During the next week I was tutored after school by Kaleb. We discussed battle tactics and went over possible weaknesses of the wild ones. After my history sessions with Kaleb, Cressana suggested that I extend my equestrian, fencing, and tae kwan do lessons. I also had those private (not very private, cause there were lots of my friends there) kickboxing lessons with Prof. Cain. Basically, I was extremely busy. And the fact that people were going to nominate me for the dark daughters had me balking. As if I didn't have enough to do already. Oh well, that's Declan's problem- not mine, thankfully.
I also felt a lot better knowing I wasn't the only busy one being worked like a mule.
The dark daughters Declan, Jinx, Gwen, Rogue, and the new initiate Aylen were all working just as hard. Although, Xander got the worst of it. I would have felt sorry for him had I not hated him so much for being so insanely gorgeous and being like the luckiest marked kid of all time. Xander's mark wasn't filled in or expanded- yet he got this super awesome affinity! Like I would have not enjoyed to walk around looking like a normal fledgling but with the power of a god.
Cain was in charge of whipping me and Xander into super warrior shape before the battle. I guess it helped that Xander's affinity entailed that whatever weapon he touched turned him into the golden god of said weapon. Seriously, it's amazing. He just picks something up, and automatically becomes a frikken master. I have a word for super lucky, super attractive guys like this. Lame-o.
Xander's little affinity did come in handy when I was looking for a challenge in fencing, he was one of the funnest people I had ever fenced with.
When the girls and I were in school, Xander was training with Cain. He trained from moon up to moon down. I, myself, had become increasingly exhausted as the days past and found myself wondering how on Earth these people expected us to fight for them if we were too mentally and physically drained to pull the covers over our bodies when we went to bed at night…er, morning. I've even stopped changing into pajamas! And this was all the outcome of Cain's brilliant idea to test our offensive affinities. I had become more practiced in controlling them so that was a plus. But the only thing I wanted to see a plus in nowadays was the hours that I slept each night.
Now Cain had called us to the field house. Yippee, I smell sweat and exhaustion coming my way.
"Goddess I'm tired" Rogue sighed. We nodded in agreement. Well, I kind of ducked my head, afraid that too much head movement would worsen my migraine.
"I feel bad for Xander, he has to do this all day" Declan said. A wicked smile stretched over Aylen's face.
"He is soo hot" She breathed. I resisted to urge to slap the smile from her face at the same time that I blushed. It was no secret that all of us had thought this one time or another. With me, it was like every time someone said his name. I winced as a stab of guilt clenched my stomach, but quickly shoved it away. A lot had changed in this long ass week. Declan was with Reed (which I highly approved of, since Reed was a great guy and he and Declan looked super cute together) and Rogue was with Chace (Another relationship that I was totally cool with. Chace was perfect for Rogue since they were both a bit superficial and snaky. It would have never worked out between Chace and Declan. She's too nice for him)
And Kaleb, he was like an older brother to me by now. I went to him for everything. As we approached the field house, my eyes landed on Xander. He was waiting outside…shirtless. If temptation was a person, Xander would be that person. He smiled at us, flashing his dimples. I knew that smile.
"Uh-oh. What are we doing today?" I groaned
"It's not really any mental or physical labor" Xander said, still grinning.
"Nope. Just archery" Cain said in his adorable british accent. I swooned over the way he said 'archery' as he ushered us into the field house. I sighed, and knew I could only hope that I didn't hurt anyone.
"Problem?" Cain asked, narrowing his eyes at my sigh. His one and only flaw- he was a hard-ass.
"For me?" I replied "No. Anyone standing within a fifty yard radius? Probably"
I smiled. They all laughed.
"Well then, it'll be good practice" He said, handing me a short bow and the cylinder thingie that wraps around your shoulder and holds the arrows. I highly doubted that I would be trading in my sonic blasts for arrows anytime soon.
Yeah, archery sucks. My first shot and I somehow managed to almost kill myself. I shot the arrow, it missed by like fifteen feet and hit the wall, it ricocheted off the wall and flew into a hanging light, and then in turn sent the arrow flying for my face. A feat that I deemed highly comical as well as impossible. I let out a little yip of fear before throwing power at the arrow. It fell to the ground in little pieces of wood.
Xander laughed. I turned to him with an icy glare.
"Why don't you have to do stupid archery" I pouted, kicking my sack thingie full of arrows. Xander rolled his eyes and tried to disguise his laugh with a fake cough. He failed miserably.
"It's not that hard" He said, putting the bow in my hands and picking up an arrow. He leaned over me and placed his hands on mine, his cheek brushed against my own and I felt my breathing hitch.
"Now lift the bow, and notch the arrow" Xander said softly. I did what I was told and Xander nodded.
"Now center yourself.. Focus on the target- good. Now pull back- and release…perfect" Xander whispered against my ear. It took all of my strength not to shiver at the feeling of his breath caressing my skin. I smiled instead, the arrow was planted in the middle of the red target. Xander handed me another arrow.
"Try again" He said with a cute crooked grin. I smiled back as I took the arrow from his hand. "Do the same as last time"
I centered myself, released the string, and watched as the arrow flew through the air and hit the red target.
