They all agree, so I tell Pierce I’ll go back to the girls' cabin with Adi and Dani-Jo to get ready. He heads off toward the men's cabin with Jace to do the same, and we all plan to meet up at the cafeteria.
Once the girls and I are all cleaned up, we start the hike up to the common area. I can’t seem to let go of the idea that Adi can apparently breathe underwater, and Dani-Jo can basically fly.
“Ummm Adi, Dani-Jo…either of y’all care to elaborate on your newfound abilities?” I ask, no longer able to resist.
Dani-Jo bounces up and down on the balls of her feet clapping her hands in excitement. “I know, right? I had no freaking clue I could sprout webbed wings! I was so scared when I fell, out of habit, I just outstretched my arms to catch myself. The next thing I knew, they appeared. It was so liberating, exciting, and frightening. I think I’m going to have to free fall from trees and jump off of cliffs more often.”
“Yeah, you free fall, and I’ll swim,” Adi laughs. “I was completely taken aback when I realized that I didn’t need to come up for air. I knew then, that was how I was going to escape Kage.” Looking at us sympathetically, she continues, “I’m so sorry I scared you. It was impulsive and selfish, and I won’t do it again.” Changing the subject, she turns toward me. “Though, Tova, I need to ask…what did you think you were going to accomplish by diving into and searching for me in the depths of that raging water?”
Mischievously, I let my lips curl up into a grin. “You know how cats are great at seeing in the dark?”
Both reply, “Yes.”
It takes a moment, but they gasp, stopping dead in their tracks and turning toward me they take in my stunning cat eyes that I’ve shifted them to.
Adi sputters, dumbfounded, “What the what? When? How?”
Dani-Jo teases, “Okay, cool cat, you’ve got a lot of explaining to do, and I don’t mean only your eyes. I want to know the story about how that ring has mysteriously found its way back on your finger.”
Feeling the heat creep up my neck, I rub at my nape and transition my eyes to normal then explain, “Uh, yeah, about that…that’s actually how I found out about my feline senses. Pierce went to get the ring out of his pocket. When I noticed it, my emotions got the best of me, my vision went haywire. Since then, I’ve been practicing changing my vision back and forth. I also have this keen ability to connect with wildlife. It’s so surreal.”
Throwing her head back laughing, Adi wisecracks, “See, was I right or was I right? I told you he was a good guy, Tova. I knew it from the get-go. I’m glad you’re going to tie the knot and not a slip knot like all your other ‘no strings attached relationships.’ With those guys, after you called it off, your heart didn’t miss a beat.”
She eyes me enviously before continuing, “But I’ll tell you one thing…Larson had better make it a romantic gesture when he gives me a promise ring.”
“You two have been together for a while now. When do you think he’ll do it?” Dani-Jo asks,
“Well, I know he wants to wait until he tests out of Protector training so he can have a steady income, and we can have our own cabin to ourselves. I mean, we talk about it, but he hasn’t hinted when or where he’ll do it,” Adi laments. “He’s already asked Mama for permission and Daddy for my hand. He doesn’t know I know, but Mama let it slip at dinner a few months ago. He didn’t tell her when just that it’d be after his testing.”
“Isn’t his testing time in the next month or so?” I ask, knowing it usually occurs only a few weeks after the newest batch of recruits make their Decisions.
“Why yes, it is!” She says in a high-pitched tone before skipping off ahead.
“He had better live up to her expectations. If he doesn’t…it’s going to be a miserable time for both of us. You know we’ll never hear the end of it,” Dani-Jo grumbles next to me.
“Oh, girl, I’m not about to have a miserable friend. I think this Friday at the bonfire, we take it upon ourselves to give Larson some pointers. What do you say?” I ask with a conspiratorial wink as I hold the door open for her.
“I say you’ve got yourself a deal,” she laughs, giving me a high-five as she passes.
Looking around the cafeteria, we see the guys have already positioned themselves at the table with a few extra seats waiting for us. We make our way through the line quickly, grabbing our food and heading to the table. Adi sits down next to Larson. Once seated, he leans over and presses a tender, affectionate kiss to the top of her head.
