Page 64 of Stars At Dusk

‘Absolutely fine,’ she confirmed, secretly keen to see what this ‘martelo’ involved.

Kage gestured she follow him, Tibo and the other two young men. They walked the corridor into a room at the far back of the complex.

Which turned out to be a large open gym. With a variety of exercise machines and spaces around the edge. All were facing a series of boxing and sparring rings where various classes were in play.

Groups of young men and women stood before instructors going through their various moves.

As soon as Kage walked in, the energy in the room shifted. People stood up straighter, and the instructors, as did the students, snapped to attention.

Harlow wandered in and unobtrusively found a corner to watch from.

Kage sliced his eyes at her and lifted his brow. She nodded and smiled reassuringly, sinking her hands deeper into his jacket pockets.

He looked away and focused on his entourage.

They all walked into an empty ring where Kage shed his boots.

He lifted a finger at two instructors standing by, and they leapt over the ropes to join him.

‘I want you three to mirror myself, Dani and Senai,’ he said to Tibo and his other two adoring fans.

He stood in the ring, a little ahead of his fellow instructors. He dominated the room with his sheer physicality, and Harlow shivered with desire as her eyes ate up his beauty. From his vast muscled upper body to the thighs that strained with unchecked power.

‘The martelo is a directkapokick with more of an attacking power,’ he said. ‘You start with the ginga.’

He demonstrated a step back with his left foot.

The instructors and students copied him.

‘After the ginga, we loosen up. First, step in, apply your hips into the kick, so from there you step, kick, bring it back.’

He fluidly demonstrated his actions, violently kicking forward and above his head before setting his foot behind him.

‘Same thing on the other side,’ he called out. ‘Finish back, ginga, and martelo.’

The group did as asked, and he made them repeat the move until they looked like they were floating in an elegant dance.

He stepped forward to correct the minute mistakes his students made until he was satisfied.

Then he paused the impromptu class. ‘You know enough to continue practising. I, for one, must go back to my evening.’

He bowed out, and his students and instructors also bowed in respect. While the room, which had paused their lessons, erupted in a series of claps at the demonstration.

Kage nabbed his boots, pulled them on and leapt over the ropes. He was headed towards Harlow when his gaze was arrested by the sight of a young man slumped against the ropes of an empty ring.

He gazed at the kid with concern. Then, he lifted a hand to Harlow, indicating she give him five minutes.

She nodded.

Kage jogged to the young man with red hair and a sad face. He spoke to the young man for a little bit, who seemed to cheer up slightly. Then Kage used a hand to guide the youth towards Harlow.

‘Harlow, This is Aran. He’s the trainee I’ve been mentoring, who’s also studying to be a junior tech at the shipyard. And your intern and assistant for the next few weeks.’

Harlow gazed at the youth and extended her hand in greeting. ‘Hi, Aran. Good to meet you.’

‘You too,’ mumbled Aran.

‘He starts back at the office with you next week,’ Kage added. ‘Isn’t that right, Aran?’

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