Page 86 of The Satyr's Guilt
Her sexy satyr began laying kisses on herstomach, the insides of her thighs, her sex.
Oh, yes.
****
Denim watched Ram out of the corner of hereye as she stretched her neck from side to side. Afterward, she dida few lunges. Thoughts ping-ponged in her brain while he leanedagainst the wall, his features frozen.
Holy hell. Look at him.
He wore loose-fitting black pants minus ashirt, showing off thick arms, bulging biceps. His caramel-streakedhair was tied back, his jaw clamped tight. And they had just comefrom the hottest sex match ever.
You’re a warrior, fighting alongside theFirebrands. Cowgirl-up. Do your job.
Ram pushed off from the wall. “When we goEarthside, you’ll be armed. A shitload of blades along with…”
“My sweet Glock with its personalizedholster.”
He grinned. “Always. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“I believe you when you say you can shoot.What concerns me is everything else. Gotta be honest, you may havetrained in Muay Thai, but you need to show more aggression, doll.We’ll work on it, but for now grab a gladius.”
She and Ram had already selected weaponsfrom the armory. Four special-made combat knives, Eickhorns. Theblades were an amalgam. Iron for demons. Silver for bloodsuckers orshifters. An upgraded Roman gladius. Its blade was sharp on bothsides. Its point was designed for thrusting and stabbing. The greatthing was, she could hold it in one hand.
Denim headed for the real things.
“Nuh-uh, doll. Those are take-home only. Youmight get in a lucky slice. Our practice weapons are duller.” Hesnatched two swords similar to the gladius from the wall. Afterwhich, he tossed Denim a Kevlar vest. “Put it on for extraprotection. Safety first.”
When he winked, Denim blushed.
Ram rolled his shoulders and loosened hisarms. He motioned for her to stand on the edge of the mats to watchhis moves.
Taking position, Ram spread his legs,loose-kneeing it. He bobbed up and down a few times, bouncing left,then right to show Denim the advantages of his stance.
Holding the weapon outward, he used atrainer’s voice. “Swords are made for a variety of purposes. Someare hack and slash. Those are longer two-handers or cavalry kind.This blade is a thrust and slice. It’s shorter. Easier for a female… uh … someone of your size to use. Hold it out in front of you.Like this.” He demonstrated. “Not off to the side. Most of yourkills will be with the point. You can do serious damage to youropponent. Do this.” Again, he demoed the move.
Denim nodded while she gave her weapon a fewstabs and thrusts.
“Good. Now come alongside me. We’ll Fred andGinger it. Follow along.”
She positioned herself beside Ram, imitatinghis stance, mirroring his movements.
The satyr shot her a pleased glance. “I’mgoing to stand back now. You keep dancing.”
She performed flawlessly, more fluid thanever.
“You’re a natural. Elbow straighter, higher.Unstiffen those knees. Step. Lunge.”
After a while, Ram raised a hand to stopher. “Here are four factors to remember. Timing. Distance. Reactiontime. Reaction ability.”
“This helps me how, sensei?”
“Being a smartass will not make you win.One. Predict your opponent’s next move by starting yours before hestarts his. Two. Keep a safe distance from your opponent until youstrike. Three. Be faster than your enemy. Four. Your reactionability is where I come in. I’ll show you the moves you need. Ofcourse, when all else fails, be more aggressive. Go for the kill.No hesitation.”
Denim dipped her chin in acknowledgment. Sheflicked her arm, swishing the blade as he’d demonstrated. “Thegladius feels good in my hand. Shouldn’t I have a combat knife inmy other?”
“We’ll get there. Right now, I want youpracticing with the sword. Are you ready for something other thanair to fight?”
