The Hybrid Legacy (Sequel to the Baile Series)

Chapter 14 Host

Cullen

Two weeks have passed since the ordeal my cousins and I faced-an ordeal we have agreed neither to talk nor write about with anyone but ourselves. We are yet to shift, each of us living in a state of suspense as we await the inevitable. Each day I wake up believing I will acclaim my true form and each day I am filled with a mixture of disappointment and relief. I find whatever spare time I can to write as I do now, for I am bound to the strict schedule of training with Miss. Farkas at school and training with Ivana and Leander back home. It seems my physicality has been given priority over my intellectual wants and needs. Though I must admit, I do feel elevated in the strengthening of my muscles, agility and stamina, not to mention my killer six-pack.

"O'Sullivan!" Miss. Farkas called.

I looked up to see she wasn't death glaring me yet so I looked back down to write as much as I could until she did.

It's hard keeping secrets from the people that care about you, but it's even harder trying to cope with them alone. I've still been trying to find a way to connect with my mother...

"O'Sullivan!"

I also conversed with Donn yesterday, filling him in on how monotonous my life had become. I found it unsettling that he was interested in what was happening to me rather than events occurring in the world of the living. I gather it's because...

I didn't get to finish as my journal was snatched from my grasp.

"Go fetch." Miss. Farkas threw my journal into the fighting ring.

I winced at how my book landed face up, meaning my inner thoughts could be read by the whole class with their supernatural vision and judgements. 

I entered the ring and wasn't surprised when two of my classmates stepped in as well. I closed the cover of my journal before stepping back to defend myself from the first punch. I dodged the attack seamlessly, stepping lightly on my feet. My two opponents then wordlessly began working together, each attacking simultaneously. My thoughts zeroed in, on vibrations in the air and the heartbeats, inhales and exhales of breath of everyone surrounding me. I slipped into a state where I could anticipate my opponents' moves.

A leg was sent sweeping towards my feet and I jumped; turning around to knock the opponent down while his centre of gravity was low. While my back was turned my second opponent threw his fist toward my head, ducked to the side and wrapped my hands around his thrown wrist before throwing him over my shoulder and onto my fallen opponent.

While they were both down I grabbed my journal, tucking into the waistband of my pants before turning to face another hopeless round, on their part.

This time I threw the first punch, quickly following with another and another. I worked hard and fast as my opponent struggled to block them all. While I distracted him with my punches I delivered a kick to his stomach before hooking my foot around his ankle and sending him toppling to the floor. The second opponent leapt over the fallen, attempting to knee me in the face. I grabbed a hold of his leg before throwing all my weight to the side to spin around and throw him as far as I could. He only just hit the concrete floor by the end of the room as I exited the ring, journal in hand.

It was the end of the class and of the day so I made my way to my drink bottle and towel gathered by the edge of the room from the ring.

"I think you're nearly ready." Miss. Farkas surprised me by rewarding me her first compliment.

I gathered my possessions before taking a big swig from my water bottle.

"You should be proud, I'm sure your mother would be in terms of your improvement." She noticed my lack of enthusiasm.