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“That’s not true,” she rushed on. “I learned to fight when I was a kid too. And you can’t tell me that all the training we’ve done lately hasn’t made me good enough to take Walker’s assignment.”
“I won’t dispute that.” He rubbed his temple as though a headache had suddenly set in. Seemed to be a common occurrence when they were together. “But you still don’t know how to kill demons.”
“Then show me.”
He looked ill. “Jade, this isn’t something you just suddenly decide to do. It’s a life choice. Once you’re a slayer, you’re always a slayer. Until you die.” His expression turned grave. “Usually by injuries similar to Walker’s and Jinx’s.”
“Low blow, Toran.” She seethed. Then shook her head. “Look, I understand, okay? This is not an arbitrary thought. I’ve wondered for a long time if this was the path I was meant to take. I believe it is. There’s no one else in Ryleigh to partner with you. I’m your best bet. Your only bet. And a damn good one at that.”
“Holy Christ.” He appeared to need the bucket as well, but refrained. “When the king finds out—” Toran all but growled. “Fuck, Jade. He’ll never stand for this. I’ve seen his horse outside your cottage. I know he visits you and there’s something between you two. He won’t approve of this. Hell, that’s a monumental understatement. He’ll be furious.”
“I take complete responsibility for my actions.” Though she knew Toran was right. And the fallout would, no doubt, be hellacious. But just thinking of Walker lying in the clinic made her bound and determined. “You’re the only person now who can make me a slayer. Do it, Toran. You know it’s the right thing for this village.”
“I will never hear the end of it if I do.” Then he grumbled, “I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t. Goddamn it, Jade. You are such a pain in the ass.”
“I’m sure you’re not the first one to notice.”
He harrumphed. “It won’t do us any favors to have me on the king’s shit list.”
“I’ll deal with him later. Let’s go.”
She rushed toward the town hall with Toran stomping along beside her, complaining and continuing to shake his head. He found the official registry information and completed the paperwork to record the new addition to the world of slayers.
Then Jade took her oath to sacrifice her own life in order to protect human lives against demon attacks.
Not once did she delude herself into believing Davian would understand the decision she’d made to forego her own safety in lieu of others’. She’d bro
ken her promise to him and had likely violated his trust. And though her heart constricted at the thought, her head told her she was doing what she’d been born to do.
“Now,” she said to her new partner. “Teach me everything you know.”
* * *
While Walker fought for his life, Toran introduced Jade to the very nasty reality of demon slaying. They started small, with the most basic and easiest principles and targets. Though, admittedly, killing vampires turned out to be more complex than she’d anticipated. They didn’t practice on real ones, obviously, but Toran noted the exact point of entry to the heart that would stake a vampire and she had to work diligently on her aim.
Toran hung a burlap-encased dummy from a tree in the forest, and as it blew in the wind, it mimicked a body moving during a fight, surging forward or lunging to the left or right. Even retreating or aggressively advancing at times.
Mostly, Toran sighed and glowered at her.
“You’re quicker than this, Jade. I’ve seen you move recently. But you’re holding back. You’re not focusing on the red ‘X’ I drew. Keep your eye on it at all times. Go for the kill.”
Perhaps it was thoughts of Sheena that made it nearly impossible to concentrate on slaying a vampire. Jade forced herself to rise above that notion. She wasn’t taking on Sheena. Her enemies would come from outside the king’s alliance.
After mastering her task many days later, Toran taught her to do something similar with the horned demons. They also required a direct hit in a precise location, between their horns.
“It’s a miniscule, tender spot,” Toran explained.
He pressed a fingertip to her forehead to indicate the exact area.
“Unlike with vampires, there’s no need to drive deep with your sword. The most effective way to kill vamps is to run them through and cut off their heads. Then burn the bodies. With the horned demons, you just need to pierce the skull an inch or so. It triggers a violent reaction that, for lack of a better descriptor, skews their brain cells and sends them into seizures. They also tend to spew yellow puss from just about every pore and orifice, so don’t stay too close after you’ve hit your target. It’s vile.”
She spent another week learning to satisfactorily achieve her objective. Toran seemed impressed.
“It takes years to accomplish this,” he said, “but you’re a natural.”
“I told you.”
“Okay, smartass.” Mischief tinged his nearly translucent blue eyes. “Let’s see how well you do with shapeshifters.”
