𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄 ► 𝘋𝘊 𝘹 𝘔𝘊𝘜

prologue.

❞Ah, young love.❞

*

I GRUNT AS I PARRY against Talia's fast strikes. I feel the air shift just as Talia's foot moves toward my abdomen. My right-hand moves to block her, and Talia's weight shifts as her right leg moves outward. She hits me in the side I left unprotected while I was blocking her. 

I groan in pain but Talia's not hindered. 

It's been two years since I ran away from home. It's not been complete radio silence. I sent letters, every month. The letters are only for Bruce and Dick. To the others, they only hear of me from Bruce or Dick. I'd write to the others but the more letters I send out the more the chances are that Talia might notice them.

I've only risked writing extra letters once, to Wanda and Tim. I wasn't caught, but I'm not risking it. 

I joined the League of Shadows after a year of running away. I promised four years of service and after a lot of persuasion, Talia and Ra's allowed me to set a time limit on my contract with them. 

It's been a rough two years. Ra hadn't trusted me during my first year, I still have scars from half of the missions he sent me on during that year. Another rough thing about these two years are my powers. The usual green color of my powers, the one that clashed with the red of my uniform, turned daunting red 6 months go. At least I won't look like some fucked up Christmas costume from a distance.

I consulted with a friend I made during my time at the League of Shadows, she said the change in color is due to the enrichment of my experience.

"Fuck sake!"

I'm on the floor, my abdomen burning with pain. Talia does not pursue me, she smiles, extending her hand toward me. I narrow my eyes at her, "If you drop me, Talia, I swear!"

"I wouldn't dare."

I match her smile and take her hand. I get up, there's a knock at the door. I tense. During my time at the League of Shadows, I've been promoted to the role of Talia Al Ghul's personal guard. 

Though, admitted, she doesn't need the protection, she wants me to protect her and her son. Damian. Speaking of the devil, the door opens and there he is. The 12-year-old stares back at me, I grin, "Hey Damian."

He's a sweet kid, and Talia loves him to death (in her own really weird way) and she loves him more since Damian doesn't know his father. I've never asked for the identity of his father, it's not my place and the information doesn't matter to me. 

"I still cannot believe that you prefer her for your training partner instead of me, Mother."

I deadpan, "You little shit."

Talia chuckles, "I need to train with someone who can see me eye-to-eye without needing a stepping stool, Damian."

Damian clicks his tongue, "You only have to wait a few years Mother, I'm sure I'll be as tall as you in no time."