Chapter 23 #2
Levi’s absence was a gaping hole. Isla’s smiles had returned, but she wasn’t the same bubbly presence.
Patrick was quiet, and the two of them were careful not to sit next to each other.
Damien was around in the Gym, his usual joking self, but when we weren’t in the Gym, he was nowhere to be found.
Rumi seemed busy with her new duties and her witching hour shift.
Ingrid was a ghost, only around when necessary.
Had Rumi’s words really upset her that much?
It seemed like more than that. She constantly seemed tired and distracted.
Without my permission, I cared about them. In that admittance my heart sat in a vise grip as I incessantly monitored Unit Seven, waiting for a threat that might arrive that I couldn’t protect them from.
As we left breakfast, Tristian informed us that we had the mats—everyone except Rumi and Patrick, who had the morning off after their night shift.
Tristian seemed tense about it; I wondered if he had been avoiding the mats like I had been, if they reminded him of Levi, if it was painful to be there without him.
Isla and Ingrid sparred first. It was an unfair matchup, but I quickly realized it was strategic as they both simply went through the motions, no real fight to either of them.
I was paired with some girl with bright blond hair who attempted to armbar me, only for me to get out of it before getting her into a choke hold to make her tap.
Damien had the unfortunate luck of being paired with Jaxon.
Jaxon was taller than Damien. He seemed to have the upper hand, but to Damien’s credit, he wasn’t a pushover, counterstriking and adapting to Jaxon’s moves. Then there was a flurry of movement, and Damien doubled over.
“Taylor,” Tristian bellowed, making his way onto the mat, partners scurrying out of his way. Isla rushed across the mat, dropping to her knees as she grabbed on to Damien, who held his stomach, gasping for air. “What part of friendly sparring do you not understand?”
“It’s not my fault he can’t handle it,” Jaxon shot back.
Tristian stopped, and the movement on the mats came to a halt with him. He ripped a band from his wrist, pulling his hair up as he rolled his shoulder. “Did you forget Lyssa’s warning?”
“People can’t get better without a challenge, Commander Hayes,” Jaxon retorted.
“You want a challenge, Taylor?” Tristian asked, closing the distance.
“Hayes,” Ingrid warned.
Tristian ignored her, all of his focus on Jaxon, whose smug smile faltered. Tristian noted it, grinning, and my breath caught. Tristian leaned closer to him. “Scared?”
Jaxon shrugged it off, coming into a fighting stance. It was rigid though. I found sick pleasure in that. “You sure, Hayes?” Ingrid asked.
Tristian nodded.
“Until someone taps. No faces,” Kaleo called out, striding onto the mat. There was excitement in his voice. Tristian rolled his neck, approaching Jaxon. There wasn’t an ounce of tension to him, his eyes flattening. A chill quaked through me.
It started slow. The two of them circled each other, Jaxon tense while Tristian marked his opponent—sizing him up. Uncovering weaknesses.
“Any day now, ladies,” Kaleo said, bored.
“Speaking of ladies,” Jaxon began. My heart picked up its pace. Tristian’s shoulders went taut, but he didn’t look away. “It bothers you, doesn’t it.” Jaxon continued the slow circling. An audience slowly gathered around the mats. “The number of times I’ve had her on her knees, moaning my name.”
Tristian’s chest heaved as my face reddened. He didn’t take the bait. The audience looked between me and the fight. So did Jaxon, his eyes gleaming. It was a mistake that cost him. Tristian punched Jaxon in the ribs so forcefully that it took my breath away.
Jaxon grabbed at his side. Again, Tristian took advantage, another hit connecting. Jaxon stumbled.
“Pathetic,” Kaleo ridiculed. His words sent Jaxon forward, a fist connecting with Tristian’s face. My head whipped toward Kaleo, but he didn’t stop it—his teeth flashing. Red ran from Tristian’s eyebrow. Jaxon’s eyes went wide, impressed with himself.
In that moment Tristian had an opening; he could have knocked Jaxon out. Instead, he took Jaxon to the ground, landing with a force that echoed around the Gym. Kaleo crouched, smiling wider.
The match became one-sided the moment their bodies hit the mat. Within seconds, Jaxon tapped, but Tristian didn’t let go. Jaxon’s elbow pressed at an odd angle. If Tristian wanted, he could snap it. He zeroed in on the stressed joint like maybe he would.
“He tapped,” Ingrid called out.
Tristian applied a little more pressure until the skin around the joint blanched. “I tap. I tap,” Jaxon shouted, his swaggering demeanor gone.
“It’s not fun when someone picks on you, is it?” Tristian spat. Jaxon muttered something incoherent. “It’s a different fear when your fate sits in the hands of someone who doesn’t play by the rules.”
“I get it. I tap. Fuck, you win—” Jaxon yelped as Tristian added more pressure. He was going to snap it. “Kaleo, do something.”
Kaleo didn’t chime in, his dark gaze victorious.
“They don’t call me Hades for just my kill count,” Tristian warned brutally. I didn’t breathe at the fury radiating off him. I had never seen him so unhinged. “I should snap your arm, finish your time in the Force. You won’t speak of Cadell again. Do you understand me?”
“Fine,” Jaxon repeated.
“Say it,” Tristian growled.
“I won’t talk about Cadell again,” Jaxon almost whimpered.
I sucked in a sharp breath at the look in those green eyes. Tristian’s head snapped up, finding me. He released Jaxon’s arm, pushing off of him.
“Be thankful I’m not you,” Tristian bit out, standing over him. “Come after one of mine again, Taylor, and I’ll show exactly how I got my call sign. I won’t fucking hesitate.”
Tristian stormed to the edge of the mat, coming up to Kaleo, who wasn’t grinning anymore. He stood assessing, reevaluating the threat, like he had underestimated Tristian.
“Is this what you wanted? Raising a mini version of you?” Tristian demanded, blood dripping from his eyebrow. I should have a look at it.
Kaleo finally grinned. “I’m just glad to know Hades is still in there. I thought we’d lost him.”
“Sorenson, unit’s yours today.” Tristian didn’t look back as he stalked off.
“Sasha,” Isla called. The way she said it, I was moving toward her. She hovered over Damien. My heart hit my throat as tears gathered in his eyes. My stomach bottomed out.
He clutched his left ankle.