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Guilt blossoms. I played too rough.
“Sorry I hurt you.”
“You didn’t. I’m fine.”
Still, I reach over and grab her arm lightly, our eyes meeting as the storm lights anew under my skin as her Chroma enters me. I focus, channeling my best attempt at a healing stream into her. A slight intake of breath tells me it’s working.
“Better?”
Her dark hair wisps around her in the breeze as she nods, lowering her gaze to her arms, examining the results.
I like to watch her as she discovers more about herself.
Ireallylike it.
I shift uncomfortably. “I appreciate the effort, but let’s focus on your stance. It’s the foundation for all combat, including grappling. We’ll get to that later, and you’ll get to beat the shit out of me. Don’t worry.”
A self-satisfied smile creeps across the corner of her lips.
“Now, stand up. Try again.”
Chapter Nineteen
Sunder
The week turned out better than I had hoped. Mira’s channeling saw immense progress in both pace and accuracy. She’d even made simple shapes with it, showing her fortitude and natural abilities. Her control also improved as she began to see Chroma as a natural force rather than a mystical energy. On the fifth day, she learned how to hold the orb between her palms and direct the flow of Chroma through it as a conduit. With every day, she grows more and more adept.
It makes something inside my chest feel warm.
The progress she’s making with weaponry, however, is much, much slower.
Using a small branch in lieu of a staff, I easily block another one of her thrusts, disarming her.
“Again.”
Her jaw tightens as I bark the command at her. Her eyebrows deeply furrow, migrating closer together with each blow. With a shout, she jumps back up, trying to knock the stick from my hands.
I sidestep and bump her hip, sending her off balance. She lands on the ground with a frustrated roar.
“I’m an office worker! I live a sedentary lifestyle. Bad posture and overeating are slowly killing my body every day. You can’t bring me to the woods for a few days and expect a Rocky montage.”
Rocky - Like rock climbing? I shake my head, ignoring the comment.
“You’re a human woman blessed with Chroma. The only human I know of that can channel. Prove yourself worthy, Mira. Don’t spit in the face of the Gods. I’ve done that enough for the both of us.”
I whisper the last bit under my breath, sure her human ears won’t discern the words from the wind. Standing, she doesn’t pick the staff back up.
“I’m tired! My muscles are so sore that I can barely move. My mind is basically jelly from channeling. I need a break.”
I clamp my mouth shut while I pick up her staff, trying to hold back my anger yet again today. Speaking through my teeth like a quiet warning growl, I say, “This is what needs to be done.”
I shove the weapon back into her hands, stepping back to assume a defensive stance.
Waiting.
She glares at me with clenched teeth. Finally, I bare my teeth at her, switching to an offensive stance. Instead of defending, she throws her staff to the ground.
“Why can’t you respect my boundaries? I said no!”
