Page 71 of House of Ydril

But the very next second, I find myself completely out of breath so I stop running, slowly coming to a halt.

Breathing heavily, I bend over, resting my palms against my thighs.

It startles me when he just appears in front of me. “What did I tell younotto do?” he demands, towering over me with an intense look in his eyes.

“Stop,” I squeeze out.

“And what did you do?”

“I stopped,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Stand straight and try again.”

I have to take a deep breath to force myself to stay calm because having to say it makes me livid. “I can’t do it like that.”

“Really?” he says mockingly. “I thought the more basic stuff was awaste of your time.”

“If you got off your high horse and explained how this should help me...”

He just looks at me for a second. Then he lets out a deep sigh and slides his hands in his pockets as he starts to pace around me. “Let’s see…” His voice is cold and smirking. “If, right now, you found yourself fighting in the Third Round…”

I don’t like it, but my ears still prick up.

“You’d be dead in less than a minute,” he finishes as he comes to a stop before me. “Isn’t that right?”

Prick. “Can’t say it isn’t,” I force myself to admit. “So what exactly are you planning to do with such a lost cause?”

“Using the one advantage you do have,” he says flatly.

My eyebrows pull down. “Running?”

He doesn’t even nod, but I take the silence as a yes. I frown and then I scoff. “Let me make it clear. So when I find myself in front of an opponent, you want me torun away?”

He rolls his eyes at me, fucker. “It’s not your speed I’m counting on. You may be fast for a Scion or a fae… But you’re laughably far from being a shifter or avampire’smatch,” he finishes in a low voice, his eyes darting to my neck for a second.

It makes my knees give out, their intensity.

“Fair enough,” I squeeze out. “So what is it, if not my speed?”

“Breath.”

I frown. “Um, what?”

He shakes his head as if I’m some child who hasn’t learned her ABCs. “Part of what makes you a good runner is good control over your breathing, isn’t it?”

I nod, feeling intrigued against my will.

“And the only thing you’re good for right now is Air Magic, which uses the power of your breath, doesn’t it?”

The only thing I’m good for? Where the fuck does he get off? He’s waiting for an answer, but I’m so pissed I don’t say anything. I can’t even make myself nod.

“A simple yes or no would suffice,” he says more forcefully.

I have to force myself to keep my voice flat. “You know, I’m here to be trained, not insulted.”

He just looks at me for a second. “You wanted me to explain this to you, didn’t you?” he snarls. “But I guess nothing is ever good enough for you.”

I finally snap. “What the fuck are you talking about?” I practically yell at him.

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