Runaway (The Knight Society #1)

I wasn’t left alone for long. Just as I was about to leave the Training Room, Ed and Avery strutted in dressed in their own training gear. Ed dropped the duffel bag he was carrying and marched over. His face was devoid of its usual happy-go-lucky grin and I felt unease build in my stomach as he drew near. Swinging out a hand in an overly dramatic gesture he pointed right at me.

“I challenge you to a fight to the death!” He proclaimed loudly. From across the room, Avery chucked something at the back of Ed’s head.

“Stop being such an overdramatic arse.” He called out. Rubbing the back of his head Ed glared over his shoulder.

“I was trying to liven things up a little, thanks for ruining it you grumpy old man.” Rolling his eyes Avery began to wrap his hands.

“I’m only seven months older than you,” Avery replied. Clutching at his chest Ed pretended to swoon.

“How are you still alive? You’re positively ancient!” Avery shot Ed a dirty look but otherwise remained silent. Turning back to me Ed offered me a hand, helping me off the floor. “Now as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted.” From across the room Avery let out a snort. Ignoring him Ed led me across the room to where he had deposited his duffel bag. “I know you’re probably exhausted from sparring all day but do you have it in you for two more rounds?” He asked. I glanced between them noting their eager expressions and shuffled my feet slightly.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea…” In fact I was positive it wasn’t. Every time I had sparred with someone my age in the past whatever tentative friendship we had built up to that point usually crumbled. People don’t like being beaten. Defeat makes people vengeful and jealous, a combination which I had been on the receiving end of multiple times.

“Oh come on! Please!!” Ed begged, breaking out the puppy dog eyes and everything. I felt my resolve begin to crumble under his pleading. Avery silent expectant staring from the corner did nothing to help either.

“Fine.” I conceded. Ed let out a cheer and Avery went back to wrapping his hands. “But don’t go running to your mothers when I kick both of your arses.” Ed chuckled softly, a challenge sparking to life in his eyes.

“Don’t be so sure you’re going to win Miss Prodigy. The way I see it you’ve been sparring all day and are about ready to drop whereas the two of us are in peak condition. I’d say we have more than a fighting chance.” It was true. I was more than ready to pass out on my bed, but what they didn’t know was that I had been trained to endure longer periods of battle and that nothing got my blood roaring like fighting. Already I could feel the exhaustion slipping away in the face of another fight. Still my father’s words rang through my head

‘Don’t get arrogant or you’ll get yourself killed.’

It would be foolish to underestimate Ed and Avery. Stretching out my muscles I made my way over to the mat again.

“Alright then, who’s up first?” I glanced between them. Ed stepped forward, cocky grin in place.

“Prepare to taste defeat.” He said and I laughed.

“In your dreams.” I positioned myself opposite Ed and settled into an easy stance. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Avery standing nearby smug expression still in place, silently watching. Bringing my attention back to Ed I raised an eyebrow and he gave me a small nod. The smiles slid of our faces and excitement tingled down my spine. The battle had begun. Without warning I launched at him, fist swinging directly at his face.

He quickly ducked out of the way and swung a foot straight for my stomach. Using my momentum I quickly spun around and blocked the kick then countered with my own. He tried to dodge again but I was too quick this time and ended up hitting his leg. He stumbled for a moment but quickly regained his balance. Around and around we went trading blows. It was different from the usual kind of sparring I did. Underneath the serious veneer there was an undercurrent of fun and soon enough we were grinning across at each other. Striking out with my fist I aimed for his stomach and he just barely dodged the blow. Left with no choice but to follow through with the move I only just dodged a kick aimed at my head. Seizing the opportunity I dropped to the floor and swept his legs out from under him. With a startled yelp his footing gave way and he crashed to the ground. Scrambling to my feet I leapt on top of him and pinned his arms and legs down.

“Bit out of practice are we?” I teased. He grinned up at me and wrapped his legs around my body. We rolled over and suddenly he was on top of me pinning me down. Grinning down at me he chuckled.

“You were saying?” I laughed and he stood up and held out a hand. Seizing it I sprung up as well and began to straighten my clothes. At some point Avery’s amused expression had turned into a scowl but I decided to ignore it.

“So was it everything you expected?” I asked and Ed turned back to me. Wrapping an arm around my shoulders he pulled me close to him.

