Page 106 of Stormbreaker

“You two over here,” she says, gesturing to a spot on the floor at her feet.

I open my mouth and hesitate. A piece of hair hangs in Rook’s face, and he tucks it back, almost like he’s opening himself up for a challenge.

“Let’s go!” Brooklyn says with a sharp clap. “We haven’t got all day.”

I nod and then quickly cross the room, stopping a few feet away from Rook.

He hunches over as his face spreads into a wicked grin. “Think you can handle me? I won’t go easy just because you’re a Society princess.”

“I’m not scared of you,” I retort, earning me another cocky smile. It’s partly true.

He rushes for me, but I’m ready. My training first started with Raine’s rudimentary lessons in our apartment when I was less than ten years old, and the last few months have taught me plenty more ways to protect myself, even against a much bigger opponent. I brace for impact, and when he’s close, I drop and roll, kicking out and swiping my foot behind his knees.

Rook lands flat on his back, and I’m on him, my thighs straddling his chest, knees pinning his elbows to the floor.

“Now who’s the princess?” I ask with a smirk.

“Sit a little higher and you’ll be a queen,” he taunts, and it takes me a moment to process his meaning. I gasp with indignation as his big hands wrap around my thighs, and then he lifts me up like I weigh nothing and tosses me down.

The wind gusts from my lungs, but I have enough presence of mind to roll away as he tries to pounce. He misses as I tumble over my shoulders and then leap up onto my feet in a crouch.

“Ha!” I shout in triumph as we begin circling, light on the balls of our feet.

“Why have you been avoiding me?” I demand under my breath, taking advantage of the fact that he can’t run away from me now.

“I’m not.” He feints and tries to get in a jab to my side. I drop my elbow, but he’s too fast, and I yelp as he scores the hit.

“Don’t lie to me. We need to talk about this.”

“Talk about what?”

We continue circling, moving in and out.

“You know what,” I say, lowering my voice even more. I don’t think anyone would have a clue what we’re discussing, but it’s best to be safe.

“I have nothing to say,” he answers.

“Rook!” I snap, and then we both blink. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said his name out loud. He rolls his shoulders and cocks his head, inhaling a long breath.

“No, you’re trouble,” he says. “Chaos follows you everywhere. I don’t want any part of that.”

That feels a little unfair, but I brush it off because I need him to talk to me. Maybe he does have a bit of a point.

“Please,” I beg, almost desperate now.

His jaw hardens, uncertainty flashing over his expression. “Fine. If you can pin me for three seconds, we can talk,” he says, biting out the last word. I huff a piece of hair from my eye. “And if you can’t, then you leave me the fuck alone.”

I consider the offer. He’s almost twice my size, and I’ve watched him enough to know he’s adept at fighting. Whatever they do in the Wastes taught him a few things about survival.

But I can hold my own. Plus, he’s not really giving me a choice.

“Fine. Deal.”

The words are barely out of my mouth before he attacks. His arms wrap around my midsection, and we both go tumbling. That’s when I realize he was just humoring me before. I don’t stand a fucking chance.

I try to wriggle out from under him, squirming and bucking, but he holds me in place, his body wedged between my thighs. Finally, he grabs my wrists and pins them above my head, his lithe body stretching over mine. It’s annoying but also kind of hot. Fuck.

“No fair,” I say.