Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout

13

The conversation with Zayne lingered in my mind the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, making it hard to focus on anything else.

The way Zayne had shut down after I’d brought up the half demon was telling, but so was the fact that he’d insinuated not all demons were evil. I couldn’t even process that.

Just like I couldn’t process that I’d actually talked to him about how I felt after killing Clay. It made me feel scratchy and uncomfortable in my own skin, because I shouldn’t feel anything after what I’d done last night other than acceptance. After all, Matthew and Thierry were right.

I was a weapon.

And a weapon didn’t feel bad for killing in self-defense.

I sighed as I rubbed my hands under my glasses. I had more important things to worry about than Zayne’s reactions or my suddenly sensitive feelings. Like the fact that Clay had been able to claw me. I needed to train harder and prepare better. I needed to figure out how to work without relying on my eyes, because I should’ve been faster than Clay. I should’ve been careful enough to keep space between us.

Peanut drifted over my bed, snagging my attention. He was swimming backward across the room. I really had no idea what to say about that.

“What are you doing?” I asked Peanut.

“Getting in my daily exercise.” He reached the curtained window. “I have to stay trim and fit.”

I lowered my hands. “Do ghosts gain weight?”

“Yes.” He started swimming back to me.

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“Are you a ghost?” he asked.

“No,” I sighed.

“Then how do you know?”

“I don’t need to be dead to understand that ghosts needing to stay in shape doesn’t logically or scientifically make sense.”

Peanut swam above my head. “Didn’t know you were a scientist. Should I start calling you Dr. Marrow?”

I rolled my eyes.

“I’m going to get abs like Hot Guy.” Stopping in the middle of my room, right under the ceiling fan, he started to do crunches.

“His name is Zayne.” My eyes widened with each crunch. Every time he sat up, the blade of the ceiling fan cut through his head.

“I’m going to be ripped,” Peanut continued, grunting with each sit-up. “I’ll have abs of steel. I’m going to be as big as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage.”

I stared at him.

“No pain, no gain,” he went on. “Sweat is glory.”

“Are you sweating?”

Peanut stopped and looked at me like I was half-dumb. “Ghosts don’t sweat.”

My mouth dropped open. “Do you even listen to yourself when you speak?”

“Not really,” he replied. “I can’t believe you told him I was in his room when you left.”

I smiled happily at the memory.

“I thought he was going to salt and sage the room.”

“Does that work?”

“It works when the Winchester brothers do it.”

I stared at him. “You’re a mess.”

Half of Peanut’s body disappeared as he grinned at me. “A hot mess.” He came down from the ceiling, stopping about a foot off the floor. “By the way, I did hear Thierry and Matthew talking about something weird.”

“And you’re now just saying something?”

“I’ve been busy, Trin. My scheduled is packed. As you just saw, I had to get my workout in—”

“What did you hear?” I interrupted.

“Not much.” His feet touched the floor. “I mean, it was this morning, when they were in their bedroom.”

“Peanut, I didn’t mean for you to go into their bedroom.”

He lifted his shoulders. “If anyone is going to have a secret squirrel conversation, they’re going to have it in their bedroom.” Peanut had a point, but still. “As I was saying, I heard them talking about making some kind of mistake. Matthew said that, but then Thierry was like, we weren’t the only ones that made a mistake.”

My brows knitted together. “Matthew said something similar last night. They didn’t say what the mistake was?”

He shook his head. “No, but then Thierry said there was nothing that can be done now. That it was already ‘righting’ itself. No clue what that means. You?”

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “I have no idea.”

“Are you going to the final ceremony tomorrow?” Jada asked as she walked toward the training facilities with me.

Squinting against the bright glare of the early-morning sun from behind my sunglasses, I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Thierry will want you there.” She looped her arm through mine. “And I want you there.”

“So you’re not suffering in boredom alone?”

Jada laughed. “Maybe.”

I shot her a long look, which just made her laugh harder. The final ceremony of the Accolade lasted hours. Between the speeches and the dinner, I would go stir-crazy, but since I hadn’t gone to any of the Accolade yet, I should probably show my face.

“I don’t have anything to wear,” I told her.

She snorted. “I have a dress you can borrow—and don’t look at me like that. I have plenty of dresses that will fit you.”

I groaned as I opened the door and we stepped out of the warm sun and into the cool interior hall.

“Where’s Misha, by the way?” Jada asked.

Pushing the sunglasses onto my head, I led the way. “He’s with Matthew. They’re interviewing the trainers to see if they can get any information...on Clay. See if he said anything about what he...he was planning to do.”

Jada shook her head as she slipped her arm free. “I still can’t believe it. Neither can Ty. I mean, the guy was a jerk, but I wouldn’t have suspected this.”

