Page 103 of Riftborne
Laryk lunged, soaring just to Mercer's left, expertly grapplinghis chest and pulling Mercer through the air, ending in a violent thud on the mat. The Lieutenant rolled to his side, gasping for breath.
Shock raced through me. I never thought I’d see Mercer get the living shit kicked out of him.
He tapped the mat three times, and Laryk smirked, holding out a hand for the Lieutenant. He helped him up to a standing position and affectionately patted him on the back.
“Don’t worry old friend, maybe you’ll get me next time,” The General said in his velvety tone, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
Mercer shoved him. “We both know that won’t happen.” The two men shared a laugh before finally taking note of our presence.
“Recruits. You’re early. I was just here showing your instructor how to spar,” Laryk said, returning to his naturally cocky state of being. “I assume you’re both doing well,” he added, approaching the front of the class.
I was hot.
Unbearably hot.
I needed water.
Immediately.
As if Niamh herself had heard my plea, Nazul sauntered into the room.
In an instant, I was doused.
I held back an eye roll as he waved in my direction. I assumed he had not ceased his pursuit of Osta, and I didn’t ask. If she wanted to keep his company, that was her prerogative. She had asked me to respect it, and I had agreed. But I never said I would approve.
Raine and I took our seats at the front of the room. It took every fiber of my being not to steal a glance in Laryk’s direction.
“As you can all see, we have the pleasure of our General’s presence here today.” Lieutenant Mercer leaned back on his desk, motioning towards Laryk, who simply nodded towards the roomwith a stoic expression. He lifted an eyebrow as we made eye contact. I turned my attention back to Mercer.
“We’re going to be playing a game of sorts. It should be fun,” Laryk said, a mysterious smile creeping at the corner of his lips.
All of the recruits shifted in their seats. This was going to be anythingbutfun, if Laryk’s expression was any indication.
“Apart from stealing the air around you, what do our enemies do to disorient their opponents?” Mercer asked the class.
“Utter darkness,” Nazul said, twirling a quill through his fingers.
“Ah, the first answer is correct. Perhaps you are all learning something after all.” Mercer stood up from the desk and retrieved something that hung from the back of the door. “Can anyone tell me what this is?” He held out his hand, showing off a slim piece of black fabric.
“A blindfold?” Briar questioned.
“Two correct answers in a row. How impressive you all are today.” Mercer was clearly in too good a mood.
Suspicion clawed at me.
“The next step in preparing you is to take away your vision during combat. But we’re upping the stakes.” He motioned towards the General, who stood and made his way back to the mat, turning to give us one of his smirks.
“For fuck’s sake,”Raine whispered as she limped back to the group of us. Nearly everyone was clutching an elbow or a knee. Every other recruit had faced Laryk, sparring until they were too winded to continue. No one had come close to touching him. He didn’t even appear tired as he cracked his knuckles and paced, wiping sweat from his brow. I’d put it off for as long as possible. But now it was my turn.
I stepped onto the mat, closing the distance between us. Laryk gave me a wicked smile, and held up the blindfold. I stepped in front of him, crossing my arms and turning around.
“Don’t expect me to take it easy on you,” he whispered, securing the sheet of fabric over my eyes.
“I expect you’ll do the opposite, actually,” I quipped as his hand brushed against my arm. I shivered. A part of me wished we weren’t doing this in front of the entire class.
His breath was on my left ear now. “If you can knock me on this mat, I’ll tell you what my focus is.” I could hear the smirk in his voice. Determination surged through me. No one had been able to do it thus far, but he was quite the motivator.
I felt a chill as he stepped away.
