Page 57 of Whispered Warnings: Part Two

“Sure, I can,” Griff says, and adds, “sorry Neith, we can pick up the conversation later.”

I nod, but before I can reply, the guy interrupts.

Looking really awkward, he says, “Sorry, Griff, I was actually asking Neith.”

Griff smirks, looking really proud as he says, “I’m not surprised, she seems to have an eye for it.”

I grin, “I’m just that good.”

“I’ll go and find someone that does want my help then I guess,” he mutters, and I roll my eyes at the fake pout on his face and then giggle.

Once he’s gone, the guy says, “I’m Josh. You’re good for him. He’s never smiled this much in class.” Before I can reply, which is a good job because I have no idea how to respond to that, he continues talking, “I’m a demon. I don’t know if you need to know what I am in order to help me, but I’ll tell you anyway. Usually, I hesitate to say what I am because humans are really weird about demons, but you have Reed on your team, and everyone saw you walking next to him and Raiden, so you’re obviously not as touchy as most humans. Anyway, Griff taught us this sequence, where we have to keep our weapon on guard and be prepared to use it but suddenly drop. I’m having trouble keeping the sword at the right angle and not accidentally slicing myself while I do the drop.” He lifts up his shirt and shows acouple of slices that are healing. “Did you understand any of that? I’m really sorry, I ramble. I’m still rambling, aren’t I? Shit.”

I burst out laughing as he smacks his hands over his mouth and looks at me sheepishly, “Honestly, I ramble just as much as you, don’t worry. Because I ramble like you, I understood what you were trying to say. I think the best way for me to help you is to focus on your sword work down here first.”

He nods enthusiastically, “Yeah, I can do that. I have sword class later.”

I frown, “If you don’t mind, I can show you now if you would like? I think it’s a good idea to get a feel for what you should be doing now that it's fresh in your mind.”

“Yes, please,” he replies gratefully.

“Griff!” I yell, making loads of people stop to look at me, whoops maybe I shouldn’t have yelled that loud. Oh well it's too late now. “Do you have a spare sword?”

Griff nods and then grins he visibly looks around, and it becomes clear that he’s checking all of the other students are out of the way a moment later when he launches a sword at me. The whole room gasps, and those gasps turn into whoops and cheers as soon as I catch the sword and give Griff a look.

“That was so fucking cool,” Josh says, his mouth dropped open comically.

“Thank you,” I grin. “Alright, show me what you know. I need to see your form and all of that sort of thing so I know where you are going wrong.” He starts to move, and I shake my head, “Wings out. I know you aren’t flying, but they are just as advantageous to you on the ground as they are in the air.”

He frowns slightly like it’s the first time that he’s heard those words, which would really surprise me, but even if it is he still does as I ask, and his wings spread out behind him. They’re a lot smaller than Reed’s but they are still large.

We start to fight, taking it a lot slower as he gets used to fighting on the ground with his wings out.

“Use them for balance,” I say as our swords clash. “Don’t forget that you can use them to launch yourself backward and out of the way of the blade as well. They are your biggest advantage.”

He nods and despite all of his earlier rambling, he listens really well and does what I say, he’s also a really quick learner.

“That’s it,” I encourage.

We go for a while longer, and his confidence increases, so I start putting in some more complicated moves and then pausing and correcting his stances when he gets them wrong.

Finally, I say, “Okay, show me the move that you are trying to do.”

He nods and shoots into the air he does the move and barely misses slicing himself again.

“See, that was better than I have ever done it, but it’s like I’ve got too much to think about, and I forget what I am supposed to be doing with the sword,” he explains when he comes back down.

I nod. “Yeah, I can see that. Have you fought against someone and tried the move? I know it sounds weird, but maybe the threat isn’t big enough?”

He frowns slightly, “I haven’t, but I’m willing to try anything at this point.”

I nod, “Griff!” I yell again because, apparently, that’s what I do now, and no one here really seems to mind.

“What’s up?” Griff asks as he lands with ease next to us and I have to once again control my reaction to him, I can’t let my mouth run away with me and tell him how hot I think he is, that is not the impression that I want to send this class.

“Josh is having trouble doing the complex sequence that he’s trying to learn and remembering the move with the sword at thesame time. We’ve practiced on the ground with his wings out, but now I was wondering if you could fight with him in the air,” I explain and then add, “I think he can definitely do it; he’s just overthinking it.”

Griff nods, “Sure, I can do that. Come on, man, in the air.”

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