“Me, neither. I just... I don’t think we ever know what people are capable of.”

Jada fell quiet as she followed me past the numerous rooms that were occupied by Wardens. I was heading for the one Misha and I normally trained in, since it was usually open. “Do you think you should be out here? Without Misha? Not that you can’t defend yourself, obviously, but...”

“But Misha is busy, I’m tired of being in my room and the thing with Clay was isolated. At least, that’s what we think. And do you know what Peanut was doing all day yesterday?”

“God only knows.”

“He was swimming back and forth across my ceiling ‘working out.’” Shifting the leather satchel into the crook of my arm, I walked toward the windowless blue door. “He was doing sit-ups and jumping jacks while singing Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It.’ If I spend one more moment in there, I’m going to lose my mind.”

“What?” Jada choked on another laugh. “Oh my God, that is the most bizarre thing I’ve heard in a while.”

“Welcome to my life,” I muttered, yanking open the door and coming to a complete stop. “Oh.”

Jada bumped into me from behind. “Why are you...?” She trailed off as she saw what I saw, which was Zayne and Dez training.

They were unaware of us as Dez charged Zayne. The blond Warden spun out of his grasp with the agile grace of a dancer, darting under Dez’s outstretched arm. He popped up behind him, catching the older Warden by his shoulders as he dipped down. I had no idea how he did what he did next, because he was nothing but a blur of speed. In a heartbeat, he had Dez completely off the ground and held above his head. A second later, Zayne slammed Dez into the mat.

“Good Lord,” murmured Jada.

“Uh-huh.” I nodded, tensing when Zayne straightened, shoving the strand of hair that had fallen free out of his face as he looked over to where we stood.

Dez groaned as he rolled onto his side. “That didn’t hurt at all.”

Zayne chuckled as he turned back to Dez, extending a hand. “We have company.”

“I see.” He took Zayne’s hand and was hauled to his feet. He gave us a wave, which we returned. “Good to see I have an audience while I get my ass handed to me.” He placed a hand on his lower back. “You guys should’ve showed up fifteen minutes ago when I had Zayne on the mats.”

Zayne smirked. “That only happened in his imagination.”

“Not true.” Dez cracked his back like a skilled chiropractor. “Do you all need anything?”

“Nope,” I answered, still seeing Zayne lifting Dez clear in the air like the Warden weighed nothing more than a sack of grain.

Zayne cocked his head.

“Well, we were looking for an available room,” I corrected.

“We didn’t know you guys were in here,” Jada added.

“We’re done,” Dez said. “Well, I’m done.” He shot Zayne a look before he focused on Jada and me. “Are you here to practice with the blades?”

Surprise caused me to tighten my grip on my leather satchel.

“Zayne told me you were really good with them,” Dez added as Zayne moved off to a corner of the room, arms folded over his chest.

“I’m okay with them.”

“Okay?” Jada laughed, shoving me forward. “She’s better than most Wardens.”

Not given a choice, I went forward, sneaking glances at Zayne as I stopped beside him. We hadn’t exactly parted ways all warm and fuzzy the last time we’d spoken, and he was being abnormally quiet.

“Would you give me a little demonstration?” Dez requested.

“Of course,” Jada answered for me, and I turned to glare at her. She snatched the satchel from my hands and strode across the room to the table. “She loves showing off.”

That was...true.

Normally.

Right now, I sort of wanted to just go back to my room, because when I looked at Zayne, I was no longer seeing him slam Dez into the mat.

I was seeing him as clear as day in nothing more than a towel, chest damp and—

“You’re staring at me again.” Zayne leaned in, whispering in my ear. “Just thought you should know.”

“Am not,” I snapped back, cheeks flushing as I turned away from him. Dez was watching us curiously. So was Jada, who was doing a really poor job of not smiling as she handed my blades to me.

“How’s your arm?” Zayne asked as I stepped to the side, lining up with the blob of human-looking flesh at the other end of the room.

“Fine.” I curled my fingers around the familiar weight of the handle. “How’s your mood?”

“What?”

“Is it better than the last time I saw you?” I queried, fighting a grin when I saw him frown.

“It was better,” he said after a moment.

I smirked at that as I lifted the blade. “Tell me where to hit.”

“Anywhere?” Dez turned to the dummy. “How about the...chest?”

“That’s too easy,” Jada said. “Pick another area.”

“Okay.” Dez chuckled. “The head?”

The head was a smaller blur of beige, but muscle memory took over, and I let the blade fly. It struck true, hitting the center of the dummy’s face.

“Damn,” Dez said.

“Get the neck,” Jada ordered.

Smiling, I switched the blade to my throwing hand. The blade also struck where I aimed, right in the middle of the throat.

