Prophecy

Chapter 21: Shooter

*Grace's POV*

I was currently panting very, very hard. When Xavia said we would spar, I was very excited to see what that would entail, but... what we had been doing was so taxing and strenuous. My body hurts in all sorts of places that I didn't know could hurt, and I am not even human. I couldn't fathom nor understand how my body could feel this way.

But all of it was utterly enjoyable.

I found myself freely flowing with what Xavia was teaching me; it was like everything made sense. It could have been with the way she taught me, or it could have been because of our bond... Or it could be all of the above. Xavia just knew things I don't think I ever would. It came to her so naturally... Every move, every twist of her body, every punch, and even the sweat that glistened off her body had me entranced as well as eager to learn everything she had to offer me and then some.

Xavia was now showing me how to properly stand.

"Okay, so how you stand matters when defending yourself. In a real fight, everything can be used to have an advantage over your opponent. You need a strong foundation to produce a strong outcome. Does that make sense?" Xavia asked as she spread my feet apart with her own and pushed her hands into my shoulders to see how steady I actually was.

"That makes perfect sense, Xav. Does that mean if another's stance is weak, it can be used against them?" I asked as she started to back up and appraised me.

"Great question, and yes, that's exactly what it means," Xavia said as she started to mirror my stance, but she... looked a little more unstable. "Now. I want you to come to me so I can show you how to exploit someone being sloppy in a battle. See how I'm standing? While yours was a foundation that withstood my grasp... mine is lacking."

I walked up to Xavia just as she asked and saw that she did seem less sturdy.

"What should I do next?" I asked.

"You see how my feet aren't apart? That means someone could easily get me off balance and capitalize on it by following up with many scenarios. That part would depend on the person and what kind of moves they favored, so... if it were you, you'd have to decide that yourself," Xavia answered, then added, "But for now, I just want you to push me over so you can see for yourself how easy it is."

Following Xavia's instructions, I did as she asked. I walked up to her, put one hand on her shoulder, and pushed. Right before my eyes, Xavia fell to the ground and landed on her rear end with an 'oomph.' My mate was about to say something, but a certain someone spoke before she could.

"HA! Look at that!! Xav was defeated by Grace! I thought you were supposed to be unstoppable. Didn't you say you wanted to impress her?" Raziel teased, and he made sure we could both hear it loud and clear.

I tried to stop my smile from forming, but that was very difficult.

Xavia's cheeks bloomed a lovely pink.

"Shut it, Raz! That was supposed to be private!" Xavia whisper-yelled at her adorable companion, who remained as a tattoo on her arm since before we started sparring.

Raziel laughed, and it was contagious.

I took a moment and thought about his gift, the way he could speak through his thoughts. I was still shocked at how he could simultaneously talk to us in our minds with such ease, as if he had been doing it his entire life.

Raziel was very special indeed.

"It's not my fault you let your mate push you down." Raziel continued.

"That's because this is an exercise, you idiot." Xavia fired back, and the best part about it was I could hear the adoration in her voice. Nothing she was saying to him was meant in malice.