"Not bad" Xander commented. I smiled back at him.
"Um, professor Cain, we gotta go practice for our ritual" Declan told Cain as he walked passed.
"Okay." Cain agreed "But first we are going to have a horse race"
I felt my face lighten up. Ohmigod. Cobolt would be so happy.
"Go saddle your horses" Cain announced. I let out a little squeak of excitement, and without thinking, sprinted for the stables.
"Care to tell me why we are running?" Xander asked, easily keeping pace with me.
"Because, it's been like a week since I've saddled Cobolt, he's become very…snippy with me" I replied, speeding up. "C'mon I'll race ya" I said breezing past Xander. He was in much better shape then I was so it surprised me that he didn't pass me immediately. I looked back at him, frowning, he smiled and again, matched his pace with mine.
"Only if you promise not to do that pouting thing you do when I beat you" Xander teased. I rolled my eyes and he took that chance to dash ahead of me. I pushed myself faster, but Xander still beat me. I was breathless by the time I reached the stables.
Xander looked around the stables and turned back to me.
"Which one's yours?" He asked. I smirked and walked into the large room, placing my pointer finger on my upper lip and glancing at Xander from the corner of my eye.
"Guess" I challenged. Xander walked further into the stables, staring at each horse. I watched the slow tensing of his muscles as he turned from side to side. Mmm. I like me some abs.
"That one" Xander said, pointing to my black stallion. My smile widened and I stepped into Cobolt's pen.
"How'd you know?" I asked. Xander shrugged.
"When we first came in, he was the only one that acknowledged your presence. I feel a little put out. He didn't spare one look my way"
I kissed Cobolt's nose and ruffled his mane. Xander leaned against the pen door and I shot him a warning glance.
"Careful. He doesn't really like anyone but me" I said. Xander smiled.
"Don't you have a horse to be tending?" I asked.
"Nope" Xander shrugged. I rolled my eyes, taking Cobolt by his reigns as he trotted happily from the pen like the little show off he was.
"Yeah you do" I sighed "It's right there" I pointed to a golden palomino. Xander looked from the horse and back to me with a smug smile on his lips.
"What gave you that idea?"
"Because, when you were looking for Cobolt, your eyes skipped right over that one. So you must've already known the owner. I just assumed it was you. Why do werewolves need to be assigned a horse anyway?" I blurted
Xander laughed.
"Well I think we prefer keeping our clothes, when it comes to things like races, horses are a nice alternative"
I shook my head as I hopped lightly onto the giant stallion's back.
"Go saddle up" I commanded "You may have beaten me in a foot race. But Cobolt lets no man or animal steal his glory"
"Yeah, well Breysal doesn't like being beaten either" Xander argued, retreating into his horse's pen.
"Man, you guys run fast" Declan said as she climbed into the stall with her mare.
"I'll say" Gwen agreed.
Cain went to the other side of the stable opening the doors and exposing about 100 acres of green pastures. Odd for Chicago.
"To raise the stakes, the first one back has no kick-boxing for a week" Cain announced.
We all gasped. Kick-boxing kicked all our asses.
"You here that Cobolt, if you win me this that's three sugar cubes and an apple" I chimed. Cobolt bucked his head excitedly. The rest of the group mounted their horses and brought them to a stop beside Cobolt.
"The first one to the creek and back wins" Cain said "Ready…Go!"
I didn't even need to pull the reigns before Cobolt was dashing out of the stables like a bat outta hell. I was turning back from the creek, way ahead of everyone else- when it hit. It was like an out of body experience. I was watching myself racing along, a wide grin on my face, and then I jumped forward. I was going to slam into myself.
I only realized what I was actually seeing (the thoughts of a wild one) about a millisecond too late. I was pulled off of my brilliant stallion by piercing claws and collided to the ground. My head slammed pretty freakin hard, and I could hear a ringing in my ears that was not the usual hum of people's thoughts. My eyes were watery but I could make the shape out of a furry wolf thing snarling at me. The bastard.
Then I was being sliced up. I was too dazed by the pounding in my head to even remember I could simply blast the fool to China. No, instead I just lay there as a stinging pain shut up from my throat to my collar bone. Finally, the pain cleared my head a bit and I was able to throw out a blast so hard it gave the animal a heart attack.
I exhaled a deep breath, staring up at the sky, and focused on my healing powers. I felt the warmth growing in my finger tips, but that wasn't where I wanted it. I urged the warmth from my hands and it quickly found my wounds.
Of course, after I had healed myself, I passed out. With the fact that I was already exhausted and then adding in the whole 'draining my energy by using my affinities' thing, it really wasn't a surprise.
I woke up in the infirmary, Xander was sitting at the edge of my bed.
I blinked allowing my eyes to adjust. Xander wound his fingers around mine. Any other day, this would have made my heart race. Any other day. I groaned and turned on to my side, facing Xander.
"What happened?" I grumbled "How long have I been out?"
His mouth twisted up at the corners into a small smile.
"First you killed the wild one, then you healed yourself, then you feinted." Xander chuckled "You have the worst sense of timing. It's only been like eight hours."
I sank into my pillow with another grumble.
