Secrets of the Crown Assassins

26

XAVIER

Damien finally pulled himself out of bed and walked into the sparring room just in time. A shame. I was looking forward to blowing up his room again.

As Damien chose his weapon for the day, I looked over at Arielle who was sparring with Alistair. Unsurprisingly, she was already in the room by the time I walked in. With Eveleen Fluor missing the night before, she would've wanted to clear her mind. She was grinning as she sparred Alistair and a few laughs echoed through the room whenever one made a smart move. Strands of her golden hair slipped out of her tight braid and hung down the side of her face.

I spun my staff as Damien stepped up to the platform with his own. The dark circles under his eyes were prominent, by his eyes lit up the moment he stepped into the rink. He might've been exhausted, but I knew the thrill of a strategic fight always reenergized him. If only he could realize it himself and drag his own ass out of bed.

I stepped back into a fighting stance and he did the same, eyes focused as he watched my staff. I stared at him, not moving a muscle. He sighed. He knew the only way the fight would actually start was if he made the first move.

Damien launched forward, swinging with his staff. I blocked and twisted mine at an angle, attempting to disarm him, but he stepped away, expecting my move. I lunged forward, swinging at him over and over. He only blocked and stepped back after each swing, letting me gain momentum. He was waiting, but I knew precisely what for.

At last, when I swung, instead of blocking, he crouched low and swung the staff against the back of my ankles, using my momentum to his advantage to make me fall. I collapsed, but instead of falling so he could punch me in the face, I swung my staff up in an arch as I fell and caught his chin. His head snapped back on impact and he was forced backward, falling to the ground, hands splayed to the side.

I took the opportunity to bring my foot down, smashing his hand, making him loosen his grip on the staff as I yanked it free. Keeping my foot on his hand to make sure he stayed down, I stood, spinning both staffs in each hand. I looked down at my brother who was making a lame attempt of trying to kick me with one of his hands pinned.

I watched this for a moment before getting annoyed at his stupidity. Resting the staffs on each shoulder, I lifted my leg and placed it back down on his neck before he could move. I pressed down a little, feeling his throat spasm under my weight. He pushed up against my foot, though he was barely using any force.

I narrowed my eyes. "You're not trying."

"Really? I didn't notice," he wheezed.

I glanced at Arielle, who was still sparring Alistair, and leaned forward, placing more weight on my foot.

"Next round, you try harder."

"Why? So you can impress Arielle?"

I pressed down harder as a mocking smile spread across his face and it quickly went away.

"You already got her," he croaked. "Relax. And stop choking me."

I glared and pushed a bit more before lifting my foot. Damien held his throat as he coughed, gasping in air, when, as if on cue, the doors flew open. Alistair and Arielle stopped sparring and watched Phoenix as she walked into the sparring room.

"Of course you losers are here," she pretended to mumble though she knew we could hear her.

"It's nice to see you again," Alistair said and, after a slight hesitation, added, "Ms. Fortier."

Phoenix paused mid-step, eyes wide before glaring at Arielle. "You said you wouldn't tell anyone."

"I didn't say anything," Arielle said and looked to Alistair.