Reformation

Chapter Thirteen- Lions, Tigers, and Bears

Nova

Clang!

Metal crashed into metal with a shriek of steel, sparks flying not from Nova's fingertips but from the gleaming edges of their daggers.

Today's session was a continuation in a lesson on the value of close quarter weapons, and by lesson, Ace always meant long hours of combat practice. And ever since the incident while hunting daemons, Nova practically threw herself into her training, working hard enough to pulverize her muscles and build them back up again in a matter of hours. There was a brief interruption when Mike and Sully showed up, but Nova didn't let even that get in her way.

Their faces were close, sweat glistening, blue and golden eyes narrowed in deadly focus. I won't let any distraction or setback keep me down, not if I want to make something out of myself. Not if I want to mean something.

They danced apart, whirling and ducking and jabbing in one seamless attempt to find a hole in the other's defense. Their daggers were short, but they both wielded them with the efficiency of a spear, simply maximizing the flexibility and agility of their toned, hardened bodies.

This was one of their longest duels yet.

Nova, breathing heavily, leapt lightly over his sweeping blade and ducked in time to avoid another striking blow, her movements and his dagger arcing through the air with the speed of a snake. Even though her body burned with the effort, her golden eyes regarded him coolly, watching carefully for any weakness. Ace's blue eyes were sharp, and held a steely quality that they always took on when he was fighting. His hair was pulled back in a tight bun, but silvery tendrils hovered and stuck to his face, evidence of his growing weariness. Somehow she would outlast him.

There!

His foot came down just far enough away from his body that it unbalanced him. Shame; he would have never made that mistake if he wasn't tired.

Nova struck. She slid her leg out and swept his out from under him, and before he could catch his balance, snapped her elbow against his chest, sending him slamming down into the floor. As soon as he hit she was on top of him, kneeling over him with the posture of a predator about to kill, the tip of her dagger kissing the hollow of his throat.

"Surrender." She hissed, her body alight with the ecstasy of her victory.

His blue eyes were wide and bright with surprise, his face glistening and his chest pumping. "You win."

Nova let out a wild whoop, then in a moment of impulse, bent low over his prone body. She leaned in, their slick cheeks touching, and whispered: "I couldn't have done this without you."

His breathing was shallow in her ear, and Nova suddenly pulled back, realizing how close they were. Their gazes locked and for a moment their breathing mixed, hot air colliding in a small space. His slender, musician's fingers slid through her hair and cupped her head; she found she couldn't move.

"Nova." He whispered, the word pressing against her parted lips. And then his mouth found hers.

She closed her eyes, every nerve on fire, and sight only got in the way of the emotions crashing through her. Heat swept up her chest and melted her legs; Nova leaned into him. Dimly she wondered if the dagger was hurting him, but he arched upwards, deepening their kiss. His lips were soft on hers, gentle and insistent and-

Ace let out a gasp, drawing back. Her eyes flew open and their gazes collided with more intensity than a slap, ice blue crashing into burning gold. A single bead of crimson blood pooled in the dip of his collarbone.

Suddenly he grinned fiercely. "Kissing you is like kissing a pretty candle flame. It burns. But I can't help myself."

Nova blinked, and she quickly sat up, moving away from him with the speed of a fly out of molasses. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Ace propped himself up on an elbow, gazing at her with a strange light in his eyes, a small smile on his lips at the sight of her reaction.