Page 26 of A Shadow of Betrayal

“I didn’t mean to,” I growl out. “Now drop it before I knee you in the nuts, and stop touching me,” I squirm between them, feeling claustrophobic.

Theo smiles and waves a hand in my direction. “See, this is why her new name is Angry Girl,” Theo adds, the boys grinning at each other over my head, then simultaneously frowning and letting their arms fall from where they are touching me, making me burst out in laughter when Theo, not so subtly, covers his junk with a hand.

I shrug as they eye me warily. “You shouldn't be so handsy with girls you don’t know.”

“Yes, I learned a valuable lesson,” Theo drawls, rubbing at his hip again and snickering when I glare up at him.

“Can she even kick her leg up high enough to cause any damage?” Jordan asks, laughing and dodging to the side when I try to elbow him again.

“Prick,” I rasp under my breath.

“She's surprisingly feisty for someone with no training,” Theo answers with a dip of his head toward me before changing the subject. “So…” Theo says, raising his brow at me before looking over my head at the Umbra Hunters gathering at the center of the track. “What happened last night? I was worried, but it looks like you are all in one piece,” he says, looking me up and down as if to double-check.

“I got yelled at and then sent to bed without dinner,” I drawl, making Theo snicker.

“Yeah, but I saved her and gave her one of my protein bars,” Jordan adds, winking at me as I huff out a chuckle at his side.

“Very gallant,” Theo chuckles. “Um, is there a reason we are walking the track and not running?” he asks, eyeing a group of Rangers dressed in black and red shirts as they sprint past us.

“Meyer is apparently dying,” Jordan mutters, raising his hands and doing air quotes in the air. I take the opportunity to elbow him in the ribs, making him grunt and rub at his side. “Not nice! I was only catching Theo up on our workout.”

“You were mocking me for dying, because I'm not kidding, Jordan! Do we have to do this every morning?” I complain, trying to pick up my pace so they won't tease me anymore.

“Yeah, today we only have fifteen laps because we have to do the course after this. I betcha tomorrow is at least twenty or more.”

Theo whistles and shakes his head. “Damn, I forget how tough Umbra Regalis is on you guys. Cap is only having us do twelve before stretches and some light sparring. Then we can hit the showers and go to breakfast.”

“Yeah, and that's why we are the better bloodline,” Jordan mutters. “Ow! Dude, what the hell?” he complains when Theo reaches over my head and slugs him on the shoulder.

“Wait, why do you get to do less?”

“Because Cap isn't a sadist like Umbra Regalis is?” Theo says, and I look up at Jordan and nod in agreement.

“See, I told you. The Viking is a sadist!”

“Jennings, Smith! Pick up the pace!” Monroe snaps from the middle of the room, and I groan, looking down at my feet as I try to run faster.

When we finally finish our fifteen laps, I’m gasping for breath and feel dizzy. I need some water and real food, or I’m worried I might pass out. Theo sprinted ahead of us when his Senior gave him crap for running so slowly, and I had told Jordan to do the same, which he declined, saying he was supposed to stick with me.

“Shit, Meyer. You can’t sit down! We have to catch up with the group, or Lennox will have our asses for breakfast!”

“Just need a second,” I mutter, sitting up and resting my head between my knees, trying to get the room to stop spinning and moan when my stomach rolls, saliva pooling in my mouth.

Crap, I think I’m going to be sick again.

“Meyer? Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay?” Jordan asks, crouching in front of me and brushing some of my hair away from my sweaty forehead.

“I’m good,” I mutter, not wanting to draw more attention to myself.

“Liar,” a deep voice says above us, and Jordan curses under his breath, springing up to attention like a toy soldier. “Why is she down?” Lennox asks him, annoyance filtering into his voice. I roll my eyes, lifting my head and pushing to my feet so that Jordan doesn't get in trouble.

“I don’t know, sir. That's what I was trying to figure out when you came over.” Lennox grunts and then dips his head.

“Jennings, go over to the course. I’ll handle Ranger Smith.” I mentally groan at those words and wish I could run out of this room and get the hell off this mountain. Anything would be better than having Lennox glare down at me like I'm the scum of the earth.

“Sir?” Jordan starts, then swallows, looking nervous. “I don’t mind staying and making sure Meyer is okay. I’m sure she only needs—”

“I said you are dismissed,” Lennox barks, making Jordan snap his mouth shut and shoot me a concerned look. I nod a little, letting him know I’m okay, and he nods back before dipping his head respectfully at Lennox, then sprinting toward the obstacle course where the rest of the Regalis bloodline is.

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