Chapter 20 Annalise
Chapter twenty
Annalise
The last few days have been the best.
Matt had seriously thought of everything—there were contingencies upon contingencies for every possible mock-attack. It was impressive and intimidating that anyone’s mind can think through all of those variables.
The Environmental Tactics simulations were even fun.
We got to simulate white-water rafting on a river that’s only about an hour from here.
The goal was to scout for ideal camp locations based on the terrain and vegetation that we learned about last week.
Luckily, the simulation was based in the summer, so the temperatures made it feel like a vacation away from the quickly dropping temperatures in real life.
Sunday, our group, including Antonio and James, went into the city to pick up our lab supplies and check out the cute weekend pop-up market downtown. Vendors were selling everything under the sun: Honey, caviar, clothes, books, you name it, they probably had it.
Sasha and I ooo’d and aww’d over some dogs in the animal adoption booth after the owner let us come in and cuddle all of their faces.
If pets weren’t forbidden at Scion, I would have brought the sweetest, saggy-faced pup I named Droopy back with me.
I don’t know what breed he was, but James was adamant Droopy would be too big for me to hide for long. Party pooper.
We tried food at almost every food stand, and by the time we got back, we were all too full to even consider eating dinner.
My run was as peaceful as the weekend, and I even saw a couple of dragons flying in the distance when I was out toward the riding grounds. No riders in sight, I imagined them enjoying the stillness up there the way I do down here.
Knocking on Sasha’s door for formation, I expect her usual sleepiness to greet me, but she’s up and humming as she ties her hair back and grabs her bag.
“What has you so happy?”
“What? I’m always this happy,” she says too quickly.
“Uh huh. So it wouldn’t have anything to do with the hand touching and ‘fuck-me’ eyes between you and Antonio all day yesterday?”
She spins, her mouth opening in shock, eyes wide. “We were NOT giving, uhm, those types of eyes!” She protests, but the blush spreading across her cheeks makes it obvious I hit the nail on the head.
In a whisper so quiet I almost don’t hear it, she says, “I think I really like him, Lee.” Before she slaps her hand over her mouth like she can’t believe she just admitted it out loud.
“I know you do, Sash. Wanna know a secret?”
“Of course!”
“He likes you, too,” I beam at her. “So maybe one of you should tell the other one. And then, you could do more than look at each other in that way.”
This time, instead of slapping her hand over her mouth, she slaps my arm.
“What has you two all giggly?” Matt asks when we meet him at the Parade Grounds.
“Nothing!” Sasha shouts as we take our places in formation.
Thankfully, we didn’t have any deaths or major injuries over the weekend, so accountability goes pretty fast.
Walking with Perry to the Combat Arena, I’m filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. I’ve managed to avoid seeing Captain Korr since I snuck out of the infirmary last week to avoid him; a minor detail I haven’t told anyone.
But how am I supposed to face him after last week? The flirting I did at the start of class, followed by the humiliating reaction I had when he was simply doing his job.
Luckily, Ariel is waiting for us by my stretching wall, so Perry and I make a beeline to her, not having to look around and risk potentially making eye contact with Korr.
“You’ve been grouped based on your barracks for sparring today, so you’ll all learn early on not to underestimate the people you sleep next to.” The sound of Captain Korr’s voice makes everyone else immediately stop talking.
“You will rotate pairs in the pit at each buzzer. Some barracks have fewer recruits than others. If everyone in your group has sparred, find a new partner and go again. Now, start stretching.
“Miss Corvin, a word, please.”
Well, there goes any chance of avoidance.
“Of course, Sir.” Not a hint of last week’s flirtation is left in my voice, but I can’t help but remember his reaction to the way I called him Sir last week. The way his pupils blew, the way he—
Nope. Focus Annalise.
I follow him to the North side of the arena, where his office and the practically abandoned locker rooms are.
Stepping into his office, I'm surprised by how impersonal the space is.
Three white walls and one navy are all unadorned.
The only hint of this office belonging to anyone is his gym bag on a chair in the corner of the room, and a silver-framed photo of him and one of the most stunning women on his desk.
Her long blonde hair waves perfectly around her face, framing her delicate, pale features and spattered freckles that kiss her nose and cheeks.
She’s in his arms, legs wrapped around him, bodies pressed together like they were making out until someone told them to smile at the camera.
Fucking great. Is it still considered homewrecking when I didn’t know he was in a relationship?
Even if he wasn’t flirting, which I am pretty positive he was, the blatant checking out of my ass was definitely not innocent. What an ass!
Korr gestures for me to take a seat, but I ignore him and stand, leaning against the wall closest to the door for easy escape. Any respect I had for him has gone out the window, and I want this conversation over before it even starts.
Thankfully, he doesn’t push it and just sits on the desk instead of taking his own seat.
“Miss Corvin, I wanted to check on you and talk about what happened last week.” He sounds hesitant, almost apologetic.
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. Healers gave me a great tonic, and I was all healed up before dinner.” Even I can hear that my voice is clipped and my answers concise.
I’m pretty sure I hear him mumble “Of course you’re fine” under his breath before he speaks up.
