Chapter 35 Sybil
Sybil
Kieran was not happy. He made that incredibly clear when he abruptly rose from his chair, directing everyone into the forest to begin my training early.
Samian, Daelan, and I quickly changed back into our uniforms before we were hauled off to our meeting spot in the woods.
I knew he wouldn’t be happy about my meeting Hale, but it didn’t truly register until he ordered me to form a sword with my magic, took the shimmering blade from my hands, and gave it to Samian.
Kieran then came back to me, giving me one of his own swords.
“Since you haven’t gotten a handle on your magic, we will train you to use both like Samian suggested last time,” Kieran said, his voice hard.
There was none of his usual playfulness or lingering touches.
No, he was all business, his expression stern.
“You’ll train with my weapon so you can learn its weight in case there's a time when you’re not able to use your magic to create your own weapons.
While you and I are training, you must keep your magic steady so that the sword Samian holds doesn’t disappear. Got it?”
Ezra gave me a smile full of pity, and I inwardly groaned. “Yes,” I said, my shoulders sagging.
“Yes, what?” Kieran asked with narrowed eyes.
“I’m not going to call you sir if that’s what you’re looking for.
I’ll apologize for meeting Hale without telling anyone.
However, I will not apologize or feel guilty about seeing him.
” I tried pointing the blade’s tip toward Kieran’s chest, but the weight was heavier than I’d thought, and the end pointed downward.
I frowned at the weapon before looking back to Kieran, who smirked.
“Now, shut up, and dish out your punishment.”
The smile on Kieran’s face grew sharp. “As you wish, Princess.”
Kieran’s nickname had me cursing under my breath as Daelan snorted behind me. I grabbed the hilt with both hands and moved into position. Ezra came over, checked my stance, and adjusted my legs and arms until they were where they needed to be. Once Ezra was done, he nodded toward Kieran.
“Kieran wants to see how much you have learned in the past few days. You two are going to spar a little.” I swallowed, my nerves clawing at my chest, but Ezra leaned closer to whisper in my ear. “He will take it easy on you, so you have nothing to worry about.”
A low growl rumbled in the distance, and I fought to keep my patience from breaking.
I thanked Ezra quietly before he backed away, positioning himself to watch while giving me instructions.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied my pounding heart, pushing away my nerves.
I glanced over toward Samian, to the glowing sword in his hands.
It was still there, still shining brightly.
I couldn’t help the smile that rose as pride and hope swelled in my chest.
Finally, I looked back at Kieran and nodded. I was ready for this, ready to prove what I could do.
Kieran’s legs tensed, and that was the only sign I had before he was in front of me, his sword swinging down.
I swore, pulling the blade up to meet Kieran’s attack.
Samian called my name behind me, warning me of my magic faltering, and the sword I created almost disappearing.
I pushed away from Kieran so I could refocus on my magic when he came at me again, this time swinging low.
“I thought you weren’t going to go all out,” I hissed at him, moving out of reach.
Kieran attacked, and I raised my blade just in time. “Do you think an enemy is going to take it easy on you just because you don’t know how to fight?”
“I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it.” I arched my blade, letting his slide off as I whirled, sending my sword across his middle.
Kieran jumped back, while he let out a dark chuckle. “You might as well have. You will not grow if I take it easy on you. We don’t have the option of letting you learn at a normal pace. The war is here now, and you need to be ready for whatever comes your way.”
Releasing a sharp exhale, I brought my sword up in front of me, determination coiling tight inside my chest. I understood where Kieran was coming from; I knew what he meant beneath his harsh words.
I was weak when I came into this realm, and I let Ambrose manipulate me right into his hands.
I gave him a part of me I should have protected.
But that wasn’t me anymore, and I would never allow myself to be that female again.
I lunged toward Kieran, swinging my blade, running through the motions he and Ezra taught me over the past few days.
Kieran met my attack each time while Ezra called out instructions for me to follow.
Our sparring only lasted thirty minutes, when I could no longer hold up Kieran’s sword without trembling, and the glimmering sword in Samian’s hands kept wavering.
Sweat poured down my face, and my breathing came out in rough pants.
