in the end ~ d. malfoy

Chapter Twenty-Two

𝕬𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓

THE SOUND OF STICKS HITTING EACH OTHER is what fills the training room, a week before Maya leaves for London.

"Argh!" Maya groans, rushing forward as Izzy dodges her hit yet again, "Why are you making this so hard?"

"You're the one who told me that you wanted to learn how to fight like a Shadowhunter" replies Izzy. She jabs the spear under Maya's legs, intending to trip her to the ground. However, the younger girl avoids her hit quickly, spinning away just in time, "Nice save, "

"I learned from the best, " replies Maya, a telltale grin on her face; Izzy feels a hint of relief go through her at the telltale playfulness in the other girl's tone. She sounds a bit more like her old self. Less detached from the people around her.

"Don't get cocky, " states Isabelle, aiming for Maya's chest; she ducks just in time, but not fast enough, "Even though you're exceptional at throwing knives, flattery will get you nowhere. You still need work when it comes to hand-to-hand combat."

"What's the fun if I can't charm my opponent into giving up?" Maya quips, as both of them circle each other again. Izzy drops her spear off to the side, Maya copying her movements, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively "Come on, Iz, I know you can't resist me . . . "

"As . . . interesting as your attempts to convince me are, " says Isabelle, forcing down the snicker that threatens to escape her lips, "Beating you in a fight sounds more satisfying, "

"Challenge accepted, "

Maya immediately lunges forward, intending to tackle Izzy to the ground by her waist. However, Isabelle manages to catch her in time, throwing the other girl's small figure over her head. Maya lands behind Izzy on her back, hitting the training mat hard enough to send a bolt of pain up her spine.

She doesn't let it faze her, though; just before Isabelle can turn around, Maya grabs her ankle and yanks her down onto the mat, using her agility to quickly flip her over. She straddles her hips, putting down all her weight to keep her down as Izzy gasps, the air suddenly gone from her lungs. Suddenly, her knife is pressed into the throat of the latter, Maya smirking in victory as Isabelle squirms, unable to move in the other girl's iron grip.

"You backstabber!" gasps Izzy, playfully, "You dare use my own techniques against me, Maya Rajesh?"

"I improved them, actually, " Maya quips, snickering at the faux-shocked expression on Izzy's face, "To suit my needs, "

"You're impossible"

The two girls slowly untangle from each other, Maya wincing at the soreness in her arms and legs from training for two hours straight. She bends down, resting her hands on her knees, sucking in lungfuls of air that have her vision spinning at the edges.

"You okay?" questions Izzy, at Maya's paleness, huffing and puffing in her post-workout soreness. Maya nods, steadying herself as she stands back up.

"Just a little sore" Maya replies, biting back a yawn, which Isabelle doesn't miss.

"Have you been sleeping lately?" She unwraps the bandages from her knuckles, as Maya reties her ponytail, wiping off some of the sweat on her exposed torso, "You look tired"

"Dreamless Sleep potion did the trick yesterday, " Maya puts the spears back in their hangings on the wall, avoiding the suspicious eyes of her best friend.

"I - I didn't know that's what you were using, " Isabelle stutters, overcome with shock. Maya freezes, "You know it's addictive . . . . . don't you?"