Unrequited

Chapter Ten: Becoming A Spy

Song: Breaking The Habit - Linkin Park

I woke up at the crack of dawn and dressed into my training gear, meeting my trainer out on the grounds. I had decided to push the thought of Josh to the back of my mind and focus on becoming stronger. Perhaps if I grew strong enough I could escape Josh's presence for good and move on.

My training was even more vigorous than when I had begun, as my level of fitness and skill had very much improved. As I was not human, it was easy for my body to adapt to stressful circumstances, therefore the overexercising did not put too much of a strain on me, and rather helped me to improve much quicker. My flexibility had increased one hundredfold, seeing as I could barely touch my toes when I began and now I was as flexible as an amateur gymnast. When I finished my usual workout in half the time I usually took, I sat down on the grass, happy to view the beauty around me.

"What are you doing?" my trainer asked, looming over me. I looked up and rolled my eyes.

"I'm finished," I stated bluntly, choosing to ignore all further instruction.

"Yes, and as I was instructed to do so, I will now fetch Master Raven from his office so that he may continue your training personally."

I groaned, because my plan of avoiding Josh would now be impossible if he was going to be my trainer.

"Can't I just repeat the same workout again?" I pleaded, but my (ex) trainer just shook his head and began packing up his things.

"My time is up," he said, and then he turned and walked back towards the house, leaving me alone.

After a few minutes, a shadow began to take form in the air before me, and I groaned.

"Why hello, Meridian. Why so displeased with my presence?" Josh stood before me, wearing a similar outfit to mine and a narcissistic smirk.

"Is it so hard to believe that I don't like being around you?" I asked pointedly, rolling my eyes.

"Yes, it really is. Every other part-angel would have cracked by now, likely even weeks ago. I don't know why, but you are far too resistant to my mark to be a normal part-angel."

"What do you mean?" I was intrigued, even though I didn't want to take interest in anything he said.

"I'm not sure." He frowned, and for a moment he reminded me of the old Josh, back when he was deep in thought about something particularly puzzling. The frown faded, and I kicked myself, realising I had once again been hoping that he was still my Josh.

"So what's wrong with my current training?" I asked, standing to my feet.

"It's too simple for you." I snorted.

"I've been training twelve hours a day with a ten minute lunch break," I scoffed. "What more do you want me to do?"

"I want you to learn how to fight so I can use you as a soldier," he replied bluntly. I laughed, hoping he was joking, but his face was serious.

"You're joking, right?" I asked, and he raised an eyebrow. "No! I won't be a demon soldier, not for you or anyone."

"I never said that," he pointed out. "I want you to be exactly what you are: an angel soldier."

Now I was confused.

"Why would you want me fighting against you?" I asked, brow furrowed.

"You won't be fighting against me. You'll be my spy, fighting alongside your angelic friends and relaying information to me."

"As if!"

"Meridian, I want you to go and jump into the river." I raised an eyebrow.

"I can't swim," I retorted. "You know that."