Page 38 of Dragon Unleashed

Chano’s booming tones echo up the corridor. With a start I shove the doll, if you can call it that, under my pillow and jam together the photos and documents, stuffing them into the box and shoving it under my bed just as Chano walks in.

“Having a lazy morning, chica? Why don’t you stay in your pj’s and we’ll go back to bed together?”

My eyes widen and I look in alarm at the clock.

“Crap! I’m late for training.”

Chano prowls toward me, his eyes eating up the tiny little shorts and cami top I was sleeping in. “Can’t it wait?”

Leaping up, I bat him away, grabbing my gym kit and bolting for the bathroom. A quick couple of minutes and I’ve put myself together, hair swept up into a high ponytail and face washed.

“Skip it, chica. I miss you.”

My heart sinks at the hope in his eyes. Gang stuff, academy work, the thesis, and my training have all eaten into our time together. But I can’t sack this off. Even if Silas is a little bit on my side, he’ll still tell the Virrey if I don’t show. I tug the end of my ponytail in distress.

“It’s okay, I get it.” Chano makes for the door.

“Wait. It’s not as good as going back to bed, but why don’t you come? You used to love the fight club.”

Chano snorts derisively “And be taught by a little old man?”

“He’s some kind of general in the rebel army, Chano. You might learn something.”

His brow furrows. “I can fight.”

“Isn’t there always room for improvement? Maybe some of the theory stuff about armies and leading people could be used in ourfamiliatrouble?”

His face splits into a grin. Hellfire, he’s handsome when he smiles.

“What?”

“You saidfamilia. And you said our.”

A blush creeps up my neck. I don’t know when my brain made the transition, but now that he’s pointed it out, it feels right. He’s my family.

“All right, chica, let’s do this.”

I’m already twenty minutes late by the time we skid into the hall. Silas looks like he sucked a lemon, especially when Chano steps into view.

“I don’t tolerate tardiness, soldier. Twenty laps of the room, onsilentfeet. Then start with katana practice.” Silas nods to a wood training sword propped against the wall. “And take off yourjewelry. No magic. Stop yourself from using magic, don’t rely on that thing. Discipline!”

He scowls at Farrell’s jade necklace before turning on Chano.

“Here to learn?”

Chano regards him for a long moment. “If there’s anything worth learning.”

I suck in a breath through my teeth, and Silas smiles. He crouches, and Chano follows suit.

They spar, slowly at first, feeling each other out. Then it speeds up, until they’re moving so quickly my eyes struggle to keep up. My laps run, I slowly pick up the katana, watching the pair. They seem evenly matched. As much as I love Chano, I had a bizarre hope Silascouldteach him something.

As I ready my stance to sweep into the katas I know, another sword lifts in the air. I blink at the weapon hanging suspended in the air, no one behind it. It lunges for me and, with a yelp, I block it. Hellfire, a warning would have been helpful. Bloody Silas. I settle into a pattern of blocking and attacking my invisible opponent, only able to keep half an eye on Chano.

It’s enough to see the moment he overpowers the smaller man, flipping Silas feet first into the air. Silas lands awkwardly with a grunt, twitches once, and lies still.

My sword arm droops, and I take a hesitant step toward them.Shit. He’s hurt. Properly hurt. Chano stands over the prone body, breathing heavily and sweating. He cautiously toes the old man. Nothing. He bends, turning Silas onto his back.

With an almighty yell Chano is spun away from Silas. He hits the wall, and in a flash, Silas swipes his feet out from under him. Chano lands on the ground, pinned by the little wyvern.Yes! That’s more like it.

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