“It was so much more sweetheart.” Laughing I shoved him with my side. Avery marched past us not even bothering to look at either of us.

“My turn.” He rumbled grumpily over his shoulder. Ed looked at Avery’s back amusement clear on his face. Slipping free of his grip I walked over to the mat once again.

“Sorry sweetheart, looks like I have a grumpy bear to fight.” I said jerking a thumb in Avery’s direction and Ed sent me a wicked grin.

“Kick his arse!” He called out. Shaking my head I took my position opposite Avery. Crouching, I prepared for his attack. He settled into his attack position and all the light-heartedness seemed to drain from the room. That familiar itch to fight teased its way across my skin and I so desperately needed to scratch.

Lightning fast Avery’s leg swung out and I swiftly dodged a blow to the chest. Reciprocating I aimed for his face and ended up just grazing it with my knuckles. Jumping back we circled each other waiting for the next round of attacks. I blocked a punch to the stomach and a jab to the jaw and had my own kick to the temple and punch to the side dodged. On and on we went dodging and blocking blows, neither of us landing a solid blow.

Halfway through a kick to the side everything went pear-shaped. My vision swam and every bone in my body turned to mush. Not even able to support my own weight I fell to the floor landing on the mat with a thud. White noise filled my ears and spots danced in my vision. In my mind I knew the H-toxin had finally worn off and, of course, this was the eventual crash I knew was going to happen, but I could barely focus over the pounding in my head. Tremors racked my body and nausea climbed up my throat. So I did the only thing I could do, I shut my eyes, curled up into a ball and waited out the storm.

Once again I woke up in that damn hospital bed. A habit I really needed to kick. This time, however, I was granted the courtesy of not being chained down. As soon as I sat up all my senses blasted me. Like someone had turned the volume up as high as it would go. The lights were too bright, all the voices in the room were too loud and the slightest smell made me feel violently ill. Clapping my hands over my ears, I squeezed my eyes shut and mumbled the word ‘lights’ over and over hoping someone in the room got the message. Finally my senses seemed to settle down and I cracked my eyes open to a thankfully dim room. Removing my hands, I surveyed the room Uncle John stood by the doorframe a scowl on his face. He knew this was going to happen, in fact he’d seen it before so he knew there was no reason to worry but he still didn’t looked pleased in the slightest. Raising my hand I made a drinking gesture and he tossed me a bottle of water from the nearby table. Taking a long gulp of the chilly water, I sighed and pressed the cold bottle to my overheated skin. Closing my eyes once again, I let myself simply enjoy the feeling of coolness. Pushing away the world and all my problems for just a moment. The silence was peaceful and even though I knew it wasn’t going to last for long, I soaked it up for all it was worth. Someone cleared their throat softly and I opened my eyes.

“I’m fine.” I croaked and took another swig of water. Uncle John huffed from his position by the door.

“No you aren’t and you bloody well know it.” He rumbled and I flinched slightly at his tone. “How many doses of H-toxin was it this time huh? Ten? Twelve?” I scowled at him.

“You know it was thirteen.” He met my scowl with his own but I refused to wither under the ferocity of his.

“You’ve got to stop this Jack! Stop training till you drop.” I opened my mouth to protest but he cut me off. “Don’t even dare trying to deny it. I told you I didn’t want to do this, I was against it from the very start. I should have put my foot down then but I’m doing it now.” Leaping off the bed I ignored the sudden wave of dizziness.

“You know this is the only way I can train! The only way I can get any better!” I said through gritted teeth.

“That might be true but I’ll be damned if I do it again. I’m not going to help you destroy yourself like this. It’s not right and no matter what you think Thomas wouldn’t have approved of what you’re doing either.” Ice chilled my veins and tiny blades stabbed at my heart.

“This has nothing to do with Thomas.” I said, my voice low and deadly. “How dare you try and make this about him.” Uncle John’s face lost its earlier anger. He regarded me sadly which only made me angrier.

“It has everything to do with him Squirt.” He said softly. “You just can’t see that.” Turning away he opened the door slightly before looking back over his shoulder. “Don’t ask me again. I meant what I said. I won’t help you destroy yourself.” Walking out of the room he shut the door behind him softly.