do… Zora’s capacity is going to be limited because she’s starting with no experience at all.
At least I think that’s the case.
She never told me she was in any secret fight club in the Underworld, but I can just tell by her red face, sweat-soaked clothes, and the slight droop to her shoulders that she’s exhausted already.
Zora manages to defend three successive strokes from Priya as she had been taught, and Priya stops, praising her. “Very good, Zora. You are a very quick learner.”
Looking our way, Priya gives a jerk of her head that says it’s okay for us to approach.
I smile teasingly at my sister, nodding down to the sword in her hand. “Not bad for a newbie.”
Zora frowns. “Newbie?”
Ducking my head apologetically, I explain, “Just a nickname for someone who is new to something.”
Zora glances down at the sword and grimaces. “I felt clumsy the entire time.”
“You weren’t,” Priya assures her, and then looks to Titus.
He steps up to Zora, takes the rapier. Bending slightly to catch her eyes, he says, “You did very well for your first time ever handling weapons or defending yourself from attack.”
Zora offers a small smile to Titus, but then glances around at the group. “What Titus and Priya aren’t saying is that I’m a hopeless cause if you want to turn me into some sort of warrior in the next two weeks.”
“We don’t expect that,” Carrick assures her. “You just need some basics to protect yourself if it comes to that. Your powers are going to be your best weapon.”
Zora nods, but I can sense she’s disappointed in herself. I want to get her alone, so maybe we can talk it through. I don’t ever want her thinking we are setting expectations on her.
“You want to do any training?” Titus asks me.
“I’d like nothing better than for you to kick my butt all over this field, but I’m exhausted after running the gauntlet.”
“How did you do?” Zora asks, and I take joy in the excitement in her tone. Because that’s genuine interest in me. Something one sister would want to know about the other.
“I made it through with a few bumps and bruises,” I inform her proudly.
Caiden laughs, smiling at Titus. “She defeated Truwila in less than two minutes.”
There’s pride in Titus’ expression as he looks to me for confirmation, and I nod with a grin.
“She tried to negotiate with her,” Caiden informs him, and Titus raises an eyebrow for the rest of the story.
“Negotiations failed quickly,” I mutter. “Went ahead and trapped her in an iron-laced butterfly net and put a shield around it so she couldn’t attack me with magic.”
“Brilliant,” Titus exclaims with a hearty laugh.
With a sigh, I roll my neck and envision an extremely hot shower. Perhaps I can talk Carrick into joining me. “What are the plans for the rest of the day? Are we going to move into working on Zora’s magic?”
Priya shakes her head. “Actually… we’re going to do that tomorrow when everyone is fresh.”
Carrick reaches out, taking my hand to capture my attention. “I have an idea.”
Hot shower with me? “What’s that?”
“I think you and Zora should take the rest of the day off and just relax down on the beach,” he says, glancing over to Titus and Priya for their affirmation.
“Absolutely,” Priya exclaims. “There’s a wonderful restaurant called Cafe Syreni that makes the best burgers in the entire universe. No joke. You two should have lunch and spend the afternoon lounging like lizards on the hot sand.”
I glance at Zora. “What do you think?”
She looks almost apologetic. “Amell used to tell me tales of beaches and salty water where you’d float. I’d love to see it if it’s not too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all,” Priya says. “I’ve got bathing suits you can borrow.”
“You good with that?” I ask, turning to Carrick. Because as much as a shower with my beautiful man is like one of the best things I could ask for, time with my sister is honestly just as good.
“I think it’s a great idea,” he assures me. “And Titus, Priya, Caiden, and I are going to go over some planning for the ritual.”
“Planning?” I ask with a frown. “Shouldn’t I be there?”
“Probably.” Carrick takes my hand, gives it a squeeze. “But I think it’s more important you and Zora go hang out. You’re not going to miss much anyway. We’re going to talk about drafting some annihilators to join the battle.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” I exclaim, looking from Caiden, to Titus,