I sit down next to Pierce, and he possessively wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. Dani-Jo sits on the other side of me, next to Kage.
“Good to see you again, ladies,” Kage pipes up with a grin.
“Don’t lie. You can barely walk. Admit it,” I retort sarcastically.
Rubbing his sternum, he smirks, “Yeah, I’ll be sore for a few days, that’s for sure. You would have thought you were planning on taking out some sort of revenge on me for some odd reason.”
“Yeah, bro, she’s a badass,” Pierce quips, a grin tugging at his lips.
Rolling my eyes, I refuse to acknowledge Pierce’s comment in the current company. “Ha, ha. Revenge, payback, settling scores; whatever you want to call it…that was the goal,” I say with a smug smile. Shoulder bumping Dain-Jo, I gloat, “Goal achieved, and man does revenge taste sweet.”
“At this rate, you’ll all be going on your first hunt and barter trip in the next few weeks. Venison supplies are getting low anyway, so going early won’t be a bad idea.” Kage explains, almost hiding the begrudging acceptance in his tone. Almost.
Fear stricken, I stiffen my back and take a deep breath and what little bites I’ve ingested start to creep up the back of my throat. Pierce and Adi both pick up on my tension.
Adi mouths, “You okay?” While Pierce leans over and whispers, “I’ve got you, babe.”
Good thing, too, because I’m about to puke for fear of possibly running into Cladec out there. I know he could very well be dead, but I can’t be for sure. Oh gosh, my breaths are coming quickly, and I’m about to freak out.
Pierce places his hand on my thigh, “Babe, slow your breathing. Come on, I know you can do it. Take intentional breaths. Close your eyes: Inhale for four counts…hold your breath for four counts…exhale for four counts. Good job, love. Keep that rhythm up. Just know that you’re going to be more than prepared to defend yourself, and we’ll be there every step of the way. I won’t leave your side. I’ll die before I let anything happen to you.”
Now that my hyperventilating has ceased, I feel like I can function somewhat again. “Thank you, Pierce. I know you’d lay your life down for me, but that’s not what I want anyone to do or even think about doing because of that psychopath.” I swallow hard, not wanting to give voice to my fears.
Kage, having watched my turmoil unfold, must get the hint that I may not be as “ready” as he may have thought. He leans back behind Dani-Jo and asks me, “Everything okay? Is there something out there we need to be concerned about? Do you think someone really is out to kill you?”
Not wanting to discuss this in front of everyone, I just shake my head. I know I’ve got to tell him what we could be walking into out there. With all of the suspicious activity going on having me with them will put a giant target on their backs, too. But if I talk about it, I’ll lose my lunch right here and now. I’ll just have Pierce fill him in, or I may muster up the courage and tell him a little about the rage my father had in his eyes the day he was banished for abusing my mom and me. I just can’t make myself do it at this moment. Pierce sends his brother a silent warning, shaking his head with a meaningful stare to let him know we’re not having this discussion right now.
Needing to get out of here, I grab my tray with the rest of my untouched food and rise. Then the rest of the table does the same. I hate that I ruined their lunch, but I need to be outdoors, where the walls don’t seem like they’re crashing in on me, causing me to panic again.
I kn
ow what I need. I need to ride my horse. The horses are still at Pierce’s family's house, so we have to go get them and take them back to my mom’s anyway.
Once we are all standing outside, I hang my head, trying to hide the shame and panic on my face as I say, “Y’all, I’m so very sorry for freaking out in there. I wasn’t expecting Kage to think we’d be ready to go outside the wall any sooner than planned. I knew it was coming, but just not that fast. I know I have to get over the fear of going outside those walls but it’s just very close to the surface right now with everything else going on.”
I have no clue how to even begin to get over that deep-seated fear. Knowing there is nothing to be done right now, I change the subject. Stammering and stumbling over my words, “I… I have to get the horses from Pierce's house and get them home. I’ll miss the lecture this evening, but I’ll see y’all in the morning, okay?”
“Okay, but you know we’re here for you if you need us for anything,” Adi assures, pulling me into a tight hug.
“You always have been, and I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know.”
