“Cool?” Tegan looked to Sloane.
“Good,” Sloane supplied.
“Oh, curious.” Tegan watched the four of them before turning to Michael. “Laps, lunges, squats then kali sticks?”
“Yeah, that should be a good start,” he nodded as he clapped his hands. “I want fifteen laps, then thirty reps of lunges and squats. First finished picks their sparring partner.”
Tegan, Sloane and Michael then stood back and watched the four Sentinels carry out their orders. Gable finished first with Briony close behind him. Tegan was disappointed when Gable chose Jax as a sparring partner. Height wise it made no sense. Gable towered over Jax and Briony was the same with Kallie. Using their height to their advantage the two taller Akrhyn soon had the smaller ones pinned.
Walking around them, Tegan motioned for them to get up. “Again, Jax with Kallie, Gable – Briony.”
“But she is a female,” Gable protested. Tegan’s roundhouse kick to his stomach brought him to his knees. “Did it hurt less because I am female?” she asked as she watched him.
“No, Elite Sentinel,” Gable groaned.
“Precisely,” Tegan smiled at him. “My father is a Vampyre, he cared not that I was female, breakable or needed to eat regularly. Briony is no less a Sentinel because she was born female.”
“No, Elite Sentinel, you misunderstand,” Gable stumbled to his feet. “I don’t thinklessof Briony or Kallie, because they are female. I was taught to respect our female Akrhyn but knowing that I am stronger than them, means I cannot fight at my true potential.”
“Stronger doesn’t mean better, you disrespect them by choosing a male opponent,” Tegan countered sharply. “Meet your partner on the mat and spar.”
She watched the two pairs start again, both hesitant at first, then Briony’s kali stick struck home in Gable’s side. Narrowing his eyes, Gable advanced.
“I knew he forgot to feed you,” Sloane muttered.
“Only a few times, and I also forgot to remind him,” Tegan shrugged. “No one is perfect.”
“You’re so weird sometimes,” Sloane said as he glanced at Kallie taking a hard hit from Jax.
“You like her?” Tegan murmured with a smile.
“No,” Sloane’s scoff was weak.
“She seems much nicer than Zahra,” Tegan commented.
“Tegan, that’s your sister.” Sloane protested, quickly making sure Michael hadn’t heard them.
“I know.”
“And my betrothed,” he reprimanded her softly.
“Nonsense, she was in that closet kissing that human boy,” Tegan shook her head. “You deserve better.”
“You love me,” Sloane smiled widely at her.
“I do?” Tegan thought about it. “No, not yet… but I think I will.”
“Harrian’s wrath you are so brutally honest, and they say I have no filter,” Sloane laughed as he went to join Michael.
The training session lasted for a few hours before Marcus came to remind them that they needed to eat before preparing for nightfall. Four very weary, verygratefulthat the training was over Akrhyn, quickly exited the room as soon as Michael dismissed them.
“Briony has great potential,” Tegan commented as she tidied up the mats. “Kallie has an enviable eye with those throwing daggers. Jax’s speed is hampered by his lack of coordination and Gable is just a big battering ram.” Tegan looked at Michael. “He will not be suited as a Scout. Not as he is.”
“We can train him to be lighter, delicate,” Michael said confidently. “If that’s what he wants to Trial for.”
“Do not be misguided by loyalty because he watched your sister,” Tegan admonished him.
“She is your sister too,” Michael reminded her softly.