Chapter 3, Guess who's coming to visit?
Slam! Ivana failed to block what felt like the hundredth blow today. She had been training all day and whilst she was hot and tired, Yassen was still calm and collected. SLAM!!! Another solid hit rewarded Ivana for her lapse in concentration. Gasping for air, she lashed out with the heel of her hand, seeking to hit Yassen's jaw. Instead, he caught her by the wrist and twisted her arm painfully behind her back.
"We're finished for today." Yassen stated coolly as he released her.
Ivana felt frustration flood through her. She'd been working with him for 6 months now, and yet he still didn't seem to realize how important training was to her.
Perhaps he thinks I am weak, Ivana thought to herself. Deciding quickly, she let out a cry and struck at Yassen's turned back. She never came close to hitting him. As soon as she had moved, Yassen had swung around, striking her squarely in the face with his fist. Ivana collapsed, hitting the ground hard. She knew straight away from the black tendrils eating at her vision that she was going to lose consciousness. Over her head, she heard Yassen's disembodied voice.
"I said we were finished."
Her strength oddly sapped, Ivana barely reacted as darkness claimed her.
Ivana woke to cold water rushing over her. She sat up quickly, coughing up the freezing liquid. She opened her eyes in time to see Yassen toss aside a bucket and begin to walk away. Resisting the urge to kill something, Ivana stood, wincing at the already rising bruises.
"How long was I out?" She asked hoarsely.
For a long moment, it seemed Yassen wouldn't answer. Then, he turned and faced her.
"Long enough; now come."
Feeling her temper rise a few notches, she asked through gritted teeth,
"So we're finished training for today?"
Yassen inclined his head, a yes on his part. Ivana was confused though.
"What did you have in mind then?"
A ghostly smile flit across Yassen's lips for a spilt second.
"Guess who's coming to visit Russia?"