“You’ve always been the strong one. You have guts of steel; never forget that. I love you so much.” Taking hold of my shoulders, staring me straight in the eyes, Dani-Jo stresses, “You’re fearless; you just don’t know it. That’s what I always loved about you. I always thought, ‘If she will be my friend, if I can just be near that strength, maybe it’ll rub off on me.’ You’ve been a light to me my entire life. You’ll figure out how to overcome this panic. I know it.”
Not very sure of myself, I sigh, “Thank you. You’re right. I will. I just have to figure it out.”
Pierce enfolds me in his arms, wrapping them around my middle and tugging me close. He brushes his lips across my cheek as he assures, “We’ll figure it out together. Now let’s go get those horses.”
“Awe, you two are perfect for each other,” Adi coos.
I glance up at her and force a smile as Pierce threads his fingers with mine. Departing for Pierce’s parent's farm, we turn from the girls. We step toward the solid oaks that appear to be welcoming us with their arms waving us inward. For the first few minutes, we walk in silence. My mind is whirling in fifty million directions. I have no earthly idea what I need to do to conquer this fear.
Stopping my train of thought, Pierce interjects, “Baby, I see those wheels turning again. You know you don’t have to move that mountain by yourself. You’re not one to ask for help, but I’m going to help you. Come hell or high water, I’ll make sure you’re mentally and physically ready to go outside those walls before you ever step foot out there. We’ve worked aimlessly at mastering weapons, but we’ve only touched the surface on physical self-defense. I truly think if you feel you can stand on your own two feet, defending yourself, in the unlikely chance that you’re alone with Cladec, then your fears will subside somewhat. When we get back to your barn, would you like to kick my ass while learning how to defend yourself?”
Feeling more at peace, I can’t hold in a snicker and slant my eyes at him. “I’d like nothing better.”
His pearly whites greet me back. “I bet.”
28
Pierce
Back at Tova’s barn, we settle the horses into their stalls before I turn to her and ask, “Alright, babe, you ready to do this?”
Assuredly she takes a fighting stance. “Absolutely!”
“Alright, there are seven essential moves we’re going to practice. I’ll step through them with you and explain as I go. Then you can beat the crap out of me. Sound good? I’ll come from different angles, surprise attacks, and some full-on frontal attacks. The key for you…is to figure out which tactic will be most beneficial at escaping each one.”
I clear a space for our training in the middle of the barn before turning back to her. “Ready?”
“I was born ready!” Excitement gleams in her eyes.
Smooching her soft lips, I say, “I love your tenacity!”
I grab for her hand and bring her to the barn's center, the place I cleared for us.
Turning to face her, I begin, “First and foremost, always be sure of your awareness. You need to be completely cognizant of your environment. Minimize distractions as best you can. It’s important to ensure you can hear everything around you.” She nods in understanding and I begin to demonstrate, “The first move is a Hammer Strike. Using a stick or sharp object is one of the easiest ways to defend yourself. You can also use this move in a swinging motion. To perform it, hold your stick or sharp object like a jagged rock, or whatever you can find, in a tight fist, like holding a hammer, hold one arm in front of your chest. At the same time, you use your other hand to ‘hammer’ that object at the offender's face.”
Practicing this with various objects lying around the barn, she comes at me repeatedly until she feels confident.
“You picked that one up quickly. Let’s move on to the groin kick. This sounds simple for you, but please, go easy on me. Our future children are at stake, after all,” I joke nervously.
Still, after seeing her commitment with the last move, I am honestly more than a little worried about my poor, innocent manhood.
Smirking, she tilts her head. “Yes, love, I’ll go easy on you and the family jewels.”
“Thank you,” I say and kiss her forehead. “Now, suppose it’s a frontal attack. In that case, a groin strike could produce adequate strength to incapacitate the assailant, enabling you to get away. To best do this, steady yourself, so you don’t fall over, then hoist your right leg upward and drive your shin into the person’s nuts.” Demonstrating the move, I counter, “On the other hand, if he’s too close, use your knee instead.”
Pausing, I take a deep breath and brace myself for what comes next. “Okay, show me what you’ve got.”
I stalk toward her in my most aggressive posture; her eyes are fixed on mine. She crouches down, and no sooner do I get within three feet of her, her right foot nicks my nut-sack.
