Page 166 of Malicent
“Is this seriously how you hold your blade?” I say, eyeing his grip with disdain.
“Yes. Has been for four years.”
“It’s awful.”
His shoulders sag. “I’m not the best guard,” he mutters.
Behind him, I catch guards watching, snickering and whispering between each other.
I hurl one of my blades toward them. It sinks into the mat just inches from the closest group. They yelp and scatter.
Luca turns back to me, startled, probably about to say something annoying like “thank you.”
“Clearly,” I say flatly.
I stab my remaining sword into the mat and grab his hands.
“Hold it likethis.Closer to the guard, not the pommel. You’re asking to snap your wrist like that.”
“Momentum is your friend, and so are your accessory muscles. Protect your joints. When you absorb my blow, use yourarms, not your wrist.”
Luca nods, stepping back to try again.
His next strike is stronger. Cleaner. And I notice his wrist holds.
“Better. Now try a different move, would you? This is getting dreadfully dull.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says with a respectful eagerness. A smile tugs at his lips as we continue.
He shows me a few more moves. I correct them. Ruthlessly.
“Why are you so weak?” I ask, yanking him up by the back of his shirt. I’d just slammed him to the floor after his block connected. His stance was pathetic.
“You need a wider stance. Otherwise, the force of my blow will knock you back every time.”
“I’m just not as strong as the others,” he admits. “I’ve been training harder lately. I want to become vice captain one day.” His eyes drift over to Kalix. The admiration is unmistakable.
An idea takes shape.
I’ve been itching to train, use some of the anxious energy creeping in my body. I don’t want to do it under Kalix’s barking or Cage’s brooding gaze.
“I’ll make you strong,” I say. “We start tonight. A run, and then we will hit the obstacle course.”
“You want to train me?” He flushes, becoming flustered. “Please…I’m not worthy of that.”
“Don’t insult me,” I snap. “If I see something worth training, then you will train with me.”
My tone leaves no room for negotiation.
“Yes ma’am!” He straightens, still red but still smiling.
I release his shirt and step back.
“Up your protein and hydrate like your life depends on it.”
I was trained for years. It was brutal and lethal. Witches heal quickly, so limits didn’t exist. I’ll need to adjust for this squishy mortal.
“Clean up the weapons and resume your training.”
