Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I let out a chuckle. “I’m willing to lose a couple of nails to get the opportunity of making them piss themselves.”
Armani glances around the room, then mentions, “It’s a pity St. Monarch’s is open to any criminal.”
“Yeah,” Alek agrees. “And we can’t kill a single one of the fuckers.”
“Not yet,” I murmur. “Just keep watching them. When the two years are up, it will make our jobs easier when we’re sent after them.”
I have no doubt the time will come, and I’ll take great joy in using everything I’ve been taught to kill the enemy.
Every one of them, except for Aurora. I pray that never happens, and once I leave St. Monarch’s, our paths will never cross again.
Chapter 11
Aurora
After the altercation with Misha and his friends, Abbie dragged me to a restroom so I could wash the blood off my face.
Which means we’re late for our first training session with Instructor Nikolai.
Just freaking awesome.
I can’t believe Misha smeared blood on my face.
I knew I was taking a risk slapping him, but my pride couldn’t let him get away with hurting me. I’m not someone who goes looking for fights, and honestly, I’d rather avoid them altogether. But I had to stand up for myself.
Last night I was too shocked to react, but in the early hours of the morning, my heartache made space for anger.
It didn’t feel good slapping him, but it restored some of my wounded pride. Now he knows I won’t take his shit.
No matter how scary he is.
Walking into the studio where combat training takes place, the class is already in full swing.
Dammit!
There are four other students paired up and practicing fighting stances.
Instructor Nikolai doesn’t even look our way as he continues with the lesson.
“We’re in trouble,” Abbie whispers, a too wide smile on her face.
We quickly move closer and try to copy what the others are doing.
They’re all taking up fighting stances, and I position my legs slightly apart, bending at the knee. Then one of us has to punch while the other blocks.
Abbie and I punch at the same time, and it has her letting out a burst of laughter.
Instructor Nikolai slowly walks closer to us, not looking impressed at all.
“First, you disrespect me by being late, then you’re disruptive in class,” he murmurs, his tone sounding deadly as hell.
I swallow hard on the nervousness tightening my stomach. “I’m sorry.”
“It was just five minutes,” Abbie states. “And I wasn’t aware we were not allowed to laugh.”
Jesus, help me with this girl.
I try to give her a look, silently telling her to stop, but her eyes are locked on Instructor Nikolai.
He nods, then stares at her until I feel awkward for the both of us.
“It seems I first have to train you in the seriousness of combat,” Nikolai says. He gestures at one of the attendees, then at me. “The two of you will fight.”
What?
I can’t fight to save my life!
My wide eyes lock on Abbie as she argues, “It’s unfair for a man to fight a woman.”
Nikolai lets out a chuckle as he points toward an open mat. “There’s no such thing as fairness in our world, Miss Sartori.” His eyes flick from me to the guy. “Fight or leave my class.”
Shit.
Abbie realizes the shitty position she’s gotten me into and asks, “Why Aurora? Why not me?”
The corner of Nikolai’s mouth lifts. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
He nods at the guy and me, warning tightening his features.
He’ll probably kick me out of the class if I don’t fight, and I can’t embarrass my father like that.
My stomach churns with nerves as I walk to the mat.
Crap, I don’t even know how to start this fight. Do we shake hands? Do I glare at the guy?
He comes to stand across from me, a sadistic glint darkening his eyes.
I'm just about to do something stupid, like greet him, when he propels his body into the air. I don’t even have time to admire the move when his foot slams against the side of my head, and I’m sent sprawling over the floor.
I think I hear Abbie shout, but I can’t be sure.
Holy shit, it hurts.
I shake my head, trying to get rid of the dizziness as I push myself up off the floor. A kick connects with my side, and as I fall onto my back, the guy is on top of me, his fist slamming into my face.
Jesus!
Intense pain engulfs me, and I think I lose consciousness for a minute or hours. It’s probably only for a second, but it feels much longer.
At some point, my head snaps to the right from a hard blow. Blood spills down the side of my mouth, and I lock eyes with Misha.
He’s just standing in the open doorway, staring at me with zero expression on his face.
I hate that he’s seeing how I’m getting the ever-loving shit beaten out of me. Embarrassment and heartache fill my chest.