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He set the slated box on the kitchen counter and said, “Shifters don’t die easily. It takes some effort.”
As if the other species were so simple to slay…
“You need to severely injure a shifter when it’s in animal form,” Tanner told her. “Stabbing one in the hindquarters will slow its movements. The chest and stomach are effective as well. If you can penetrate the nape of the neck, that’s a good spot too. Incapacitate the animal, roll it onto its back, place one foot against its chest with your weight pressing down and then…”
She stared at him with bated breath. The clenching of her gut instinctively told her she was not going to like his next words.
“Rip its throat out.”
Jade jumped back. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“That’s repulsive.”
“Yes. And you’re going to practice on the chicken.”
“I most certainly am not.” Disgust roared through her, making her shudder.
Tanner groaned. “Now is not the time to get squeamish, Jade.”
She crossed her arms over her stomach as it revolted against the challenge. “I can’t even begin to imagine doing this, Tanner. It’s insane.”
“Yes. But necessary. Now,” he continued, unfazed, “we’ve worked on grip strength with various exercises over the past few months. Having a steel cage for a hand helps you maintain your hold on a sword when you’re incurring forceful blows. But it will also assist you with ripping out a throat. It’s not easy and there are very few humans who can do it. You have to dig into the flesh with your nails and fingertips and secure the grip. Otherwise, you’ll just come away with a fistful of fur.”
She turned away. “Th
ere is no way I’m doing this.”
Tanner was quiet a few minutes, letting her digest the task. Finally, he said, “Clearly, Walker didn’t have it in him either. And your father, from what I’ve heard, was too preoccupied with trying to save your mother to do what had to be done to kill the wolves that attacked them.”
Her teeth ground together. “Bad form, Tanner,” she said as she faced him.
“Really?” His brow raised. “Because you have to be angry to do this. And in a real battle, you’ll be terrified for your life but will still need to be able to function.”
Her laugh was a short, hollow one. “That sounds oh so doable.”
“It is possible, Jade. I’ve done it before.”
This brought her around. “With a shifter?”
“No, a regular bobcat. I came across it when I was on a foot patrol years ago. It wasn’t inclined to let me leave its territory without a fight.”
“Jesus, Tanner. I had no idea.”
“I didn’t advertise it. But I do have the head mounted on my living room wall.”
She whistled under her breath. “Impressive. So if I make this work, does that mean I get to hang the chicken in my kitchen?”
“It means we’re going to move on to a bigger animal.”
Jade glared at him. He didn’t balk. After all, she’d been the one to demand he teach her how to be a slayer.
“I’m not so sure about this. I’m feeling queasy.”
“Good,” he said. “You won’t be cavalier about it.”
“No, but if I barf on your boots, you’ll only have yourself to blame, since I’ve forewarned you.”
