The Phoenix Society

Chapter 27

I eyed Banks. He stood in front of me, a smirk written across his face, as he swung his blade around testing the weight of it. He paced in front of me, taunting me. He wanted me to run at him with all my strength and speed. He wanted me to lunge at him. He wanted me to fall into his trap.

But I knew better.

I had, in fact, been trained by the best. I blew a breath out of my mouth, pushing the hair out of my eyes slightly. My hand gripped tightly around the hilt of my blade. I studied Banks' steps, determining his next move. I still remember my very first fight with Banks, in the ally. I recalled his movements being like a dance, smooth and graceful. He knew my moves; he knew how I fought without even knowing me. Through my training with Banks, I learned to be observant; to not always be the one to jump first.

Banks always told me: To beat your opponent, you have to know your opponent. You have to know how they fight, how they think. It's the only way to get the upper hand.

So, despite the nagging thought in the back of my head telling me to charge at him, I waited. Banks must have realized what I was doing, because his smirk only grew bigger. Without waiting a second longer, he ran at me, his blade drawn.

Quickly, I dodged to the side, throwing my blade up as Banks threw his down. I threw my foot up, kicking him in the stomach. Banks stumbled back, but recovered quickly as he threw his leg around knocking me in the back as I flipped over him. I spun around, our blades clanged as they met in the middle. Then again, as Banks struck again. Banks used our connected blades to his advantage pushing me back. He flipped over my body causing me to readjust my stance and face him. Banks lunged at me. I ducked. Springing back up I attacked. Our blades met again, a loud clang ringing throughout the training room.

Banks smiled, catching his breath. "Seems I've taught you well."

"You have to give Reid some credit too, he's the one who spent the long hours of the night here with me training." I said with a shrug, bringing my blade down.

"Right, right." Banks said grinning. "I can't take all the credit. Wouldn't want me to get a big head or anything."

I scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "You're heads already big. You can barely fit through the doorway."

"I can't help it if I'm the best." Banks turned, making his way to the weapons wall. I followed a pace behind.

"Who exactly deemed you the best?"

Banks paused for a moment, casting a look back at me. He frowned. "Well, no one, everyone just knows. It's something we all agree on."

I laughed at this as Banks started walking again. "Really."

"Hey, don't get jealous just because you're not quite there yet." Banks said hanging his pellucid blade on the wall. He crossed his arms as he watched me do the same.

I sighed, fluttering my eyelashes. "Oh, Banks, if only one day I could be as good as you." I made my voice high and pitchy. Causing a chuckle to escape Banks' mouth. I cast a glance at him. His laugh was contagious. It was warm and inviting. It was something I wanted to hear more of. Our eyes met, causing my movements to faulter. His smile was wide, his eyes sparkling in amusement. Banks' smile warmed my bones as he looked at me, sending butterflies into my stomach.

I quickly looked away, silently scolding myself. Now is not the time to be making googly eyes at Banks. I grabbed a set of throwing knives and quickly made my way to the center of the room.

"Alright miss Kya. I'm meeting with Tyler to discuss everything Lydia said. I'll be back in a bit. Reid is in the pit if you need anything." Banks said as he walked behind me, towards the exit of the training room.