Dez turned to me. “I think we could use you to teach our warriors.”

My smile spread as Jada hurried over to the dummy, retrieving the blades.

“You’re good, real good.” A half grin appeared on Zayne’s striking face when I looked at him. “But it’s a bit harder when the target isn’t standing still.”

“I know,” I snapped. “You want to give it a try?”

“Nah.” He unfolded his arms. “I’m more skilled at the hand-to-hand stuff.”

I told myself to shut up, but my mouth started moving before I could stop myself. “I bet I’m better at that, too.”

Zayne snorted. “Trinity, you know better than that.”

“Oh, I do know better.” I squared off with him. “Do you think you’re better just because you’re a Warden?”

“I know I’m better, because I’ve had years of training and you’ve had the basics,” he said, an assumption that was not remotely correct. “Not to mention, I’m bigger and stronger than you.”

I gave him the kind of smile that irritated the Hell out of Misha. “Speed and intelligence will always prevail over strength and weight.” I paused. “Shouldn’t you know that?”

His jaw hardened as he glared down at me. “I have a feeling you just insulted my intelligence.”

“Never,” I demurred.

Zayne’s brows lifted. “You really think you can take me?”

“I don’t think anything. I know.”

His eyes narrowed.

“You know, I’m suddenly very hungry,” Jada announced, placing my blades on the satchel.

“What?” I turned to her, hands on my hips. “We just ate.”

“Yeah, but I’m in the mood for dessert.” Eyes twinkling with mischief, she grinned at Dez. “Have you had a chance to try the red velvet cupcakes that the café has?”

“No, I haven’t.” Dez smiled so widely it was a wonder it didn’t crack his face. “I’d love to try one.”

“Perfect.” Jada sent a passing glance to Zayne. “Can you make sure she gets back to the house in one piece, Zayne?”

I opened my mouth but Zayne answered, derision dripping from his tone. “It would be my pleasure.”

Forgetting Jada and Dez, I whipped back toward Zayne. “Oh, wow. You could at least sound like you want to.”

“I said it would be my pleasure.” Those pale eyes fixed on mine.

“Then your idea of pleasure must really differ from mine.”

“You know...” He rolled his lower lip between his teeth. “I’m going to have to agree with that. Come on, get your blades and I’ll walk you back.”

I had a feeling what he said was a dig, and asking if hanging out with demons was something he found pleasurable rose to the tip of my tongue, but I managed to not give it voice. I was a brat, but not that much of one.

But I wasn’t ready to go back to the house.

I was antsy and energized and feeling the need to prove myself. “So, you’re admitting that I can take you. You know that, right?”

Zayne stared at me like I spoke an ancient, unknown language. “I’ve admitted no such thing.”

“Then come on.” I stepped back, motioning at him with my hand. “Bring it.”

He laughed—straight up laughed a deep, belly laugh that flipped my bitch switch into power on like a mofo mode. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am perfectly serious.”

“Look, I’m not into overpowering girls to prove my technique or skill, especially girls who were just injured,” he said, turning way. “I’ll grab your blades—”

I waited until he was only a foot away before I sprang forward, fast and light on my feet. I jumped, grasping his shoulders as I brought a knee into his back, digging it deep. Zayne went down, mostly out of surprise, but I was anticipating that. Using his shoulders, I launched myself over him, landing in a roll that caused my injured arm to ache as I popped up on my feet and spun to face him.

Zayne was already back on his feet, gaping at me. “What the Hell?”

“What was that again about overpowering girls?”

A slow, smoky smile pulled at his mouth. “You’re out of your mind.”

“Just don’t think you need to go easy on me,” I said, and then I charged him.

Zayne feinted in one direction to avoid a sharp thrust, but I expected that. Spinning, I caught him in the midsection with a sideways kick that caused him to grunt. He spun, catching my uninjured arm as I gripped his. Using him for balance, I leaped and turned, delivering a fierce spin kick that knocked him back several feet.

“Are you sure you’ve had years of training?” I taunted, steadily approaching him.

Several strands of hair had fallen free, brushing his cheeks as he faced me. “Are you sure you’ve just had a few training sessions?”

“Guess what?” I darted under his swing and hit the floor, planting my palms on the mat as I kicked out, taking his legs out from underneath him. “I lied.”

“I can see that,” he grunted.

“Admit it. I’m better than you.”

Expelling harshly, he jumped onto the balls of his feet. “I’m not admitting that yet, princess.”

“Princess?” I repeated, blinking. “I’m not a princess.”

“You’re something.” He smirked, and then flew into a butterfly kick I almost didn’t see in time.

I met him with a wild laugh. Blow after blow, we went after each other. In the beginning, when I first went at him, he was holding back, but with each punch and kick I got through his defenses, he stopped messing around.