When Ezra called for us to take a break, I wobbled toward a laughing Samian, taking the cup of water he handed to me.
I moved to a rock, downing the water in one go before lying back against the cool stone. My breathing was still uneven when Kieran and Samian sat on either side of me. I heard steps coming to a stop in front of me, and I pushed up on my elbows, meeting Vivi and Ezra’s proud faces.
“You did well,” Ezra said while crossing his arms. “You still need to work on your form, but I think at this point, it’s just working on it like we did today.”
“You were able to focus enough magic to keep your sword from dissipating, too,” Vivi said happily.
“I think it’s the excitement of today,” I said, breathing out a laugh. “Talking to Solaris really helped. Where did Daelan go?”
“Ivara came back from her estate not too long ago. He ran off to check in with her, but I mostly think it was so he could check in with Aster and meet Bryony,” Samian said, shaking his head.
I snorted and sat up, my breathing finally returning to normal. A part of me felt sympathetic for Aster, knowing that Daelan was probably driving her up a wall, but I couldn’t help but think this was fate’s revenge for the stunt she pulled last night.
Kieran stood, the hard glint in his eyes finally gone as he reached out his hand. “Come on, we will head back to the—”
The leaves rustled to my left, and everyone’s head whipped in that direction.
A beautiful female stood at the edge of the clearing.
She had long, flowing blonde hair that fell to the tops of her thighs, with eyes so blue they were almost white.
Her skin was so pale that there was a twinge of blue to her complexion.
The white dress she wore hung loosely around her, delicate and graceful. I stared in awe of her.
I stood, opening my mouth to speak, when Samian cut me off to push me behind him. I felt the air grow heavy, and Kieran let out a curse.
“Who is that?” I asked hesitantly, unable to look away from the female.
“Not who…” Vivi murmured while she slowly pulled out a dagger, “…what. That is a leech born of a vampire and a faerie.” Turning, she remarked, “Kieran, I can only sense one.”
“I know,” he growled, his head turning to scan the rest of the clearing.
“Sybil, keep your guard up,” Samian said stiffly. “These types of faeries always hunt in groups. Whatever happens, do not let them catch you. They will render your magic useless if they touch or bite you.”
“Fuck that,” Kieran shot back. “Get Sybil out of here. It’s too dangerous, and she’s used up too much of her magic already.”
Samian moved toward me, his hand stretching out to whisk me away, but my anger soared. I refused to be hidden away like some damsel or shoved away while everyone put themselves in danger. “You may be my mate, but if you touch me, I will punch you in the throat. I’m staying here.”
“You’ll only get in our way if you stay,” Kieran forced out through gritted teeth, a steady eye on the female in front of us.
“Last I checked, you were the one pushing me to learn quickly to prepare for this war. How am I supposed to learn if you send me away?” I quipped back. If the only way to learn was to fight, then I wasn’t going anywhere.
“This really isn’t the time for arguing,” Vivi murmured, reprimanding us both in that motherly way of hers.
More leaves crunched, though this time, it was right behind me.
I twisted and sucked in a breath while stepping into Samian’s back.
A female with flaming-red hair stood in front of me.
Her skin was pale like the other females, but the veins around her eyes began to turn black, the inky color taking over her bright green irises.
The female smiled, her lips stretching from ear to ear, showing off her sharp, jagged teeth.
She tilted her head to the side, her hungry gaze raking down my body and back up again.
I swallowed, a shiver shooting down my spine.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly let it out, concentrating on my magic to form my sword.
My body strained against the use of my power so soon after training, but I pushed through it, feeling the warmth gather in my hands.
I wrapped my fingers tight around the hilt and moved the sword in front of me while I stared down the female.
Dread curled inside me, part of me regretting my decision when the female let out a sickening laugh.
Four more females entered the clearing then, blocking off any chance to run. Kieran, Ezra, and Samian cursed, but Vivi moved closer to me, raising her dagger.
“Stay close to me,” she whispered. Nodding, I suddenly felt like I was in way over my head, but I shoved that thought down deep before it could take root in my mind. I was getting better during my training and becoming stronger. I could take this faerie. I knew I could.