Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
It’s like she automatically downgrades her own skills just for the sake of appearing weak.
And I understand. This world is harsh on women and especially those who don’t conform to the norm she tries hard to be a part of.
But I see through that thin veneer of perfection, the innocent, sweet girl facade she’s made into her core being. Underneath all that hides a fighter, a fierce creature determined to protect the ones she loves … and herself.
Her parents may have called her after a crystal, but she’s like a diamond in the rough to me.
Beautiful, not in spite, but because of the sharp edges.
“We’ve been at it for so long,” she mutters. “It’s already gotten dark again.”
“Good. It’s better to train at night,” I reply.
“Why?”
“Because then no one can see how you fight.” I wink.
I mean, that’s what she wants, isn’t it?
“Can I ask you a question?” she asks, catching me off guard.
“Well, you may ask, but I can’t guarantee a satisfying answer,” I reply. I roll the rose between my fingers to get rid of the thorns, but her eyes are fixated on the spinning move. I wonder what she’s thinking about—if she’s trying to decipher the thoughts in my head like I’m trying to unravel her. If she thinks about untying my clothes slowly, meticulously, wondering about every part that will appear from underneath, just like I do with her.
She swallows. “Ares helped you, right? Did his family force you to fight for them?”
“Oh no, fighting was my own choice,” I say. “Out of honor. And spite, of course. But mostly so I could stand on my own.”
I’m curious that was the question she wanted to ask.
“What … what was it like being near him?” she asks tentatively.
I smirk. She wants to know more about me?
“Sorry if I’m being intrusive,” she mutters, waving it off. “Forget I asked. It doesn’t even matter.”
“No. I won’t forget.”
Her face flushes.
“Since you worked out so hard, I’ll reward you. But …” I raise a finger. “You must promise me you will tell me something about you too.”
She gulps but still nods, and a wicked grin spreads on my cheeks.
My history is boring, but hers … now that sounds like something I definitely want to dive into.
Five years ago
“Faster!” my sensei barks while I swoop my stick around and knock the dummy off balance.
Sweat drips down my forehead as I fling the katana around and around, trying my best to be as fast as he is.
“C’mon, Blaine. You gotta put more effort into this if you want to get as good as I am,” he grits.
I know I need to perform better than my best. There’s no other option. No other choice.
I owe it to Ares to be the strongest I can be so I can fight for him when he needs it to repay the debt.
SLICE!
With a quick slash, I cut through the dummy’s head and knock it off.
“There you go,” my sensei says, clapping his hands. “See? You can do it if you put your mind to it.”
But his appreciation isn’t the only reason I want to get strong.
I need to become someone no one can ever beat, no matter the cost.
I have nothing left in my life to give to the guy who saved me, so the only gift I can give him is my life itself.
My sensei snaps his fingers. “Again.”
When my training is done, I head to the showers and rinse off the sweat and hard work.
The door squeaks. “I see you had your daily bout of fun again.”
“Is there anything you need, Ares?” I ask, lathering myself with soap.
He always comes to watch during my training at the dojo, but never this late.
“I’m just wondering why you refuse to use a gun instead of such a clunky weapon,” he murmurs while looking at my katana lying on top of my clothes.
“I’m proud of what I do,” I reply.
“A gun would kill so much faster,” he responds.
So I tilt my head as I look him straight in the eyes and say, “But a gun wouldn’t allow me to taste my victim’s blood on my tongue like a savage killer, now would it?”
He snorts, and we exchange vicious smiles.
“Dad’s asked if you can accompany us tonight. He’s striking a deal with a new party in town. Don’t know if they’re trustworthy. We need the extra defense.”
I wash off the soap and turn off the shower.
“Your father asked for me?”
He nods. “I guess it’s finally time to put those skills of yours to the test.”
A grin slowly spreads on my cheeks as I wrap my towel around my waist. “Cutting into wood is exciting but not half as thrilling as cutting into flesh.”
He flashes a gun behind his back. “Want to count bodies?”
Present
“Wait … Ares was there when you trained?”