by Nicole Hall
“Time to go?”
She smiled. “Time to help. I need you to come up here so I can demonstrate the proper way to dislocate your arm.”
He got up and stretched. “Well, when you put it that way, how could I say no?”
Zee felt Ryan’s eyes on her as Jake followed her back to the center mat. Of course he was paying attention now, when she needed to concentrate on not actually hurting Jake. A benefit to teaching Fae that she didn’t have among the humans was that if she accidentally injured one of her own people, they were in the middle of a group of healers. Here, there’d be a lot more paperwork, and questions.
She whistled once to get people’s attention, then began the second half of the class.
“Jake has kindly agreed to partner me for this section. You’ll notice each pair of you has a size discrepancy. For this series, I’ll give instructions to the larger individual, then the smaller, then we’ll practice the move.”
One of the teenage boys raised his hand. “Is the bigger person going to get to practice?”
Zee smiled. He was lean, but tall, and paired with a tiny woman twice his age. “Of course. After a few iterations, we’ll switch the pairs in the group and the bigger people can practice on each other. Like I said at the beginning, it’s rare for someone to have to defend against a smaller enemy. Size alone is the best deterrent.”
The boy nodded, and Zee made sure everyone else was paying attention. Mr. Hogan, who was working with Sera, still looked like he might puke, but the rest were eager to start.
“We’ll begin with escaping a wrist grab.” She faced Jake and relaxed her shoulders. “I want you to grab my left wrist with your right hand. I’m going to squeeze and twist. Don’t fight the motion for now.” She made eye contact with several of the larger people in the class. “That goes for everyone. When they twist your wrist, go with the motion to avoid getting hurt. We’ll work up to a strength match later. For now, we’re teaching our bodies what the move feels like.”
Zee nodded at Jake, and he grabbed her wrist as instructed. “First, you tuck your elbow into your side and pull your arm up so your palm is facing you. His hand is now underneath mine and bent back.” She demonstrated a few times and most of them mimicked her movements. Good, they needed to internalize the action to make it the most useful. “Next, you use your other hand to secure the position by placing it around their wrist, palm facing you.” Again, she showed them a few times to be sure everyone saw it.
“Here’s the fun part. Keep your elbow tucked in, and squeeze with that free hand. You’re going to rotate their wrist outward by turning your hips. Don’t move your elbow, you’ll lose your strength. Turn your hips and look in that direction.” She swiveled, and Jake took an involuntary step forward, losing his grip on her wrist. Zee was holding Jake’s arm, and he was bent at an awkward angle. She held the pose for a second because people loved drama, then let him loose.
Everyone applauded, and Zee tried not to blush. It was a simple wrist grab, but they acted like she’d done something amazing. Humans were strange. She showed them a couple more times, both slow and at full speed. No one had any questions, so she had them pair up and start practicing.
Jake headed back to the bleachers, and Zee observed and corrected as needed. Walking around, she could separate those eager to learn from those who’d come out of curiosity. All of them were doing their best, but for some, their best was more intense than others. Sera, especially, was putting her whole body into the movement. She wasn’t trying to break her partner’s hold; she was trying to break his wrist.
Inside, Zee was proud of her. There was no point in learning self-defense if they were too skittish to make the moves count. Unfortunately, Mr. Hogan was one of the curious ones.
Zee approached them as Sera performed the move and her partner winced. “Okay, Sera. That’s good, but Mr. Hogan looks like he could use a break.”
“I think you’re right. Sera, do you mind if I bow out? I’m afraid I might be too old to be a warrior princess.” He massaged his wrist as he spoke.
Sera patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Hogan. You did great. Why don't you go sit by Jake, he's got the packages of gummy dinosaurs we’re going to pass out after class.”
But Zee waved Jake over from the stands. “Sera needs a new partner.” Jake grinned, and Zee left to check on the other groups. He’d probably be regretting that grin shortly.
They practiced the wrist grab, switched aggressors so the second half could try it, and worked on the same move with the opposite hand. Zee used Jake to demonstrate again, then sent him back to the vicious Sera, if Jake’s grumbling was to be believed.
Five minutes before the scheduled end of class, Zee was doing the final debriefing. Almost all the people who’d come had stayed to the end, even Mr. Hogan was still sitting on the bleachers, though he never came back down to participate. She had an odd sense of accomplishment looking over the sweating, smiling people. This wasn’t her first training class, but it was the first time the class had been optional for the people taking it. She finished the way she always had, asking if there were any questions.
Sera raised her hand. “Can you show us what these moves would look like in the real world?”
Zee considered it, but didn’t think she could make it work. She’d need a partner who knew how to spar or it would be a quick match. She shook her head and opened her mouth to answer, but Ryan interrupted first.
“I can help.”
He’d come closer while she hadn’t been paying attention, so Zee sized him up. She’d seen him spar with some of her people before, and she knew he was in good shape. Most of the participants had already moved to sit in the bleachers while she talked, and they watched her and Ryan with interest. If she agreed, they’d be more likely to return for the next class, and they’d probably bring more people. When did I start wanting to do another class? Sera started passing out little clear bags of snacks. Probably the gummy dinosaurs she’d mentioned earlier.
