Runaway (The Knight Society #1)

If anyone was surprised at my decision to stay they managed to keep it to themselves. I expected a smug smile from Pierre upon our return to the Commons Room but all I got was a slight nod and a good morning. Uncle John went off to serve his breakfast leaving me in a somewhat awkward silence with Pierre. Avery was nearby chatting away with Ed and Victoria although upon my arrival he glanced up and gave me a small smile before shifting his attention back to them. I shifted in my seat trying to shake off the feeling that I had something to feel guilty about. Unaware of my inner turmoil Pierre sipped his coffee and read the morning newspaper like he had all the time in the world. I on the other hand could hear the grains of sand pouring through the hour glass in my head. Just over a day until my parents arrived and I was itching to start preparing. I shifted once more and the corner of Pierre’s mouth quirked.

“Got somewhere to be Jack?” he asked not bothering to glance up from the paper. I traded shifting for tapping my fingers on the table.

“What time do my parents arrive?” I asked quietly hoping that they had somehow miraculously been delayed by a freak storm or something. My hope was quickly shot in the face.

“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said and I tried not to groan. Not enough time but then again there would never be enough time to prepare for those two tyrants. Uncle John sat down opposite us, his plate stacked full with as much food as possible. When I raised an eyebrow he merely shrugged.

“You have seen me eat a lot more.” I grinned.

“Actually I was thinking you were eating rather light this morning. On some sort of diet are you?” I quipped and he chuckled. He began to devour the food mountain and my impatience increased. By the time he was halfway through his meal I was practically bouncing out of my chair with nervous energy.

“What’s going on Squirt? You’re practically shaking the table with the way you keep on jumping around.” Uncle John said. I sighed and tried to still my body.

“My parents arrive tomorrow afternoon.” I replied.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, so please tell me you have the day off.” His expression darkened and I knew he understood exactly what I was getting at.

“Are you sure about this Squirt?” he asked softly. Pierre continued reading the paper but there was little doubt in my mind that he was also eavesdropping like most of the table. Avery, Ed and Victoria weren’t even being subtle about it and were staring right at us.

“You know the first thing they’ll want to do is test me. I need to prepare and the sooner we start the better.” I said and Uncle John scowled.

“Then shouldn’t you take the day off to rest?” he asked but I could see that he knew this was the only way. I stared him down until finally he sighed and raised his hands in defeat. “Fine but know that I am one-hundred percent against this.” I reached across the table and placed my hand on top of his.

“Thankyou.” I said and he grumbled under his breath. Pierre finally gave up all pretence that he was actually reading the newspaper and placed it on the table.

“What exactly are you preparing for?” he asked and everyone around us stopped talking to listen to my answer. I grimaced.

“My family reunion.”

Twenty minutes later I stood in the training room feeling horribly underdressed. My typical workout gear consisted of a black sports bra and work out shorts and usually I had no problems wearing it. Today however, with almost fifty people watching from the overhead balcony the lack of clothing made me a tad nervous. With barely anything covering me, the scars that were usually hidden were now in plain view. Faded claw marks ran across my stomach, down my arms, over my legs and down my back. Some so small you had to be up close to notice them, others, like the one of my stomach big enough to notice from across a room. The faint white lines were all reminders of the close calls I’d had over the past two years. I had received the ones on my stomach soon after Thomas’ death. Back when I didn’t care if I lived or died. Several mongrels had cornered me and I was lucky to have escaped with my life that night.

Upon noticing my scars the room exploded with voices. Thanks to the H-toxin pretty much everyone in the Society had skin as smooth as a new-born babies. My collection of slashes was an oddity and I wondered about the rumours that would be circulating by the end of the day. The voices didn’t bother me though. I was proud of each and every white line. To me they were battle wounds and I was unashamed to display them as a symbol of who I was. Of what I had survived. Thomas would have approved.

Uncle John took note of my appearance in silence, his jaw tightened and sadness filled his eyes but he made no comment. He simply tossed me the wrap for my hands and set about doing his own. After securing the fabric around my fists I wrapped the final piece of fabric around my eyes, successfully cutting off my vision. Excited whispers started up once again at the addition of this new accessory but I blocked them out. Settling into a defensive position I focused on my opponent.

