Page 94 of Shadow

“No, it’s not like that,” Church said. “I only want to see how good you really are so I can rest easier at night when Sirena is with you.”

Shadow hesitated before looking at me. Church seemed sincere, and I knew he was trying to make this work, so I gave Shadow an encouraging nod.

He stood and moved to the center of the clearing, handing me his jacket along the way.

“Grab your stick,” Church said, nodding to the stack of them we had for practicing. Shadow took a stick, and Church grabbed one too.

“This is going to be fun,” Asylum said gleefully from beside me on the log. “Who are you betting on, firefly?”

I shook my head, my heart in my throat.

I had no idea. All I knew was that I was going to pray, just in case.

SHADOW

Idipped and dodged Church’s attacks. He was going hard, and I was impressed and a little concerned, but I knew how to fight even though I spent my life taking shit from people as a way to remain in the shadows. Now that the secret was out, it was time to show up and prove I was useful.

My fist connected with Church’s face. His eyes gleamed at the violence.

Fucking great. He got off on pain. Figured.

He wiped the blood off his lip and beckoned me forward.

So I swept forward.

We tore into one another. Church was damn good, but I was keeping up with him. Neither of us pulled our hits, landing them where we could.

He clocked me so hard my ears rang before he swept his leg around mine and took me to the ground. Then he hit me twice more before I was able to roll him off and land my hits on his face.

He had moves I didn’t though. He bucked me off and sent me soaring straight over his head. I landed with a groan, the wind knocked out of me, and he was quick to straddle me and press his blade to my throat.

I stared up at him, my chest heaving.

He could very well kill me. Would he?

Breathing heavily, he stared down at me, the blade digging deep into my throat. I winced as the skin broke and blood trickled out.

“She loves you,” he murmured.

“I love her too,” I rasped back.

He moved his knife away and got to his feet before offering me his hand. I took it and let him help pull me to my feet. I thought he’d let go of my hand, but he tugged me forward so his lips were at my ear.

“If you want her, it’s for an eternity. You don’t get to fucking leave. So decide. Is this the life you want? Forever?”

I didn’t need to think about it.

“It’s everything I want,” I answered back. “I want to be a Watcher and someone she can trust and love.”

“Then I accept it. It’s in her hands now.” He released me and we stared one another down.

“I’m good enough?” I asked.

He looked past me to Sirena on the log with Asylum. I’d seen her clutching him as Church and I fought.

“I’m impressed,” was all he said before moving past me to go to her. I watched as he drew her into his arms, kissing her. Asylum came to me, watching beside me.

“You did good. I’m proud of you,” he said, eyeing the pair as Church practically ravished her.

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