"Is Cobolt alright?" I asked. Xander nodded, and a sigh of relief escaped my lips. I rolled back onto my back and looked down at my shoulder. It was healed, for the most part. There was still a large gash and it was an angry red color. It made me nauseas. I wrinkled my nose.
"Ew. Heal that please" I told my hand and watched as the gash became smaller and smaller, then disappeared leaving only a thin scar. I turned back to a grinning Xander.
"What?" I asked. Xander shook his head.
"Nothing, you're just really cute when you're all grossed out" He said. I laughed.
"What can I say? I'm just stuffed full of cuteness" I sighed. Xander chuckled and squeezed my hand.. I sighed.
"There are others back there. That are stuck in wolf form" Xander said softly. It took me a second to understand what he was talking about.
"Don't worry" I comforted "Cressana plans to give the ones who want to surrender, a chance, before the battle starts."
A sudden wave of curiosity swept over me.
"C'mon, lets go see Kaleb" I said, hopping down from the bed. Immediately, I took a dizzy step back- feeling more than a little dizzy. Xander stepped forward and I waved him off with a smile.
"No, I'm good" I assured, before adding "Brace yourself"
I thought of Kaleb. And then, we were with Kaleb.
Kaleb was sitting up in bed reading, he looked up and smiled at us- seeming completely at ease by the fact that I just jumped into his room without even telling him I was coming by.
"Nova, how you been? And to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" Kaleb asked, setting his book down near the bedside table.
I shrugged "Just wanted to see you. And I have some questions"
"Well, dive right in" Kaleb invited, patting a spot next to him on the bed. I sat down and Xander grabbed a chair beside Kaleb.
"Okay, so first. I don't really get the whole werewolf thing…" I prompted. A small smile tugged at the corners of Xander's lips but he raised his eyebrows towards Kaleb.
"Basically, they're like vampyres. They drink blood, they worship Nyx, the only difference is that they can shift into the form of a wolf." Kaleb replied with a bit of humor in his voice.
"Hm. How painful is it to break an imprint?" I asked randomly
"That depends. If it's between a human and a fledgling or vampyre, it would be like your heart was ripped from your chest, but only for the human. The vampyre would feel pain but it would be nothing compared to the pain of the human. If it was between a fledgling and a vampyre, breaking it would be harder and it would be painful for both." Kaleb paused. "A warrior's pledge is a lot like an imprint. And breaking that is usually very painful and mostly happens only when either the priestess or warrior is killed."
Before Kaleb had even taken a breath, I dove into my next question.
"Do werewolves have bloodlust like vampyres do?"
A very random and sudden change of subject, I know. But I was still super tired.
"Yes. More so than vampyres actually, it helps keep their emotions in check" Kaleb replied.
I raised my eyebrows thoughtfully, and opened my mouth to ask another question- but nothing came to mind. So, instead I smiled.
"Thanks Kaleb" I said as I hopped off his bed.
"Glad to lend a hand" He replied, picking up his book. I smiled again
"Sleep well" I said before Xander and I left. I didn't jump, because I wasn't sure if I had the energy or not. The walk back to the dorms was quiet and full of tension. Xander reached for my hand, and I put mine in his. Blushing the whole time. This guy was going to get me in trouble.
"You have soft hands" Xander chuckled
"Thanks" I murmured "Yours aren't bad either"
Smooth…
"You wanna know why I chose to stay?" He asked suddenly
"Why?" I mused
Xander sighed, as if the answer should be obvious.
"You" He chuckled. I rolled my eyes and snorted. Cheesy Mc. Cheese-puff. This made Xander laugh.
"What did I have to do with you staying?"
"Well, for one" Xander replied "You scared the shit out of me when you dropped the other three without even touching them. And second, cause you're really hot"
My brows furrowed "You hardly know me"
"I saw you naked" Xander shrugged. My jaw dropped. He grinned.
"You're lying" I challenged. Xander's grin widened.
"Nope. You took me back to your room, when I was still in wolf form. And you were changing for the council meeting." He said.
I turned bright red and turned away. Ohmigod, Ohmigod, Ohmigod.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of. You're hot. And don't try to pretend that you're not attracted to me either. Technically, we're even. You saw me naked during the council meeting. I saw you naked before the council meeting."
I laughed.
"Well, this is me" I said when we approached the stairs outside of the girl's dorm. Xander took a strand of curls and swept them behind my ear.
"Sleep well priestess" He sighed.
"You too" I replied with a smile.
Xander kissed me. His lips were soft as they moved with mine. And the kiss was sweet.
He pulled back with a smile
"I will now" he whispered. I rolled my eyes.
"Cheesy Mc. Cheese-puff" I accused. Xander laughed and walked away. I stared out at nothing for a few seconds before numbly walking up to my dorm and collapsing onto my bed. Declan looked up from her chair and smiled.
"Hey, you're better!" She exclaimed.
I snorted without humor. Better, right. Tyson was dead. The school was under siege by wild werewolves. And I had no clue what I was doing.
If "better" was the word for what I am right now- so be it.
I told Declan good night and rolled over in bed. Hopefully, tomorrow would be better.