“I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better. About your—” he pauses, looking for the right words. “state after the course—”
I knew this was coming, but I tense anyway. Maybe I should apologize for my reaction, but I don’t want to relive a single second of it, let alone explain it.
“I apologize, Sir, but I would rather not discuss it. I’ve been checked out and cleared to be back in the ring. Friday’s class was a one-off and will not happen again.”
He looks like he wants to say something, but before he can, I add, “If there is nothing else, Sir, I would like to get in a quick stretch before sparring with my partner.”
“Oh, uhm, yes, of course, Miss Corvin. Good luck.”
After assuring Perry and Ariel that everything’s fine, I try to mentally prepare to spar. Usually, I can push through each fight with minimal reaction because I lock it out like I used to when someone else was hitting me, but I can’t risk it today, knowing Korr is watching.
The black eye that’s already beginning to swell when I sprint to my room to shower after class is all the proof I need that my reflexes still aren’t quick enough in a fight. I need to work with Matt again, immediately. It’s the only way to get back on track.
At this point, what class don’t I need extra help with?
I head over to Combat Medicine early to talk with Healer Alric about my absence, and we set a time for me to come in on Thursday evening to make up the test I missed on the MARCH procedure—identifying immediate life threats before treatment.
After confirming Zeke and I were able to get all of our supplies for today, I’m dismissed.
When I spot Zeke, he’s waving from the table at the back of the class.
I weave through the cluster of other recruits that are trying to find their partners and tables, and eventually make my way back to him.
I don’t miss the looks at my black eye, or the girl who fails at her attempt to whisper, “Damn, I guess she really does like it rough. She should use some concealer at least.”
Fucking. Lucas.
Trying to beat the awkwardness of our last interaction by pretending everything’s normal, I start talking before I am even all the way to Zeke. “Hey! How was your weekend?”
“Not too bad, but I had a ton of studying hours to get in, and the library was packed, so I spent half the day on the hard floor. How about you? Other than supply shopping. Which, thanks again for doing all of that.”
“No problem. It was quick and easy.” I grin. “Plus, I took advantage of being in the city and stopped at their downtown market.”
“I didn't know they had a market here. Is it like a farmers' market or restaurants with food trucks? How was it?”
“A bit of both. I think it may have been the best food I’ve eaten in my entire life.” I laugh, reminiscing. “Probably the most I’ve ever eaten in a single day, too, but everything was so good, I couldn’t resist!
“I’m officially jealous. What were your favorites?”
“Ugh, I can’t pick! Maybe the tzatziki and pita chips?
Ooo or the salmon tartare? Ok, don’t laugh, but it actually might have been the footlong hot dog,” I admit as I partially cover my face.
Gods I’m a child. “Well, I had to split the hot dog because there was no way with all the other food I was eating that I could have finished it. But it was so juicy and cooked so it had barely started to split open.” I can’t help the little food moan that comes out.
“Ok, I lied. You can’t tell me anything else, my mouth is watering now, and we’re stuck here for the next two hours.” Then, he surprises me by asking, “So, who was the lucky bastard that got to try all that food with you?”
I seriously never know if he’s trying to flirt or if he’s still drooling over the food.
“There were like five of us, and we all ordered whatever sounded good and passed it around family style.”
“Oh, that sounds much better than my weekend. Maybe I shouldn’t have let you do all the shopping without me.”
“You can come to town with us next time we go, if you want?” I offer, because what else am I supposed to say to that?
Mentally, I’m begging Healer Alric to start class, something I never thought I’d say.
Too many minutes later, Healer Alric steps to the front and instructs us to open our books to page 27.
“Last week you proved that you know the procedure for doing MARCH; today you will implement it on your mannequin patients.” He pauses as he looks us all over, making sure we are keeping up with his instructions.
“Then, you will all demonstrate the correct application of combat tourniquets and wound packing for severe extremity hemorrhage before calling for me to grade.
“Mannequins are in the back. And be gentle with them, I don’t want blood all over my floor. Begin.”
“He doesn’t mean real blood, does he?” I whisper to Zeke as we get in line for our patient.
“Unfortunately, I’ve heard they each have their own blood pouches to make the exercise more lifelike.”
“Fighting for my fake patient not to bleed to death today was not what I was expecting for our first lab.”
“Told you he’d throw us into chaos. Are you any good at this stuff?” Zeke asks as he bridal carries our silicone friend back to our table.
“I wouldn’t say I’m good,” I admit. “But I’ve spent most of my study hours studying combat medicine, so I understand it in theory. I usually pick up on hands-on stuff fast, but if we have to measure anything precisely, please—for the love of the gods—take charge.”
“Okay, so not the baking type. Got it.”
“Oh, definitely not.” I wave a hand. “Everything I‘ve ever tried to bake has either burned horribly or come out as a weird, sludgy mess that even Droopy would turn his nose up at.”
“Droopy?”
“Never mind—just my future dog that I haven’t figured out how to kidnap or conceal quite yet.”
He raises an eyebrow. “All right. I’m going to leave that alone.”
“Probably best to be able to claim ignorance of my crimes.” I agree with a smile that he returns.
Maybe working with Zeke won’t be so bad.