I grabbed my wooden sword and hurriedly held it above me, and not a moment too soon. Jared's sword clashed with mine in a forceful blow, jarring my arm painfully. Jared withdrew, his eyes appraising me.
"Nice reflexes." He said offhandedly before lunging back at me. This time I parried his blade, holding my sword hilt with two hands and side stepping.
"What the heck?!" I yelled at Jared, surprise and annoyance kindling my temper. "This is how you plan to train me? By attacking me?"
"Only partly." Jared replied smoothly, his black eyes alive with a kind of demented zeal. "What did you think this was going to be? A walk through the park?" Jared quickly jabbed out again, but I dodged, holding my sword in front of me defensively. Jared backed away, studying my stance with a practiced eye.
"The only way to learn these kinds of things is through real life experience." Jared said seriously, finally looking me in the eyes. "You want to learn to defend yourself? Fine. Defend yourself." And he charged. I instantly retreated, running from between the pews and into the wide center aisle. Jared followed me cautiously, his sword held level with his torso.
"This is mad!" I said half-heartedly, knowing my protests fell on deaf ears. I knew Jared well enough to sense his moods. Right now he was being as stubborn as a mule, and nothing or no one could change his mind.
"Is it?" Jared asked coolly, beginning to circle me. I had no choice but to mirror his actions, keeping a safe distance between us. "I don't think it is. If you can't learn to fight me, how are you going to stand up to the Curse's Fae? You won't. You'll keep doing what you're doing." Jared took a confident step forward, and I skirted away.
"You'll keep running. Retreating. Hiding. First it was Brody, then Nan, me, and finally Deandre." Jared growled. "Who are you going to have fight your own battles next, Mina? Charlie?" His voice was like acid, and I flinched at his words. He kept advancing, his eyes holding my gaze captive, no matter how much I wanted to look away. I was inching toward the front of the chapel, the marble steps leading to a dais behind me. Jared stood a few yards away, wooden sword poised, his eyes alight with burning black fire. The morning light filtering through the stain glass windows did not land on Jared. There seemed to be a permanent trace of darkness about him; a train of shadows behind him, twisting and shifting- I blinked rapidly, wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me.
"So this is it then, is it?" Jared asked heatedly, frozen in his stance. His lips curled into a sneer, which made me flush with anger. He was goading me, I knew it- and it was working. I itched to give him a good whack upside the head with my wooden blade, but I was still reluctant to confront him. He was skilled in swordsmanship when I only knew what he had previously taught me.
"Too scared?" Jared provoked, watching my expression closely as it soured at his words. "Coward. Charlie would have attacked me already. I should have taken him instead of you."
"Don't- don't you dare-" I stammered, raged beyond words. Jared's words had finally honed in on my weak link; no one threatened my baby brother. With a growl of anger, I leaped at Jared, my sword cutting through the air with my full force behind it. Our blades connected, and splinters exploding from their meeting. Jared quickly withdrew his blade and jabbed at my exposed chest. The flat of his blade hit my ribs with a loud whack!, and I stumbled back, cradling my side. I gasped for breath, looking up at Jared with loathing in my eyes.
"Don't use strength, or you will be beaten." Jared instructed, twirling in sword in his hand. "You need to use your quickness to your advantage. Don't stop in on place; keep moving." And before I could recover he was at me again, his blade slicing through the air. I parried the blow and then jumped out of the way just in time; Jared's blade came crashing where I had been just a moment before.
"Very good." Jared said approvingly. "Keep it up. And don't be afraid to make the first move, that's how you'll get the upper hand." I did not reply but instead aimed a swing at Jared's neck. Jared ducked and countered with his own move, rapping my thigh painfully. It stung horribly, my leg muscles stiffening in response to the pain. I let out a sharp exhale, but my pride stopped me from crying out. Before I could register what was happening, a strong arm was wrapping around me, pinning my arms to my sides. I was pushed against Jared's chest as I struggled, but it was in vain. Jared's sword came up to my neck, the cool wood applying a little pressure underneath my chin. I found it impossible to swallow, my eyes trying to look at the sword pressing into my skin.
"Dead." Jared whispered, a little sadly. "You have to focus, Mina."
"I'm- trying-" I choked out, trying to distance myself from the wooden sword.
"Trying isn't good enough." Jared said bitterly. "Try all you want, you'll still end up dead."
"No, I WON'T!" I cried out, frustration and desperation coloring my voice. "I'll prove you wrong. I can end this curse. I'm not going to die. I won't!"
"Show me." Jared urged, and with one fluid motion released me. I turned to glare at him, rubbing my neck ruefully. This time I attacked first, much more viciously, eager to hurt Jared as much as possible.
I had to admit grudgingly that I was improving. I darted around Jared like a dragonfly, flittering through the air, using my whole body as my tool. I spun and ducked and jumped around nimbly as a sprite, my hair flying behind me in a flash of rich brown. Jared did not have time to aim properly at me, nor was he able to pin me again. Steadily less of his attacks found their target, while I was able make a hit a few times myself.
