Page 276 of Blood & Betrayals

I push him back with my blades, leaning into my growing strength.

Max nods. "Good."

I stop and drop my arms. I feel like I've been hit by a freight train. "Max, I should go. I'm sorry."

"You're not quitting."

I hand him the sai, emotion welling inside me. Without the anger fueling me, I am drowning in the ever-present sadness.

"Goodbye, Max."

"You're not going anywhere," Max snarls.

"You don't even like me, and I can't do this today," I say, shaking my head and turning away.

"I do like you."

I give him a look over my shoulder. "Let's not start lying to each other now, Max. You think I'm an arrogant bitch, and I have my head firmly lodged up my own ass."

Max shrugs. "We're frenemies. I know there are lots of things you don't like about me."

"Frenemies?" I ask, thinking about the term. It feels more simple than friends, yet it's more pliable. The expectations are non-existent, and there is room for mistakes. It feels easier than sitting on the pedestal Alice and Connor keep putting me on. It is precarious up there, and I don't stay balanced for any length of time.

Max nods and holds out my sai. "You're not quitting this."

I look at them and then back at him, hesitating for a long beat before I turn and take them from him. While the well of despair still runs deep, I no longer feel like I'm drowning in it. I can breathe again. The air allows me to think straight, and I realizesparring may help. My brain is desperate for the endorphins, craving the feeling of power.

Max spins his sword. "And for the record, I enjoy training you."

"All I do is argue and piss you off."

"And?" Max asks, tilting his head.

I roll my eyes, but my heart lifts a little. "Ready?"

Max nods, and I swing my sai at him. He blocks it and counters with a powerful downward blow. I pull lightly at my power, enhancing my natural agility and speed. Not only do I dodge his hit, but I get in one of my own, pushing him back a few steps.

I continue to walk him back, always aware of how close we're getting to the wall. How will I get him to concede without backing him into it and inciting the same reaction I did yesterday? However, my concern is unnecessary as Max uses my distraction against me and hits one of the sai out of my hand. It clangs loudly as it hits the floor.

"Stop holding back," Max growls. He bends to pick up my sai and hands it back to me. "Give it your all. You're better than this."

Determination fills me, and I spin, the sai blurring as I slam against his defense with a strength I didn't know I had. Max loses his footing and falls to the ground. I follow him down and hold my blade to his throat. My chest heaves from the exertion, but I bask in the feeling of power and control.

Max blinks, also catching his breath. "Good."

I lower the blade, nodding.

Max's lips tug into a half smile. "I like being frenemies."

I lift an eyebrow.

"You actually challenge me when you put your mind to it."

"I'll take that as a compliment, berserker," I say with a half smile.

"It was one."

"Thanks. I've let it go straight to my head."

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