Damn it!
My vision goes blurry, and I’m on the ground rolling and clutching my groin protectively. Ugh, I can’t breathe. Coughing, “I thought you were going to go easy?”
Tova rushes to my side and drops down beside me, apologizing, “That was easy! I only lightly grazed you! I promise I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m so sorry, baby. Please forgive me.”
Heaving up to my knees and forearms, I groan. “It’s okay, babe, but if our kids come out with three eyes and four arms, it’s on you.”
“You knew what was coming. You could have protected yourself.” She helps me to a standing position.
Tilting my head from side to side, I sarcastically gabble, “Ha. Ha.”
Once I’m able to get my wits about me, we continue.
“All joking aside, the next maneuver is a hand-palm strike.” I explain, “The trick is to hurt the nose or esophagus. Be sure to be in front of the enemy. If you strike the cheek or forehead, that's okay too, but you want to hit the most vulnerable parts if you can.”
Grabbing her dominant hand, I help her through the move. “Take your right hand, bend at the wrist and aim for their face.” Holding her hand out, I move it in an upward thrusting motion. “Aim for either here or here.” Our hands aim at the middle of a pretend face or neck. “Ensure there’s enough force to snap their head backward but withdraw your hit promptly. You don’t want that person to grab your arm, trying to steady themselves, and then counter-attack. If you can’t get directly in front of them, you can always slam your open hands to both of their ears, causing pain and stupefying them.”
Practicing this over and over, Tova directs, “Okay, I think I’m comfortable with this. What’s next?”
“Babe, you’re doing great. I just want you to know that.”
She grins, then nods her acknowledgment. That’s my cue to keep going. “Okay, the next move is the elbow clash. Again, have a sturdy stance. For this move, your attacker is going to be very close to you, and he may even have you in a hold
. “Crook your arm, bend it at the elbow, and shift your body forward, smacking your elbow into their throat, mouth, eyes, or any weak area you can reach. If you’re in a hold, try this…raise your right elbow toward your shoulder. Swivel on your right foot and spin, hitting any part of their face with the back of your elbow.”
Having practiced that several times, Tova wipes sweat from her temple with the back of her hand. “I never knew learning to protect myself could be so exhilarating.”
“I’m so glad you’re adrenaline-charged and feeling better. The more we practice, the better you’ll get, and the less you will have to think about which move to use. The reaction will become second nature.”
“I’m getting a different mindset. The more I’m learning, the more I’m confident I can stand against, not only my sperm donor but anyone who tries to hurt me.” She widens her smile. “Show me more.” She motions for me to keep teaching, a new hunger in her eyes.
“You got it, babe. Next is escaping from a Bear Hug embrace.” I coach while crouching down, “You need to get low and create some space from the hug. For this move, bend headfirst at the stomach. Twist backward with your arm, allowing your elbow to strike the attacker, then twist to the other side and do it again. Keep doing this until his grip loosens, allowing you to rotate completely. As you’re facing the attacker, punch their face, and then sock his nards. Once he’s down, run.”
My gaze rakes over her slight frame, and I lose my train of thought, taking in her sweat-soaked figure as she moves effortlessly around the space. Damn, she’s hot!
Brandishing that thought, I refocus, “I’m going to come behind you, but please, for the love of God, go easy this time. Think of our future children.”
Putting her right hand on her hip, she sasses, “Babe, I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’ll go as easy as I can. I promise.”
I proceed with caution, shaking off the thought of getting injured again. “Okay, this next tactic is how to get away from a bear hug with your hands confined. When someone comes from behind and pins down your arms, this is the best thing to execute: Do not let the person’s arms go from your waist to your neck, putting you into a headlock. Twist your waist to one side. You should have enough room to punch them in the groin with your fist. Retrieve your hand while lifting the other elbow to turn into the grasp. Hold your arms snug to your torso as you’re rotating to face him. Continue to attack back until you’re released. Once you’re out of his grasp, knee him in the groin and side-kick him in the stomach with your shin. Then get away while he’s down.”
Protecting Tova (Iron Mountain Book 1) Page 16
