One Of Them

Chapter 7

*Sabina*

I've completed week one of training. Now I have to make it through week two. This isn't going to be that simple, is it?

Bruno glances down at his watch when I enter the room. "You're late."

I ignore him as I step onto the mat with a bounce in my heels. "What's on the agenda for today?"

"The same as the past few days. Though today you won't be wrestling me," he grins wickedly. Which has me worried.

I gulp. "Who's my opponent?"

My question is answered when I spot Ezra jogging our way. "Sorry I'm late," he pants, pushing his dark hair out of his face.

Bruno is watching me as he says, "That's okay. Thank you for apologizing. Now please get onto the mat."

He does, facing me with his jaw clenched.

"On the count of three, you may begin..." Bruno smiles... "One- two- three."

Ezra attacks, throwing a jab my way. I duck under his arm and jab at his side. He dodges my move and I curse not-too-pretty things under my breath.

"Can't you do better than that," he smirks. "Come on, give me a challenge."

I try an overhand. Of course, he weaves out of the way, upsetting me even more.

"That's all you've got?" he taunts.

I glare at him, my vision red from anger. I may be small, but I do one hundred percent have the sting of a bee.

He jabs and before he can come into contact with my abdomen, I catch his powerful punch with my hand, trying not to wince in pain.

Still holding onto his hand, I take the chance to throw him off balance. He falls back onto the mat and I pounce on him, pinning him down with my hands and knees.

To my surprise, he laughs. "Nice job, Sab."

I take no satisfaction from his praise. "The match isn't over yet," I tell him.

"You've got that right." He rolls over, so now he's on top of me, his face inches away from mine. My heart thuds widely in between my ribcage.

"Get off of me Ezra Black," I hiss as I push on his chest.

He won't budge. "I'm not getting off until this match is over. Now beg for mercy." He adds pressure to my pinned legs and I hold in my cry of pain.

"Not in your wildest dreams, girl seeker," I spit out the nickname I gave him back when we were fourteen.

He flinches, adding even more pressure to my legs, causing them to go numb.

Tears sting at my eyes as I say, "I can't feel my legs."

"Beg me for mercy then," he whispers into my ear.

"Never." I spit into his face a nice sum.

"Gross."

While he's wiping at his face I take the opportunity to shove him off of me. I then put all of my weight onto him, my fist hovering over his face.

"Do it," he breathes, his eyes locked on mine.

My hand shakes nervously. I can never truly punch him and he knows that.

"Okay, that's enough," Bruno says to my relief.

Releasing the breath that I was holding, I roll off of Ezra and help him to his feet. He stares at our linked hands, his eyes crinkling at the sides. Taking a step back, his hand slips from mine, and then he looks at me one more time before walking away.