Chapter 18

We won the tournament, got our third tournament badge, and then it was Christmas. I was perplexed as to what to get everybody. We set a tree up in the living room, and decorated it by catching tiny fireballs in little jars, then hanging them. Matt set up some other, holiday strobe lights (honestly how many did that guy have?) and then Abby hung some mistletoe. We all looked around nervously, but the mistletoe stayed. Classes were dismissed Christmas day, so we all slept in until 9. Then we made breakfast, and finally sat down to open presents.

Nick went first. He pulled out a new soccer ball for Paul, who smiled and politely thanked him. Next was a sketchpad for Dimitri, who thanked him with a winning smile. Nick didn't return it though. I think he had picked up on my crush for Dimitri. Then he gave Kylie one of those Swiss Army knifes. She hugged him, and then he pulled out a webcam for Jean, a charm bracelet for Lissa, a new book for Sam, set of new earphones for Abby, and some hair gel for Matt. Then he turned to me, and gave me a new Horse brush. "I know that you like your horse, so…" I got up and hugged him, which surprised everyone, me included. So I sat back down and pretended like nothing happened. After a few moments, we continued.

Then went Abby, who gave all the girls bracelets, and all of the guys watches. She then explained that each of them came with ear pieces, and speakers were embedded in the bands of her gifts. Hidden walky-talkies. She was a genius.

When it was just me and Dimitri who hadn't given out the presents, Jean got up and made everyone a second batch of coffee. Then we sat down again. I went first, distributing my gifts. They all liked them, but Dimitri had the best gifts by far. He gave Nick and Kylie decorated quivers. He gave Abby a small skiing statue, made in Alaska. To Matt, he gave a special comb for his hair, one that 'brings out the shine' in the hair. Whatever. To Jean he gave a little picture frame, decorated with little rhinestones. Dimitri gave Lissa a belt that she had been eyeing in the store last time we all went. To Sam he gave a collection of Western novels that he had read and were his favorites. He handed Paul a soccer jersey (apparently it was his favorite player's). Finally, he turned to me, saying "Close your eyes." I did, curiously, and waited while he went to get something. When he had it, he said "Now open."

On my lap was one of the finer swords I had seen in my life. The sheath was a deep purple, with the sword's name engraved on it. Psyche. It had a strap that attached two different ways. It could be worn on the back or hip. Everyone watched as I unsheathed the thin blade. It was shiny silver, so shiny that I could see my own reflection in it. The blade itself was slightly curved, with inscriptions written on it. Dimitri said that they translate roughly into a legend about an angel come to earth to deliver the humans from all evil. She used the sword, and while she was on earth, good reigned. While he told the story, I looked at the hilt. It had what appeared to be purple leather wrapped around it, the same shade as the sheath. It had a cross guard, wrapped likewise. The pommel was purple, with a metal spike coming out of the bottom. There were also spikes coming out of the ends of the cross guard.

This was a blade that could kill in one stroke. This was a blade meant for war. I finally noticed everybody staring at me, including Dimitri. He smiled. "So do you like it?" I nodded, finally out of my original state of shock. "I-I can't accept this." I stammered. "It's way over the 20 dollar limit." Just to be safe we had set a 20 dollar limit, to make sure no one was bummed if their gift wasn't as expensive as someone else's.

"Actually, it was free. This was my great-grandmothers. She never lost a fight with that sword. Finally, after all of her Pack member's died, she committed suicide. Using a different blade though, she had already given Psyche to my grandfather, who never lost a battle with it. He however, did not commit suicide, and died of old age. The sword went to my mother, who recently gave it to me. Now I am giving it to you, as I think that you can do so much more with it." I just kept on stammering thank you. That afternoon, while everyone was doing there own thing, Dimitri and I went to the training complex to break in my new sword.

We went, throwing snowballs and yelling. No one was out, seeing as it was winter in the mountains. When we arrived at the training complex, Dimitri drew two regular swords, I drawing Psyche. He lunged, and the battle began. We ducked and dodged, moving around the whole building, while still circling each other. My sword arm was parrying and cutting, I disarmed his main hand, but he switched his other sword, and we continued the fight. 5 more minutes, and we were both sweating. He disarmed me then, from a careless move on my part. He smiled, triumphant, and I tackled him, knocking away the sword. We wrestled for a bit, but eventually he had me pinned down.

Both of us were breathing hard, smiling and our faces inches apart. I was looking at the ceiling, and noticed a little plant hanging upside-down. "Mistletoe." I pointed it out with my free hand. Before he could look up, I kissed him, letting out all of the emotions that I had for him that were bottled up. It was long and passionate, and after, looking at him, I realized that I couldn't stop myself from loving him. "No one can ever know." I said solemnly. He nodded, and we continued kissing, lying there on the floor. What can I say? Addictions are hard to kick.