“Same rules as usual. You knock me on my arse, you win. You can’t get up anymore, I win.” Uncle John called out. Across the room I could hear his soft breathing, sense the way that he prepared to attack. There was a slight squeak of the mat and I knew what was coming. Listening intently I focused on the sounds around me. The lack of sight heightened my other senses and after a moment’s hesitation I ducked to the right. Air whooshed past me as I just barely dodged Uncle John’s attack. Excited chatter started up again but once again I pushed it away on focused on my opponent’s movements. Another squeak and the shifting of clothing was my only clue. I dodged to the left this time but was a fraction too late and was clipped by Uncle John’s foot. The blow sent me staggering back a few paces and hurt like hell. Knowing how bad the full force of one of his blows felt like I was glad I had missed the brunt of it.

“Focus Jack.” Uncle John said, his voice low and commanding. Gone was the cheery man who called me Squirt and had kissed all my hurts better. In his place was John Whinston, Master Knight. Shaking the blow off I forced myself to concentrate and let my instincts take over.

Left, right, up, down. I dodged blow after blow, and received just as many. I heaved breath into my lungs, one of which I was pretty sure was bruised after a particularly vicious kick to the chest. The last blow had left my ears ringing and my head dizzy but I pushed through it, determined not to lose. Uncle John left me no time to recover and launched at me again. It was easier to detect his movements now because of his heavy breathing. Though the punches still hurt they weren’t nearly as bad as they were at the beginning and his movements were somewhat slower. He was tiring and I knew it was my chance to attack. Dodging another punch to the jaw I scurried back slightly and waited for him to approach. He rushed at me again and my instincts told me he was aiming for another kick to the stomach. Instead of dodging this time I walked into the kick, deflecting the brunt of it with a block of my arms. Off balance he struggled to regain his footing and I struck. Aiming for what I hoped was his chest I swung out my leg and smiled as it connected with soft flesh. He toppled to the ground with a loud thump and I grinned.

Reaching up I tugged off the blindfold and squinted at the sudden bright light. Letting my eyes adjust I focused on the figure on the ground which was grinning up at me. Holding out a hand I helped him up and he gave me a soft pack on the back.

“Not bad Squirt. Not bad at all.” It was then I realised that the room was awfully quiet. Glancing up I took in the shocked expressions of the people on the balcony. They all stared at me in amazement and I felt heat infuse my cheeks. Victoria raised her hands to her mouth and called out loudly breaking the silence.

“Go Jack!” her voice broke whatever spell had been cast over the room and everyone broke out into applause. Loud cheers echoed around the room and I glanced back down at the mat, unsure what to do with myself. I glanced at Uncle John who was staring at me, pride shining like a beacon on his face. That only embarrassed me more and instead I focused on unwrapping my hands. The cheers died down and thankfully people began to stream out of the training room. My lung hurt even worse now and every breath was an effort, bruises probably covered every inch of my skin but I barely even registered the pain under the immense feeling of pride.

“Jack!!” A voice called out behind me and I turned just in time to catch a leaping Victoria. She crashed into me and I stumbled backwards, one of my legs giving out under our combined weight. With effort I steadied the both of us and set her back down on the ground. Ed and Avery trailed over both looking thoroughly impressed. “That was so cool!” Victoria squealed. I smiled softly down at her or at least tried to, the pain in my chest made it quite difficult. Ed slung an arm over my shoulder.

“I have to admit, I doubted you were as good as they said. But after seeing that.” He let out a low whistle. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.” He drawled and I laughed but it dissolved into a coughing fit. At some point during my hacking fit, my legs gave out and I held myself up on all fours. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and I spat it onto the mat. At the sight of the blood Avery, Ed and Victoria all began to panic and I flipped over into a sitting position. Uncle John padded over from his bag and held out a vial of H-toxin.

“This is exactly why I said I didn’t want to do this.” He grumbled. I slid the needle into my arm and pushed on the plunger. The cool liquid filled my veins and I could feel my wounds begin to repair themselves. Closing my eyes I focused on my breathing until the last of the pain drifted away. Cracking them back open I accepted Uncle John’s hand and began to stretch out my tense muscles.

“I know.” I said. “But it had to be done. You know tomorrow is going to be ten times worse.” He grumbled under his breath again but I ignored him. Grumpy old man.

“So what are you preparing for exactly?” Avery asked. I glanced up at his assessing blue eyes and all of a sudden I remembered my practically naked state. Pushing the thought away I shifted uncomfortably on my feet.

“My parents don’t exactly have the most conventional method of training.” Uncle John snorted loudly and I shot him a smile. It was the understatement of the century but these guys would figure that out soon enough. “So today was a warm up of sorts in preparation for the main event tomorrow.” Avery frowned and he opened his mouth to say something more but Ed beat him to it.

“Damn girl, you must have some really hard core parents.” He said and Uncle John and I laughed loudly.

“Oh you have no idea.”