Zee nodded. “Very well. Ryan and I will demonstrate the moves you worked on tonight.” She raised a brow. “If he can move in those jeans.” Scattered laughter and calls of encouragement came from the audience.
A slow grin spread across Ryan’s face. “Try me, princess.”
8
ZEE
A thrill of anticipation went through Zee. She hadn’t had a good training session since she’d left the Glade to defend it against Torix, and Ryan was competent. Then there was the added bonus of having a valid excuse to touch him. Despite all the reasons she shouldn’t let him close, she wanted his hands on her.
Ryan toed his shoes off, and they faced each other on the mat. The chatter from the people watching quieted to a low hush. Zee pushed the gym, the class, and the people out of her mind. She focused solely on Ryan and her training.
Their eyes met, and the fire there told her he was looking forward to this as much as she was. She nodded, and they began circling each other. Neither dropped into a defensive stance per se, but they were both ready to move at a moment’s notice. Ryan shifted his weight slightly, and Zee decided to let him grab her. She needed to demonstrate some of the moves before having her fun.
He shot forward, and she left an arm within his reach. As she’d planned, he grabbed her wrist, and she was able to break the hold in the way she’d shown the class. Instead of letting go as they’d been doing, she used his momentum to wrench his arm around and up behind his back. A few of the spectators clapped, but Ryan quickly broke free and tried to grab her legs.
Zee moved back, but not fast enough. He got a hold on one ankle and pulled her off-balance. Instead of toppling to the ground, she jumped and kicked him in the chest hard enough for him to release her other foot, which she landed on. Ryan stumbled back a few steps, then closed in again.
They were within reach of each other, but both were breathing hard and circling. She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face. The class was muttering, but
Zee shut them out. Ryan was faster than she remembered, and she didn’t want to miss his tell.
He shifted his weight again and advanced with a strike at her face. She blocked, but he slid one hand behind her neck to keep them locked together. Her hand wrapped around his wrist intending to break his grip her neck, but he’d slid his free arm around her waist and yanked her forward. She braced herself against his shoulder, but he’d already twisted his hips. Too late, she realized his plan.
Zee went flying past his hip and onto her back on the mat. That hadn’t been a free shot; he’d done it all on his own. His hand behind her neck had shifted to her head and cushioned her fall as he followed her down.
He dropped his full weight on top of her, sliding a leg between hers and pulling her arms straight above her head. In any other setting, she’d be moaning. As it was, she had to bite her lip from making inappropriate noises. He was hard against her thigh, and she thoroughly enjoyed the pressure while it was there. His hair tickled her cheek as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"It's not a competition, but I'm winning."
Zee made a husky, non-committal noise and pushed up hard to the side with her hips. Ryan rolled with it, but she was able to break his wrist hold again while they moved. She found her footing and spun around him, holding onto his arm with both hands. His shoulder ended up between her thighs, with one calf wrapped around his neck. It only took a second of painful pressure on his arm for him to concede.
“You win. Let go.”
Zee released him and stood, then offered her hand to him. The entire group burst into applause. Ryan jumped up, but didn’t let go. He raised their hands and then brought them both down in a bow. Zee inclined her head, then gasped when Ryan’s thumb trailed across her palm in a lazy caress. A ribbon of heat pulled taut between her hand and core, but they were literally standing in front of an audience.
Zee drew herself up into instructor mode. “Thank you, everyone, for coming. Remember that this was simply the beginning of what you can learn to defend yourself.”
“Will there be another class?” She couldn’t see who’d shouted it, but it’d sounded like one of the teenage boys. Sera sent her a questioning look.
“I’ll be glad to teach another class if the gym is available and I’m still in town. Sera can keep you updated.”
Someone muttered for Ryan to give her a reason to stay, but again, she couldn’t pinpoint the voice. It had sounded suspiciously like Jake.
Ryan pulled her toward the door. “The secretary said to leave everything here and the gym kids would clean it up in the morning. The doors will lock automatically after us.”
“We should make sure everyone else is gone first.”
“We will.” Most of the others were ahead of them, but a few stragglers were chatting by the mats. Ryan led her past the edge of the bleachers but then ducked sideways into the shadows. He backed her against the wall, grabbing her other hand, and Zee found herself hidden by his body in the alcove under the stands. Their joined hands curled behind her, and he pulled her flush against him. Scorching excitement burst forth with a ragged breath, and she had to lock her knees to keep from melting into him.
“I could make you let me go,” she said.
“I know, but you won’t.” He whispered it across her lips.
Zee waited for him to close the distance, and when he didn’t move, she did it for him. The kiss started out soft and sweet, but Zee didn’t want sweet. She wanted fire.
She pressed against him, her tongue sweeping across his lower lip, and his arms tightened around her. His head tilted, and he claimed her mouth fully. If she hadn’t kept her shields locked for the entire evening, she might have been prepared, but his energy pushed at her until she surrendered and let him in. His mouth plundered hers, and Zee arched against him. This was what she’d wanted since that night at Jake’s. Since the shower.
