The Storm Ahead

sixteen

Caroline's POV

I walked into my basement to find Aiden, hands wrapped in boxing tape. He stood facing the wall, stretching his arms behind him. The white t-shirt he'd been teaching me in allowed some of the ink decorating his skin to peek through, and my mind thought back to the lake, but I quickly pushed it aside.

"Today's the day," I laughed, "Today is the day I'll take you down."

"What happened to the sweet little thing when we first started? The one who was concerned for my health?" He laughed back.

Leo sat at the foot of the stairs, shaking his head while he watched us.

I remembered our first day of training.

"Are you sure you're okay to do this?" I asked lightly, and he turned to face me.

"Yeah," He said with a smile, "Are you ready?"

I nodded and he showed me how to throw a punch, and taught me how to use my smaller frame to my advantage. Being shorter than most of my opponents would help me if I was agile, and I could probably dodge most hits. After about twenty-five minutes of sparring, I got a hit in. He let out a grunt and I saw I'm flinch. I pulled back instantly, and all attention to the fight was gone, replaced by concern.

"Are you okay-" I was cut off by him lifting my feet and my body slamming on the floor.

I groaned and rolled over. He straddled my waist.

"Never give your opponent the upper hand, if you show humanity or sympathy, they will cut you down."

He stood up and offered me a hand.

"Maybe, just maybe, she got tired of being body slammed overtime she was nice to you." I said.

"Ah, yes," Leo said with a smile, "that could be it."

Aiden just gave me a grin and shook his head. The first week of late night fighting, I'd been gentle. I wouldn't hit as hard as I could, wouldn't shove with all my strength. I knew he wasn't healed. But now I've seen his wound. And he's much better. Still a little sore, but magic has it's pros, and healing is definitely one of them.

"Fine then, Princess," Aiden said with a daring grin, "You want me, come get me."

I rushed towards him, and he dodged my first blow and managed to grab my arm. I quickly twisted it like he had taught me and slid my foot quickly in front of his. He stumbled for a mere moment before he was gone.

"Behind you," He said with a laugh.

"No fair Aiden!" I whined, "You can't stop time!"

"And why not?"

"Fine, you wanna use magic?" I asked, feeling the familiar static building in my chest, "Let's use magic."

A vision danced across my mind.

Aiden stood in front of me now before he disappeared again, this time to the stair case where he umped down to shock me before delivering a quick blow to my stomach. I fell and let out an annoying breath before jumping back up.

I looked at the dark haired boy in front of me who gave me a goofy smile before disappearing again. I looked around, trying to feign panic. It seemed to work and as he pounced down from the stairs, I spun to avoid contact with his body. He caught on quickly and landed on his feet, much like his feline friend, before taking a swing at my stomach that I dodged. He stumbled and I made my way behind him quickly, jumping onto his back. With a swift movement, he swung me over his head and onto the floor.

"Never," He huffed, out of breath, "assume the future can't change."

I let out a rough breath from the floor before looking up at him.

"Again," I demanded.

He gave me a smile and lifted his hand and beckoned me towards him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Alright you two," Leo called, "thats enough."

I looked down to Aiden, who I held beneath me with my fist drawn back, and he was getting ready to flip me.

"Why?" I asked, breath ragged.

"You've been at it for four hours. It's ten, and neither of you have eaten a thing."

"But-" Aiden started.

"Get your asses upstairs," Leo said with a sense of finality before he walked up the stairs.

"Better get going before Mum gets really mad," Aiden said with a smile.

"I heard you, Asshole!" Leo shouted from upstairs.