A Study of Poisons

EIGHT

       My sword drew down from my false dummy. They were watching me, standing in the doorway. Holstein and the Prince. They seemed fascinated with me, it was drawing from my aggravation.

Then Holstein decided to speak, "Do you want a sparing partner?" I stopped and looked at the two of them. I would like one but Surano wasn't here and I didn't want to put a blade near these Vampires- and I didn't want either of them to have a blade against me. I needed it though.

Succumbing to my thoughts I looked at the two of them, "Can either of you use a sword?" They must have. They were centuries old, one of them must have at least learned to do so. Even if it was a beginners course. If that even existed back then. Maybe a knight? No neither of them had enough honor for that. Maybe a mercenary. Or a Prince. It forced myself to giggle at my own joke. They didn't notice.

"Not I, I was always an archery person. Alex here however, is very good at swordplay." Holstein elbowed the Prince. He looked like he wanted to do something but he was stuck. He didn't want to hurt me, I thought- but that wasn't it. It couldn't be.

I raised my brow as I made sure not to peel my eyes away from the rubies that was held in the Prince's eyes. He pulled the ringlets of his blonde hair back. "Holstein." The Prince said almost flustered. He was cute. I didn't mention it.

Walking over to a decorative sword that was hung on the wall I pulled it out. It was French style and wouldn't be anything compared to my claymore. I didn't underestimate its power however, considering it was about to be in the hands of a Vampire. "Don't tell me your afraid to fight me."

"I'm not." He smiled. My lips parted when I saw it, this was the flirtatious side everyone has been gossiping about. It had to be.

I joined in at playing with him, "You seem afraid, don't want to hurt me? I can promise you that you won't." I put the hilt of his sword to his chest and matched his gaze. Walking a dangerous line, this is a job. I reminded myself.

The Prince took it from my hands, I back away back to the center of the room. "Don't say you didn't ask for this." He said lifting his blade to his stance. The Prince is left handed, I noticed things I've never noticed before. The calm way he stood while he watched me. The way his eyes glanced down as he studied me. He knew what he was doing.

I refused to make the first move, he would be stronger than me. I needed to be quicker than him, smarter than him. He would know my every move the way he's studying me. The Prince stepped towards me.

Metal against metal and is slid down to meet my hilt. His blade matching to the side of my face as I did the same. We were inches away. I smiled. He didn't calculate that I'd be able to stand against him. Rolling my wrist under his body I ducked and elbowed him in the pit of his stomach. He coughed and drew back. "You play dirty." He told me. "I like it."

He matched my energy as he moved his sword to around my feet. I dropped my body and leaned into my knees. He missed and I had the advantage. There was a hungry yearning in his eyes. I wondered how long it had been since he's trained.

Again, he lunged at me. Swinging it around my head, I steadied my breath. I could feel rebellion rising at the edge of my blood. An opening. He didn't even realize it but he gave himself away at that moment. His entire weight sat at his back foot. I slid my body to the ground as kicked out. He stepped to the side as I swung my blade to match his footsteps. I nearly cut him.

The Prince raised his sword and threw it down. Nearly taking me ear off, was he trying to kill me? No. He was trying to scare me. Anger flared from every part of my being as I tried to contain myself. There was no use for me to get so angry. It would only make matters worse.