The Conduit The Gryphon Series - By Stacey Rourke Page 0,53
a fight…”
“Come on, Cee! Wrap up the pep talk! It’s not going to help anyway!” Gabe threw a left jab and right hook in the air.
“Just a minute!” I snapped.
“You are worried he is going to overpower you?”
“Completely. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“Trust yourself and the Gryphon. He has instilled in you the abilities. All you need to do is channel them. It will come as naturally as breathing or walking.”
“Easy for you to say, you don’t trip over your own feet on a daily basis.” I muttered.
“You two can plan your mani-pedis later. Let’s do this!” Gabe yelled.
“You know in my day the men provided for and protected their families.” Alaina reflected. “Their ability to do so successfully defined what kind of man they were.”
“Are you telling me that for the sake of his fragile male ego I should let him win?”
“Oh, goodness no!” She clarified and waved her hand at the thought. “He is being a pompous pig. By all means go knock his lights out.”
I let out a heartfelt laugh. “Will do!”
“I will perch up there.” Alaina pointed to the top of a tall maple tree overlooking the trail. “If I see anyone coming I shall alert you. Please try to remember to listen for me.”
“Don’t worry, Alaina.” Gabe smirked. “It won’t take my full attention to knock her on her butt.”
I snorted at his comment. “From what I saw yesterday, Gabe, you fold like a sheet of paper.”
“You sucker punched me!”
“Not my fault you’re slow.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Oh, it is so on.”
“I will be in the tree.” Alaina morphed and flitted up into the branches to get out of striking distance.
Gabe and I squared off at opposite sides of the clearing. I hit a crouch first.
“I won’t hold back if you don’t.” I offered, hoping that wasn’t just me blowing smoke.
“Fine by me, I’ve got no problem kicking your butt.” He growled and fell down on all fours.
I wanted to get one last jab in before he transformed. “Maybe I could find a big ball of string to distract you. Whattya say fuzz ball?”
His voice dropped octaves as the change neared. “I say, I’m going to enjoy this.”
The transformation seemed easier on Gabe now. It wasn’t easier to watch. I couldn’t help but crinkle my nose as his bones cracked and popped to allow his other form to emerge. Like a well-cared for Chia Pet, hair sprouted all over his body. It only took seconds before my brother disappeared and the tawny colored lion stood before me. He let out an intimidating roar.
“Ooh, scary. Ya know if you lose again to a little girl like me, maybe we should take that old game show host’s advice and have you neutered.”
Gabe didn’t like that idea. He galloped straight for me, his fierce eyes fixated on my head. I matched his speed as I darted forward. As soon as he got within striking distance he sprung up to swipe at my face—which, by the way, I find rude. However, all his claws found were empty air. I spun down into a low swing kick, and swept his back legs out from under him. He fell flat on his side, then leapt back to his feet.
“Less than a minute.” A waggled my eyebrows at him. “I’m good.”
He snarled his response.
“I tell ya what, I’ll even give you the advantage.” I shut my eyes and turned my back to the lion. “Go ahead. Take your best shot.”
Yes, I was being arrogant. But I couldn’t help it. I was thoroughly enjoying this.
I sensed it when Gabe ducked down. I knew his every move as his stomach skimmed the ground as he crept towards me. He was the perfect model of feline stealth, but I remained one step ahead of him. Silent as a grave he extended his razor-sharp claws and swiped. At the last possible moment I jumped into the air. I’ve never had a gymnastics class in my life, yet I managed a back-tuck with ease.
Gabe interrupted my evasion maneuver with a counter-assault. He sprang up and swatted at me, one of his dagger claws tore into my arm while I was in mid-rotation. He knocked me slightly off kilter, but I still managed a somewhat graceful landing. I assessed my sliced tricep. My slashed skin healed before the blood could spill. The flesh pulled itself together and left no blemish or mark.
Gabe’s eyes bulged at my amazing disappearing booboo.