Page 93 of Blue Arrow Island
He dips his chin toward the knife. “You said you’ve been trained. What weapons can you use?”
“Handguns, rifles, knives and ... probably staffs, but it’s been a long time since I used one.”
His brows arch up. “Any interest in being on the security team?”
“What would I be doing?”
“Training, defense of camp, security, perimeter checks.”
The snowfall is so thick now that even though he’s only a few feet away, I can hardly see him. I don’t like the idea of training all the time, though it would be good for me. Getting to leave camp, though ... I don’t think I can pass that up.
“Could I still do one day a week in the garden?”
“Yeah, sure.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“We test everyone to help us place them in the right group. You don’t have to do that today, though.”
What better day than today? I’m still sore from fighting Vance off. It’s a reminder of how cutthroat this place is. I don’t know when I’ll see Marcelle and Virginia again, but I will. And when I do, I want to be as sharp as I can. Especially considering the edge aromium gives them.
“I’m ready.”
“You don’t?—”
“You said that already. But I’m good. Let’s do it.”
With a nod, he leads me over to an area where two people are sparring, several others watching from nearby.
“Zara.”
The blond perks up immediately when he says her name. “Yes?”
“You’re gonna spar with Briar. Briar, you choose the weapons.”
He leads me over to a small wooden wall, which has wooden practice staffs, spears and knives. I take a knife.
“You can pick whatever weapon you want,” I tell Zara.
She ignores me and also grabs a practice knife. Marcus speaks into his radio and then tells the people in the sparring ring to finish up.
I size Zara up. She’s lithe, but fit. A few inches taller than me. The snow could work to my advantage. Or not.
It’s been a while since I sparred. Years. But as I take a few practice swings, my dad’s lessons come back to me. One of his most important lessons wasnever show your hand, so of course the swings are terrible. I’m not even holding the practice knife the right way.
Zara is smirking by the time we’re positioned across from each other, most everyone who was training in the ring now gathered around to watch us.
“This is over when I say it’s over,” Marcus says sternly. “You’re sparring, so no one gets seriously injured. Got it?”
“Yes, boss,” Zara says sweetly.
Kiss ass.
“Yeah, got it.” I don’t take my eyes off her.
“You’ve got this, Briar,” Amira says from somewhere.
“Go,” Marcus says.