The fighting continued for hours. My arms felt like lead, my whole body was stinging and sore from Jared's successful attacks. Both him and I were drenched in sweat, but neither of us dared to pause for fear the other would gain the upper hand. I was furious at Jared for his taunting, and it was probably only sheer determination and spite that kept me from crumbling in an exhausted heap. But I couldn't let Jared win, I couldn't- sweat dripped into my eyes, but I refused to be distracted. My eyes were transfixed on Jared's wrist, trying to get my overworked mind to anticipate his next move.
"Truce?" I suggested weakly as I blocked Jared's lunge, twisting his sword up into the air. My arms were beginning to tremble uncontrollably, and my knees threatened to give out from underneath me. This had to end soon, I thought despairingly.
"Already?" Jared panted heavily. "N-n-never. Keep going."
"This is ridiculous!" I argued, feebly defending myself.
"No!" Jared said forcefully. For the first time in hours, he lowered his weapon. Looking at him properly for the first time, I realized how desolate he looked. "I can't quit now!" He muttered frenziedly, running a hand through his hair wearily. "Every moment we waste is bringing you closer to peril." Jared inhaled slowly, and then raised his sword again. However as he stepped forward, he stumbled, falling to his knees.
"Jared!" I gasped, dropping my sword and rushing to his side. I grabbed his shoulder, trying to get him to look at me. His head was bowed in defeat, his black hair curtaining his eyes from view. He did not react to my touch, but sat there silently.
"Are you hurt?" I asked fearfully, ignoring my own soreness.
"Fine." Jared whispered, his hand shakily going to his forehead. "I just- got dizzy. I'm fine, Mina."
"No, you are not fine!" I exclaimed, grabbing his hand. Both of us were trembling uncontrollably as our muscles rebelled, but I ignored my own pain and focused on Jared's. He was exhausted. Had he gotten any sleep last night? As I remembered how he told me he went to my home last night to take my stuff, I guessed not. Jared's hand was quaking in mine, and I suddenly saw him in a new light; he wasn't as powerful and mysterious as I had always believed him to be. He wasn't flawless and inhuman, but had his own fears and vulnerabilities. Jared finally looked up at me, and I could see his dark, soulful eyes were misted over with fatigue.
"Oh, Jared..." I murmured sympathetically, wrapping my arm around his shoulders. Jared blinked, as if he could not quite believe his eyes.
"I'm fine, Mina." He tried convincing me again, but I ignored his weak excuse. I kept my arm around him, partly to lend him comfort, and the other part to keep him from trying to get up. I was scared for him, I had to admit. Why did he keeping pushing himself so hard? Why couldn't I figure him out? Jared reached for his fallen sword, but I moved it out of his reach.
"No. Absolutely not!" I said, as Jared reached for his sword again. "You must be mad if you think we are going to continue right now! You are in no shape-"
"I have to." Jared said, leaning over me. With a frustrated growl, I picked the sword up and held it over my head. Jared clumsily reached for it, wrapping his hand around mine and the sword hilt, and pulling it closer to him. I tried pulling away, but even in his weakened condition Jared was pulling the sword closer. Soon we had a tug-of-war going on, both of us gripping the sword stubbornly between us.
"Let go!" I demanded.
"You let go!" Jared said indignantly. "You're acting like a three year-old, honestly!"
"Why are you so insufferably stubborn?!"
"Speak for yourself!" Jared huffed irritably.
"Why are you doing this to yourself?!" I snapped, searching Jared's face fiercely for the answer. "You're going to end up hurting yourself! Why are you doing this?!"
"Because I can't risk losing you!" Jared cried out, revealing the true depth of his anguish. Before I could do anything but gape at him, Jared blushed furiously and gave the sword another tug. I wasn't expecting that, and I lurched forward with the sudden motion.
Jared and I were face to face.
Almost nose to nose.
We were very, very close.
Jared's face mirrored my own surprise and confusion. For a long moment, nothing happened. All we could do was stare at each other in shock, taking in our features. I never noticed before how pale Jared's face was, framed in the jagged edges of the shaggy haircut. Nor had I noticed how his eyes were not only one color, but a whole spectrum of shadowy colors, which got steadily darker towards the pupil.
At the same time, Jared and I broke our gaze and leaned away, blushing furiously.
"Lunch." Jared said lamely, looking completely lost. "We'll eat, and then resume. Is that all right with you?" Though I would have much rather have called it a day and allowed Jared to rest his aching limbs, I knew that in his own odd way, he was trying to meet me in the middle.
"Sure." I stuttered awkwardly, my thoughts distorted and confusing. Jared nodded and stood, leaving his wooden sword on the floor, almost like a peace offering. He stumbled down the aisle, his legs wobbling slightly. I sat in the same place as Jared exited the chapel. I was struck dumb, floundering in a tide of unidentifiable emotions. I couldn't get the picture of Jared's face out my mind, it seemed permanently imprinted there. What was wrong with me? "Because I can't risk losing you!" Jared had told me, his voice anguished. I could feel my cheeks warming slightly. What was happening? Had Jared hit me too hard on the head with his sword? Would that explain the light, floating feeling I felt? No. It was something much more complicated, much more dangerous and powerful than a simple wound.
There was something there that wasn't there before.