of what was visible appeared to be open space and wooden support beams holding up the open-rafter second floor. High above that was a wooden ceiling, obviously the flooring of the third story. The overall impression was of a building stripped down for renovations.
“Okay. Not using your powers is bullshit. How can you learn if you don’t use?” Tanya asked.
“Not very well?” I suggested, glancing from her to Chris and back again. He was no real help, still grinning at me like he was loving life or something.
“So, this is my building now… for us to use as a gym… for you,” she said, tilting her head to study my reaction—which was likely confused, because that’s how I felt.
“We’re in town for the rest of the week. We flew back from Europe when we heard how badly Jenks had fucked up. So today and for the next three days after, we’ll be training you here at 5:30 sharp. Next Monday, you go back to Jenk’s class, but for now you’re ours… or hers, if I want to be accurate,” Chris said.
“Okay,” I said, at a complete loss for words. “I mean, wow. Thanks.”
“Well, being trained by Tanya is a huge honor, but you might want to save the thanks. You’re going to hurt, even with the drop of blood Tanya put in your drink,” Chris said, still cheerful.
“If it’s going to hurt, then why are you so happy?” I asked.
“Because this time, I get to be on the trainer side instead of the trainee,” he said. I looked back to Tanya but she was gone… vanished, like a ghost.
“First lesson. You have enormous power, but your reactions and speed are only human, even with your fancy tattoo things. So you’re going to have to adapt and develop techniques to deal with beings much faster and stronger than you. Your goal is to cross each floor, back and forth, till you get to the far side of the third floor. We, meaning Tanya, Arkady, Stacia, and myself, will be attacking you at random. Nothing too vicious, but you best protect yourself. Now, here’s my advice—use your shields, use those circle things you do to protect yourself from our speed. Try to develop weapons that don’t require aim… you’ll never hit us. Ready? Go!” he said and was suddenly gone.
I might have been confused and unsure, but when the most dangerous man in the world tells me to put up a shield, I do it. Good thing, as no sooner had I put on imaginary invisible armor than a length of wood shot out of the darkness and bounced off me. That one would have left a serious bruise. Okay, game on.
While we were talking, I had studied the area around us. The only electrical wire that looked live was the bare bulb dangling over my head. Some loose wires were strewn about the floor in the corners, but nothing looked connected except the light. I sucked it dry, pulling energy till the bulb dimmed and went out. Then I ran. Behind me, the light came back on.
Immediately, a blurring shape came at me from the darkness to my left. I threw out a hand and lightning shot out, smashing into a wooden beam but missing the target. Something hit me from behind and my feet left the floor, my body smashing into another upright post. Anyone get the plate number of that truck? Oww.
My shields either deflect an impact or absorb it by spreading across a much greater area. Slamming into a beam across the length of my body was still very bruising, but at least nothing was broken. This would get old fast.
I started on, but a smack from behind sent me sprawling forward. I judo rolled forward and came to my feet, but the giant Arkady was already past me and when I turned toward him, I stepped right into an open-handed shove that knocked me backward flat on the floor.
Shields alone weren’t working. I grabbed chalk from my pocket and scratched a quick circle. Or tried to. A hand from the rafters above grabbed my collar and my feet left the floor. A split second later, I found myself on the second story, lying across open floor joists. A figure hovered over me and I threw another bolt of electricity at it but it was long gone, like they could dodge lightning. Which I didn’t think they actually could. Even Chris and Tanya weren’t that fast, but they