Zayne blocked a series of kicks and jabs that would have knocked a human on their ass. He kept up with the moves easily. “Come on, Trinity, can you do better than this? I’m getting bored.”

The way his mouth curled my name sent a shiver down my spine and a flush to my skin. I hated it.

Sneering, I spun on my heel and turned into a roundhouse kick that knocked both of his stupid legs out from underneath him. He went down hard onto his back, grunting. Panting, I stalked over to where he lay prone. “You bored now, douche nozzle?”

Zayne coughed as he rolled onto his side and looked up at me. “Douche nozzle? What generation do you live in?” Moving lightning fast, he had my legs before I could see him move. He snagged the edge of my foot and yanked.

Unable to catch myself, I landed across his lean body. I recovered quickly, clasping my hand around his throat as I straddled him. “If I had my blades, you’d be dead right now.”

He lowered his chin, and then his gaze lifted to mine. Those pale eyes weren’t so frosty now. They were full of fire, and I got a little hung up, staring into them. The pupils had started to stretch vertically, a sure sign he was close to shifting.

“I win.”

“Not quite,” he said.

I blinked. “I won. There’s no way—”

My words ended in a squeal as he rocked up, folded his legs over my waist and flipped me onto my back with a roll of his hips. Within a heartbeat, he had me pinned underneath him.

“You won?” He grinned down at me.

I tried to kick out with my legs, but the iron strength of his thighs pinned them to the floor. When I lifted my upper body to throw him off balance, he quickly forced me back with pure, brute strength, catching and trapping my wrists on the mat above my head.

“Speed and intelligence will get you far,” he said, lowering his head so close to mine that the edges of his hair brushed my cheek. “But speed, intelligence and strength always wins in the end.”

Not ready to admit defeat, I threw my head back as I managed to wiggle one leg out from underneath him. I was ready to plant my foot somewhere sensitive, but getting my leg free caused something entirely unexpected to happen. His body shifted and settled between my legs, lining our bodies up in a very interesting place. His lean torso and legs pressed against mine in a way that made me think of other things—things that didn’t involve fighting, but did include less clothing.

With his face inches from mine, our eyes met. I stopped moving. I might’ve stopped breathing.

There was a swift change in the atmosphere around us, a sudden charge of heady tension as a wild rush of desire swirled through me, clawing to break free. It reminded me of my grace when it lit up my veins, burning through skin and tissue.

Breathing became difficult as we continued to stare at one another. Zayne didn’t move off me, and I thought he would’ve by now, but he was still above me, those pupils continuing to stretch. His full lips parted.

I...I wanted him.

I’d never really felt desire before, but it was burning me up from the inside. Want. Need. This was what had been missing when I’d kissed someone before. This was what yearning really felt like, and as I lifted my head off the mat, bringing our mouths so close that I could taste his breath on my lips, I thought I might drown in it. Zayne didn’t pull away. Instead, it seemed as if he became even more still.

I kissed him.

It wasn’t much of a kiss at first, just a brushing of my lips against his, and when he didn’t move, I pressed harder, feeling a shivery rush at the touch of our mouths all the way to the tips of my toes. I touched his lips with the tip of my tongue, licking him.

His hands tightened around my wrists and then loosened. A stuttered heartbeat later, his hands moved, sliding down my arms, the rough calluses along his palms causing my breath to catch.

And then I wasn’t the only one doing the kissing.

Zayne pressed down, his warm lips moving against mine for the briefest, hottest second, and then he was gone.

Zayne tore himself away from me, crouching on the balls of his feet, breathing heavy as his skin darkened, hardened. I couldn’t see his eyes any longer, but I knew the pupils of his eyes were vertical.

He was beginning to shift, and I...

Sitting up, I scooted back as I dragged in deep breaths. What had I just done? I’d kissed him. Well, actually, I sort of licked him, and he was staring at me like I’d done just that.

Holy crap.

My entire body felt like it turned beet red as I sprang to my feet, unsteady and dizzy. “I’m sorry,” I said, backing up. “I...I didn’t mean to do that.”

He rose slowly, watching me like I was a wild animal capable of pouncing on him at any given second.

“I really am sorry—” I spun around, and to my horror, I saw Misha standing in the doorway, one hand holding open the door.

I darted across the mats to the door without looking back, not even once as I slipped past Misha and into the much cooler hallway.

Holy crap, I kissed Zayne.

I kissed him, and he’d launched himself off me like a rocket was secured to his waist.

“Trinity,” Misha called out to me.

I kept walking fast, hands opening and closing at my sides. What had I been thinking?

Misha caught up to me. “What was that all about?”

“Nothing,” I said, drawing in a shaky breath. “Absolutely nothing.”