Page 65 of Avidian
“That all you’ve got?” she says, circling me. “No wonder Mal’s going easy on you. You’ll never make Solace like this.”
I bite back the retort rising in my throat, but something inside me snaps. Who the hell does she think she is? I don’t need Solace, and I definitely don’t need her approval. My fists clench, but I hold back—a little.
Rain smirks wider and takes a step back, giving me room. “Alright, precious, let’s see if you’ve got more than a pretty face.”
The insult hits a nerve, and I’m done. I stand up straighter, wiping my palms on my sides, determination setting in.
This time, I don’t hesitate. I move fast, landing a clean punch to her mouth before she can react. I step back, watching as shock flashes across her face. She spits blood, and for a moment I think I’ve won. But then that dark gleam returns to her eyes, and I know this isn’t over. It’s going to take a lot more than one hit to appease her appetite for fighting.
Her lips twitch into a twisted smile. “Nice try,” she mutters, before lunging at me, pulling me off balance. Her grip on my wrist is tight, and before I can recover, she drives a punch into my side. I gasp as pain shoots through my body, but I won’t let her control me. Not now, not ever. I slam my knee into her gut, forcing her back.
We both hit the ground, rolling and scrambling, limbs tangled in a chaotic mess. She’s strong, but she’s not faster than me. I fight through the pain, pushing myself to stay on top.
Rain drills an elbow into my chest, the impact sharp. I grit my teeth, shoving the pain aside, and force myself on top of her, pinning her down. I’m ready to finish it, but she’s still thrashing, trying to break free.
I throw a punch at her jaw, solid and deliberate, like I’ve been taught. The first one lands, then a second. The third hits harder, a sickening crack echoing through the ring. I feel her resistance falter, and I know I’ve finally got her.
But as I pull back, trying to make my point without really hurting her, she seizes the opportunity. She yanks me down, and I hit the mat hard, my back slamming into the floor.
I look up at her, breathless. Really? This is how we’re doing it? I’m in a damn dress for crying out loud.
I throw my arm up to block her next move, but before I can react, Malachi’s voice cuts through the chaos like a blade. “Enough.”
The word hits like a thunderclap. Everything stops. I freeze, feeling the tension evaporate instantly.
Malachi steps into the ring, his presence commanding. Rain, panting and sweaty, freezes too, her expression turning from amusement to something else.
“Alright, new girl,” she says between labored breaths, “turns out you might be hiding a few surprises after all.”
She grabs my hand and yanks me to my feet, her strength surprising me. I sneer at her, but she laughs it off, unbothered.
“She’s tougher than you think, Mal. Don’t baby her. She just needs to learn how to throw a proper punch so she doesn’t break her wrist.”
“Yeah, work on that another day,” Malachi says, his hand on the small of my back as he guides me out of the gym.
A proper punch, yeah right. She knows I landed more than one proper punch on her face.
“Sorry about Rain,” he continues once we’re inside the elevator. “She can be a handful. But I’ll admit that was impressive back there. I don’t think Rain saw that coming. The look on her face when you pinned her down…” He laughs
“Don’t be sorry,” I reply, straightening my dress and fiddling with my hair. “It was kind of exhilarating. If I end up staying here, maybe I could join Solace. Be on your team. Do what you all do…after I train more.”
He pauses, and I feel his gaze on me, sharp and searching. The air between us shifts, and I glance up to find him giving me a look I can’t quite place. “Do you want to stay?” he asks.
I blink, caught off guard by the question. My initial reaction is to deflect, but instead I find myself looking away, mulling it over. “I mean, if we take care of Marco...if I’m free. I haven’t really let myself think about it much. I don’t want to get my hopes up, you know?”
The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. We walk in silence through the tract house, the sound of our footsteps the only noise. Something feels different—charged—and I can’tshake the sense that Malachi is upset with me, or maybe deep in thought.
When we reach his truck, he climbs into the driver’s seat, the faint hum of the engine filling the silence as he starts it up. Finally, he breaks it.
“What do you want, Kat?” His voice is calm but weighted, like he’s laying something bare. His eyes lock with mine. “Because you are going to be free. You should let yourself start thinking about it. You’ll be able to go anywhere, do anything. No one will be controlling your life but you.”
The idea of freedom—of having no strings, no one pulling me in any direction—should feel exhilarating, but all I can focus on is the hollow ache it leaves behind.
I want to tell him.
I want you.
I want to go where you go. I want to fight alongside you, be a part of your world. But it sounds ridiculous in my head, too raw and vulnerable to say out loud.
