Page 79 of Commanding Flame and Shield
As if on cue, the energy shifted, and Ally materialized by the portal, hair swept back into a smooth ponytail, braids keeping the sides tight to her head. She flashed a broad smile as the room’s attention landed on her, both hands on the backs of two men—blatant athletes, and both looking confused as fuck. She gave them a gentle shove forward as she strode between them, her attention on Aren, who rose, grinning.
“That's two more before my coffee,” she said sweetly. “Surprised you boys even bothered getting out of bed this morning,” she added with a wink back at our table. Aren stifled a laugh, stepping forward to introduce himself to the newcomers. When Alvara turned to the room—most of whom at least had the decency to pretend they were no longer watching—she made a b-line for Ansel, whose eyes had narrowed.
By the time she reached us, he had a rolled up twenty in his hand, and she snatched it before collapsing into the chair beside Alec, as he nonchalantly leaned over with a bill of his own, tucking it in the strap of her tank top. Fae and Lana both snorted into their mugs as Alvara leaned back and balanced in her chair. For a flash, her smile radiated over me, but as I met that striking gaze, those emeralds hardened. She diverted her attention to the mug on the table.
Coffee drained, Alvara cleared her throat, and turned to Fae and Lana beside me, as though I didn't exist. “Ladies, I've got another soul in Montana. You down for a hunt?” The girls wordlessly set down their coffees, and rose in a smooth, synchronized motion, before flanking Ally on either side as she headed back into the portal.
A throat cleared. “What the fuck did youdo, Rookie?” It was Ansel that growled the question, his wide eyes glued to where the girls had just vanished.
“Nothing,” I muttered, abandoning my breakfast and leaning back.
“Yet,” Alec corrected, glaring pointedly my direction.
"Yeah," I sighed, rubbing at the ache in my temples between a thumb and forefinger. "Yet, I guess.”
Ansel released a slow sigh, rubbing his jaw quizzically. Aren whistled, catching his attention, and bringing him to his feet in the same breath.
“Hang in there, kid. She’ll come around.” He rounded the end of our table and shocked the living hell out of me when he squeezed my shoulder. “Once she figures out how to save you.”
The days went by, and the ice queen stayed. Running and weight training, yoga and stretching, calisthenics and sword play, Alvara hit me with all manner of endless drills that left no room for conversation, until one morning, I could finish the run without puking. I saw the energy shift in her eyes.
Alvara began our usual cool down walk back around the broad courtyard, and I realized with a bit of shock, that the hard surface below our feet was composed of iridescent cobblestones. I'd never bothered to notice what the ground was built of.
Lungs screaming in protest, my inhales slowed, in through my nose, and released through my mouth. Slowly, everything steadied, save for my shaking muscles. A phantom breeze licked at my skin, cooling the sweat, and I realized I’d never noted a wind through the windows of Grayshell. Was Ally bending the air to cool me off?
Regardless, it filled me with gratitude. We walked silently for a moment, my heart aching for the ease and chemistry we'd had before that goddamned vision. Fuck it, this was ridiculous. Before I could open my mouth to confront the distance she'd wedged between us after Halloween, Alvara whirled on me, hand on the door handle.
“Aren and Ansel will begin training you for combat, although you will spar with each of us to get exposed to different fighting styles. The Renown will fight much more fluidly than the humans you remember—more like us. So, it’s good to learn how to anticipate their movements.”
Alvara pursed her lips, the shadows from the looming list of unknowns still playing in her eyes.
“Good luck, today.” She chewed on her bottom lip, and I couldn’t help but track the movement. "Aren does not pull punches. You want to dodge his blows. He’s big, but he doesn’t tire easy. Don’t be fooled by his healing time—he will still give me a run for my money. Study Ansel’s movements, but know he rarely dodges the same way twice. If you detect any pattern, seize it. It will thrill him, but also push you. He’s a good fighter. Alec and Aren will also continue to tackle a lot of your elemental practice. I will…observe. And see if we can change your threads.”
She opened the great wood door to the castle and motioned for me to enter.
“Alvara?”
Her piercing eyes drilled holes in mine.
“Thank you.” I bowed my head. Her lips were a tight line, but the edges quirked, and she returned the nod.
“Kick some ass, Mr. Porter.”
THIRTY-TWO
PLAY
AUGUST
The ground came hard and fast, and my face slammed against it with a painful crack.Everythingwas pain as I tried to suck down air. Any air. He was immediately moving for me, and my screaming muscles pushed against the ground. The shaking was unavoidable. As my feet staggered beneath my weight, the next blow struck. Again, I found myself on the ground, this time staring up at the endless stretch of white abyss. Gasping, spluttering for air.
“Get up!” The Commander demanded, tone equal parts barked order and amusement. My head was throbbing, ribs still aching, as I tried to force air back into my lungs. Finally, choking, the oxygen made its way inside. I gulped it down. One, two, three desperate breaths. “Come on, kid, you'd be dead already,” Aren growled. Obediently, I forced myself back onto my legs and raised my guard.
“Advance!” He bellowed, broad shoulders pulled back, arms loose at his sides, predator's gaze locked on my struggling form.
I did. Only, before my punch had even extended, the great man parried and struck. The blow brought stars to my eyes, the world growing dim as my ears rang. Fuck, he could kill me in one bloody strike.
“Move, August! Move your feet!” Alvara. Alvara, still watching like a prowling lion, pacing the edge of the ring. Still cheering for me.
