Inked

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

"Get ready Kei." My father yelled, his hands on his hips and his serious eyes scanning the dojo . His eyes lingered on Data and Brand before they moved over to me and Zane, who was standing across from me. "I am not here to coddle you. I will not kiss your boo-boos. I am here to teach you how to fight and if you pay an ounce of attention, you might learn something. If you want to see your grandfather, you have to get my approval."

"You first, Kei mou." Zane said, nodding to me. My eyes narrowed before I moved. Zane flung his arm up to his right side, catching my kick. I was slightly surprised when the force of my kick actually knocked him back. I didn't wait for him to recover, slashing and swiping my fists like they were extensions of my arms. Zane bobbed and weaved, trying to read my movements. I tried to keep my facial expression stone cold and unreadable, but the demon blood in my throbbed beneath the surface, excited for the fight.

Zane's back almost collided with the wall but his arm somehow moved and knocked me off balance. A frustrated growl escaped my lips. I felt my wings escape their confinement and moved with inhuman speed. Zane didn't move this time, he hooked his leg and tried to throw me but I dug one grabbed onto his leg and conjured fire at the tips of my fingers, burning away his pants and singing his skin. A sharp hiss escaped his lips as he was caught off balance and fell down, dragging me with him. He rolled onto his back, and immediately got back to his feet, reaching out a hand as if to touch me.

"You suck at this." Zane stated. I panted as I wiped the sweat out of my face. This training session wasn't helping at all. I didn't possess super speed or cat-like reflexes.

"I'm going again!" I nodded my head, digging my tennis shoes into the laminated floor.

Zane pulled his hand back and threw it forward, launching a barrage of fire towards me. I ran forward, waving my hand, stopping the fire where is was. "Create a shield!" Zane shouted as the fire quickly dissolved into smoke around us. I threw my arms up, visualizing a shield in my mind encasing me just as my dad had showed me. The fire jumped out towards me like daggers but stopped, hitting an invisible force. I smiled, surprised by my own ability.

"Move Kei!" Cabe shouted on the sidelines. My head snapped up as another series of fire daggers hurled towards me. I turned, trying to change directions sharply but I lost my traction on the floor. My chest smacked the floor hard, knocking the wind out of me. I gasped from the pain as the fire hit my wings and began to singe my feathers..

"Zane!" Cabe shouted as he rushed over, pulling me up to my feet. "Can't you take it easy?"

"That was easy." Zane countered as he walked forward. He tucked his left hand in his pocket as he tapped my forehead. Instantly, the fire rushed off of me. "You don't want to see me when I'm serious." The pair traded glares. I had never understood their animosity towards each other. Brand popped up from his lounging posture on the sidelines.

"She's improving." He pointed out as he crossed his legs and yawned.

"Anyone can improve from zero." My dad added, "Would he be better with weapons?" He asked, a blade glistening in the soft light.

"He's more likely to cut himself than his opponent." Cabe responded as he snapped his fingers. The dagger shimmered in my dad's hand before appearing in Cabe's.

"Hey, I'm right here!" I shouted, waving my arms. Neither my dad nor Cabe acknowledged me, still deep in thought. "Zane," I whined, "help me out here."

"Let's move away from all this dodging and weapons stuff." He offered, arching his back. "Attack me." I furrowed my eyebrows and looked around. Attack him with what? Zane sighed, he slightly slid his legs apart and lifted a hand. "With your hands, little bird."