’s just touch contact, but I’m going todo it like it’s real. If you can move out of the way, well then you may have a chance.”

We bumped fists.

He was fast!

As I moved back, he was there, his knuckles touching my temple, he stepped back, twisting around. I moved back, but his legs were longer than I’d realised. Another tap from his foot on my hip.

Lycaon shouted, “Come on, Elsa! You’ve got this. Feel the energy, get into the flow.”

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