Confessions of a Killer

27 Flame of my flame

Charlotte:

It was later decided that Aries and I would spar, the time had come and I was ready.

Much like the time I'd had with Heath, yet we'd be inside training grounds this time, instead of vehicles used for visibility, there were torches casting light upon the grounds, the darkening skies clear of the storm of the night before. A slight wind cutting through the opened gateway shifting my hair in its ponytail. I took a moment to braid the rest of its long expanse while taking in our surroundings.

A sanded circle fit smack in the middle of the yard fenced in with dark colored bricks spanning at least 10 feet high, torches spaced evenly apart burned bright in shiny metal brackets. A small outcropping of grass lined the walls, the rest of the yard scuffed with dirt, the evidence of many a day of hard training. Damien had explained earlier that 'training' really meant fighting. Learning new skills of combat and testing them out on one another to further our defensive and offensive objectivity.

The 'training' that I'd be doing with Aries would be regulated, unlike how the men of the pack would 'train'. I'd been angry about the sexist regard until Damien explained that its more so I can establish my own stake in the pack, also, for both of our protection, Aries hasn't shifted yet and should her latent power come out... Well, Damien doesn't want me to burn, and it wouldn't be too good if my inner bitch dragon came out and bit her either.

Just have to keep it as non-lethal as possible while still asserting dominance. Sure. Whats the worst that could happen?

Don't answer that.

I'd already impressed Heath, and a lot of the people who'd been at the warehouse and witnessed our fight had gossiped like schoolgirls about the outcome. If I can just do the same without using any extra abilities, we'll be golden. Damien explained that training is to hone these abilities too, but... now is not the time.

I'm ready.

People milled about, talking quietly amongst themselves. Damien stood with Malcolm and Jasper at the far end. Two torches on each side of them illuminating their masculine features in the twilight. Amber orbs bored into mine, the intensity sending a shiver of desire through me, heating up my core while a small smile played on my lips. The man has presence.

I turned away, focusing instead on the task ahead of me.

Taking a deep breath as Malcolm shouted for silence, I steadied myself, feet angling in a strong defensive stance as Aries glared across the pit at me. She didn't even bother with a stronger stance, both of us knowing she'd be making the first strike, instead she turned her gaze into one that resembled boredom before looking at her nails.

What the hell?

I almost didn't hear her coming, Malcolm refereeing the match had exclaimed loudly to begin and she was nearly on me before he'd finished. I deflected her jab to my throat, spinning under her arm and pushing it outward, clenching my fist while upper cutting her jaw. Her hand clasped around mine at the last second, twisting my fist painfully in a jerk I felt all the way in my spine.

My legs gave out under me, feinting in such a way that when they swept hers out from under her she fell. Hard. The sand spraying upwards as her hair fell out of its ponytail.

Now, I know most women would see that as an opportunity. Pulling hair and clawing faces and shit. But what did I do? Exactly that, you're right. I left a raze of fingernails along her cheek, my other hand fisting her hair angrily. I may have forgone that dirty little act had she not been a complete dick and whispered how happy she was that I couldn't ever have Jasper again.

Yeah, yeah, I know this. I'm mature, my mind knows that I have a mate and both heart and head are happy with the notion. Damien is everything I could have ever asked for in a man. But the bitch hit me in a soft spot, a barely healing wound split open again because of the lack of closure and those grey eyes watching our every move. I snapped, hitting her as hard as I could repeatedly with a closed fist, watching the blood spurt from her nose with a satisfying crunch. Ignoring the shouts of the people around us closing in, about to attempt to pry me off of the hissing woman.