The room around them disappeared, and Zee lost herself in the waves of delicious need crashing into her through the bond. She’d have stayed there all night, but the sound of the door slamming closed penetrated her fog. She tore her mouth away and tried to catch her breath. Ryan rested his forehead against hers and recovered a smidge faster.
“We really should head out now.” His voice was rough, and he didn’t move.
He was right, but Zee wasn’t entirely sure she could walk straight. Judging by the feel of him pressed against her hip, he definitely couldn’t. Their shields were down, and this kiss felt different than the last. He wasn’t fighting his reactions.
Zee extricated herself gently and leaned against the wall. The coolness of the plaster seeped into her and slowly calmed her racing blood. “What changed?”
Ryan didn’t pretend to misunderstand her, but with both of them open, she knew the moment he chose not to answer her. He shrugged one shoulder then winced. “That was a nice armbar. I wasn’t expecting it.”
“If you’d been expecting it, it wouldn’t have worked. You shift your weight in a particular way when you’re about to attack. I can help you with that if you’d like.”
He rubbed his shoulder and shook his head. “Maybe next time. All I want right now is a hot shower and some pita chips. Sparring with you was fun, but I’m not planning to enter any competitions or anything.” He gestured toward the door with his good arm. “After you.”
Zee pushed off the wall and preceded him out of the gym. She didn’t think she’d had pita chips yet. The air crackled between them as they approached the car. Ryan walked next to her, and there was a magnetic pull every time his arm brushed hers. She wanted to pick up where they’d left off, but he hadn’t mentioned her in his plans for the night.
“What are pita chips?”
“Like potato chips but made with pita bread instead, imagine the love child between a cracker and a chip.”
Zee settled into silence. The disparity between the intense longing she was getting from the bond and the bland conversation they were having was confusing. She wasn’t sure what to say. They stopped on opposite sides of the car, and Ryan met her eyes.
“I’d love to finish what we started, but I have another responsibility tonight.” He frowned, but she could sense he wouldn’t compromise his plans. Whatever they were. He must have noticed her confusion because he shot her a wry grin. “It’s raid night.”
Zee tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile. She knew what that meant. Chad was on the verge of ineptitude because he put all his effort into playing video games instead of his duties with the Fae. Many of her people played games, but Chad was the only one she knew of who had a raid night. Now that she thought about it, his was the same night.
She narrowed her eyes. “Do you play with Chad?”
A laugh burst out of Ryan, and it dissolved some of the tension. “You sound so disapproving. Yeah, Chad and I used to play together, but he’s hardcore so he left our group for a tougher one.”
“Has he been playing in the last month?”
Ryan stilled as he thought about it. “I’m not sure. We don’t hang out much anymore, so I don’t track his comings and goings. I don’t think so, though.”
Zee deflated a little. She’d hoped they’d stumbled on a way to contact someone in the Glade, even if it was Chad. “Can you check tonight?”
“Of course.”
They got into the car, and Zee stared out the window. Her body demanded she convince him she was worth skipping raid night, but she respected the act of showing up when other people were depending on it. Especially with a pastime many considered trivial. Chad could benefit from applying that lesson to other aspects of his life.
Ryan turned on the radio, but it didn’t mask the electric current running between them. She had goosebumps all over. Unlike the last few times, when the kissing had stopped, Ryan hadn’t immediately retreated behind his shields. Something must have happened during class that had made Ryan open himself up to her and stay that way. While she was curious what had changed his mind, she was happy enough to sim
ply accept the benefit. Maybe all it took was a hip throw and an armbar to convince him that their connection was real.
Neither spoke for the rest of the ride, but Zee could feel that he was torn between her and his friends online. She was less torn, but there was a deep-seated fear that if she gave in, he’d expect more of her than she was able to give. It was probably for the best that they both had other pursuits to occupy them at home.
Zee followed him into the apartment, then hesitated. It seemed rude to withdraw to her room without acknowledging him, but she didn’t think it was a good idea to prolong the evening. In truth, she didn’t trust herself not to try and convince him to skip his raid.
When she roused from her thoughts, he was staring at her contemplatively. She wasn’t the only one reconsidering his plans for the evening.
“Are you going to go back to your research?” he asked.
Zee arched a brow. “Are you going to play your game?”
He laughed low and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah. I think I should, but I’m not hiding anymore. You and I are going to finish this eventually.”
“We’ll see.” She walked into her bedroom without looking back and closed the door. The bond ensured that she knew when he moved to stand on the other side of the flimsy wood. They stayed there, both aware of the other person, both regretting their decisions, until Zee pushed away. She’d work, as she’d said she would, and ignore his presence in the apartment and her mind. Ryan went to his room shortly after.
Zee’s lips curled in a small smile. They’d separated themselves physically, but the connection remained open and strong. It was a turning point, an acceptance, and she couldn’t wait for what it brought.
RYAN
Ryan didn’t see Zee nearly as much as he wanted until the last day of school before winter break. The difference was this time he wasn’t purposely avoiding her for three days. His classes were insane, and the administration decided that the second longest week of the school year was the perfect time to roll out a new policy that involved office time.
