Waveland

Chapter 19

Standing behind the wooden fence she gripped her hair tightly twisting the three strands over one another accomplishing a tight braid. She could hear the grunts from the men practicing combat, her eyes followed Xavier's brother. His strong muscles never failing him as one by one he took down his attacker. The sound of the metal clashing when the swords impacted. 

"Awe so you decided to join our secret army after all." That voice. Tyler spoke with a snarkiness in his tone. It was condescending. Every conversation she had with this boy she had to fight the urge of rolling her eyes. Everything he did got under her skin and she wasn't even sure why she cared so much. 
"I never miss a chance to see you knocked on your ass." Rose turned to force direct eye contact. A smile pressed her lips. 

"I normally don't fight a girl but I will make an exception." He smiled back grinning with his white teeth. Rose hated how perfect they looked. She quickly looked away her jaw pained from clenching her teeth. 

"You know I think you secretly like me." Tyler stepped closer to her, his mouth brushing behind her ear. 

She turned abruptly making sure to create distance between them. She hated feeling his hot breath on her skin. She killed people for less. Xavier was the only reason she didn't kill everyone that pissed her off in this camp. Xavier didn't seem too fond of Tyler maybe he wouldn't mind. 

"Does me avoiding you give you that impression?" 

He only grinned at her comment. Rose tighten her fist forcing her arm to stay attached to her side instead of swinging across his face. The idea of leaving a bright red mark left a spark of happiness in her chest. 

Tyler walked past her bruising her shoulder. She wished she didn't but her eyes trailed after Tyler seeing what he was doing. He leaped over the wooden fence seperating them from the rest of the boys training with their knight swords. Rose watched as he walked in the middle of the circle where two men just finished their practice combat. The tall brunette leaned his body weight over his opponet, his sword pointing at the other who lay defenseless on the ground. The ground pointing at his chest resembled his defeat. Tyler walked to the victor, Rose recongized he was someone that traveled with them on the first supply run. One of Tyler's buddies. Rose had no idea the boys name. Tyler patted his shoulder, taking the sword from him. Both men walked around leaving Tyler holding a sword in his hands. The stupid grin on his face that never seemed to go away. 

The strong wicked gaze connected with hers. Tyler's greens eyes found hers and a wickedness lay behind them.

"Let's see what you have princess?"

A challenge. This boy was ridiculous. She climbed over the wooden fence with white rope tied in the center. Leaping over the fence until she stood just a few feet between Tyler. She kneeled down grabbing the other sword.

"The first to draw the other unarmed wins." He spoke in a low voice. Most people would be afraid of the depth in his voice. He was trying to scare her. 

"How about the first to draw blood." Rose thrilled seeing the lift of his eyebrows. He was shocked at her suggestion. He once said they shared the same darkness, if that were true he shouldn't be surprised. There was no fun in fighting if a little blood wasn't drawn. Of course her words left the other soliders stilling in their movements. Their eyes wandering to her. Everyone knew who she was by name. Some probably despised her what she represented. They hated that she dared stand up against their leader, shattering the balance. Some found her curiously. Both had in common that they could never keep their eyes off her. 

"You are going to bleed red princess." Again. With that stupid nickname. 

Rose held the metal sword between her hands. It was heavy than she was used to. If she wanted to win she needed to add more force behind each strike. The normal sleek metal blade she used to allowed her to have quick movements, but this one sword was about having good combat positions. Her movements would be slow. It was about strength not how fast she could move her body. Unfortunate for Tyler she is stronger than she looks and Rose hated to use. Tyler was as stupid as he looks if he thought he was gonna overpower her. She was gonna win and wipe that stupid grin off his face.