How to Slay a Beast (Book 1)

Chapter 20

"What do you think?" I asked, turning around so that Del and Cyrano could see the leather jacket and combat boots and pants.

"How does it feel?" Cyrano asked, "Your brother says you look wicked."

"It feels like I can move," I said, shrugging.

"Let me see," he said, sticking his arms through mine. I was again filled with the most intense cold I could imagine. And my arms were not my own, they swung the sword with more grace and skill than I could have mastered, in such a short time, or I hoped to any time, at that point. There would come a day when Cyrano's arms and mine were indistinguishable, but that day was far in coming

"That's so weird," I said, shaking my head.

"I know, sorry---the clothes feel fine," Cyrano said, backing up.

"They're hot," I said.

"Yeah, but they'll keep you safe," he said, shrugging. We were in the garage. Our dad was inside getting Enoch ready for bed, I was outside with Cyrano and Del, learning how to sword fight. Through verbal descriptions, as well as using my arms to put them in the proper position, Cyrano had taught me basic guards, as well as how to defend myself from attacks.

"I guess," I said, swinging the sword, much more expertly than I had yesterday night. "Should I keep practicing in these?"

"A bit. It's getting late------where is your mom?" he asked.

"She told my dad she had to go to the doctor's," I said, "But that isn't true. I think she's going to see her boyfriend."

"Your mom has a boyfriend?" Cyrano asked.

"Yeah, she never tells us who he is though or talks about him," I said, shrugging.

**

"But I can tell when she's seen him. she's' happier," Merry went on, "I think she doesn't want to tell us because she thinks it'd emotionally scar us or something."

"Del? Anything you'd care to add?" I asked, glancing at him. He still hadn't told me who it was he had touched, who could see him. And he hadn't brought me to meet him. He'd said he would later.

"No, nothing," he muttered.

"He says nothing," I said to Merry.

"Don't tell her that!" Del said, annoyed.

"What---it gets confusing I'm usually supposed to translate," I said, shrugging.

"Do you know who mom is seeing?" Merry asked her brother.

Del glared at me.

"I think he does and doesn't want to tell you," I said.

"Stop it! I don't want her to know!" he sighed, putting his head in his hands.

"Now that was all you had to say---he doesn't know," I said, to Merry.

"Thank you," Del sighed.

"Do you think I'm ready?" Merry asked.

"Ready to go to certain death against this beast? I'm going with no," I said.

"When do you think I will be?" she asked.

"Well, I'd like five years to properly school you, but---"

"Fuck that----- I'm doing this now, tonight, before that thing can hurt anyone else," she said, her young eyes burning with the fire of revenge.

"----but next week would be good," I said.

"Tonight. Thank you for your help---will you come with me?" she asked.