We Are Shadows

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

RPOV

'Uh, it's not fair. Why can't I get him' I thought to myself as six foot seven inches of pure muscle slammed into me yet again. Not that I was complaining though, being pinned underneath Dimitri wasn't exactly a hardship, especially since we cleared the air a month ago. After our discussion in the gym which continued over the fantastic meal that Klara supplied for us, we decided we would try to be more understanding of each other, especially Dimitri, who promised to stop being an asshole. He also said that it was time for me to learn how to use a stake seeing as I was never able to learn at St. Vladimir's. For some reason my guardian instructors, backed up by the headmistress, didn't want me to have access to a stake. They obviously thought I was dangerous enough without one and in the case of the moroi headmistress, I don't think she wanted me tempted to use it on any of the staff. As if I would, although I could have made and exception for that sycophant Miss Kelso.

I was excited at the prospect of finally being able to use as stake but was confused when Dimitri gave me two. Thinking one was a spare I began to put it away but my confusion turned to stunned disbelief when he said I was to use both at the same time. I had never seen anyone use two stakes before and I was a little apprehensive. To start with it felt odd and I couldn't get the hang of it. I asked if I could use just one until I was more confident with staking but Dimitri assured me that using two was more balanced and, in his opinion, much easier to control. So I persisted and after he adjusted my stance, maybe more than necessary (hey, what can I say I'm weak when it comes to Dimitri's body pressed up against mine), I got the hang of it and have continued to improve which has lead us back to this moment trying to faux stake Dimitri.

"Again?" he asked with his eyebrow raised in that infuriating way. Not infuriating in a bad way but in a 'I can't do it so it's infuriating' way. I picked myself up, composed myself and answered him.

"Yes" I told him as I went to take my fighting stance. I really had to get him this time. He had been besting me since I got here, I needed to show him that I could pin him too.

"We could give it a rest until later" he said to me.

"No, I have a lesson with Lana in two hours and I have to get a shower first. Also Klara will have made us our afternoon meal soon" I replied. "Anyway we agreed we would push ourselves to find out what we were truly capable of."

"Yes we did" he said and nodded assent before he launched himself at me.

I side stepped him quickly and tried to get a few punches in as he flew past but he was too quick and I missed him. He dove for my exposed side but I saw him just in time to duck, scoot through his legs and pop up behind him to issue a kick to the back of his legs. He stumbled slightly but not for long. Due to his size he was difficult to bring down unless you hit him in the right place to upset his centre of gravity, however, finding that right place was the problem. He dove for me again and again I managed to evade him. As I avoided his lunge I twisted to aim a well-placed kick in the small of his back, however he turned quickly and caught my foot. Usually I would drop to the mat and roll but this time I used his hands and strength as a fulcrum and launched myself upwards to kick him in the chest with my free leg. I caught him off guard and he dropped me. I didn't give him time to recover. I threw myself towards him as if I was going to perform an aerial attack on him but when he moved I dropped the feint and swept his legs from underneath him and before he even hit the mat I flung my arm back and hit him squarely in the chest with one of my faux stakes. I'd done it, I had had finally got him.

"Yes! Yes! Yes" I shouted as I jumped up from the mat and did a little happy dance. I could see Dimitri trying not to laugh at my antics but he failed and let a roar of laughter fall from his mouth. All of a sudden a clapping was heard. We both turned to see that Roman had walked into the gym.