They all freeze and gaze at me in horror before quickly shutting that idea down.
“No way Aly Kat, we would be mortal enemies, not mates!” Jay says.
“It’s not possible, there has never been a mating between hunters and anyone else. I don’t even think they do mate,” Jax reasons.
“You wouldn’t be able to sit here calmly in the same room as us if you were, baby, don’t worry,” Kiran adds.
Jeremy just nods his head in agreement like there’s nothing more to possibly say.
“There’s no chance, so don’t let that worry I can feel, spread. It’s not possible but we will find out what you are. So let’s start doing just that,” Nic commands.
We all grab a book and start looking. The guys move much faster than me, as I’m sure they already know all this. But for me, it’s all new and I can’t help getting side tracked by all the information. I’ll have to read all of these over time to help me catch up and understand the guys and what they are better.
We work for hours without finding anything and eventually call it a night, promising to keep looking.
It’s disappointing we didn’t make any progress but I know the guys won’t give up and neither will I. It’s important we learn what I am for both my sake and theirs. If I don’t know what my powers are, I could be putting them in danger and that’s unacceptable to me.
* * *
“Okay, it’s time to go over some basics, you don’t have any training in self defense right?” Nic asks.
All of us are gathered in their basement gym for my lesson in self defense. The guys are adamant that I learn how to defend myself in case they’re ever not around.
“Right,” I respond.
“Okay, so let’s start with weak points. If you need to defend yourself you start by aiming for their eyes, nose, throat, groin or knees. Okay?” he asks.
“Yes, got it.”
“Okay, so start by hitting me in one of those areas,” he directs.
I’m not sure where to start but the knees feel like an ideal place. Instead of the awkward move I’m planning, I perfectly execute a move that gets Nic down on the mat.
“Whoa!” Kiran shouts.
“Uh, I thought you said you’ve never trained in self defense? That was a really advanced move Aly,” Jay points out.
I look up at them from where I’m staring at Nic on the mat with horror on my face.
“I haven’t, it just happened. It was like my body knew how to do it, even though my mind didn’t.”
I put my hand out to help Nic up, “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
He gets up and pulls me into a hug, “nothing to be sorry about. It seems you naturally have a gift here or someone has trained you and spelled you to forget.”
“Again,” Jeremy adds dryly.
We run through some more exercises and I’m incredible, I hold my own against two of the guys at once. Without them using their power of course. When they ask me to describe the move or how to execute it, I can’t. I can only do it, not consciously think about it.
“Do you guys think my parents have something to do with this?” I ask.
They all share a look before all eyes turn to Nic.
“Yes, we do. I’m sorry Aly,” he responds.
And even though I’m not close with them, they’re still my parents. It feels like a betrayal if they’re behind all of this.
“Should I ask them?” I ask, hesitantly.
