Chapter Fourteen
It’s Sunday afternoon, and I’m feeling very productive. I’ve finished my work detail with Keegan, fed, studied for my Anatomy midterm, and now I’m ready to train. I’ve been warming up, practicing with the bo as I wait for Nik. He’s running late which isn’t like him.
“It’s about time,” I tease when he finally shows up. I’m the one who’s not sleeping, and I always manage to get here on time. “What gives?”
“Sorry,” he calls out, heading straight to the wall for his bo. “I was packing. Anya and I are leaving this evening for the holiday break. We’re meeting our parents in Boston.”
“We could’ve cancelled. I didn’t realize you were leaving.”
“Neither did I,” he says. “That’s why I’m late. It’s just like my parents to spring this on us at the last minute. I wasn’t expecting to see them until New Year’s. Fortunately, I finished all of my midterms this week.”
I stand at the ready. I know that Nik could end this conversation and attack at any moment. The distance between us is nothing. I’ve seen him leap the entire length of the mat with a good running start. Just another advantage of vampire strength. I have to be prepared.
“You’re learning,” he comments approaching slowly.
“Yeah, I’m a quick study.” Getting my butt kicked on a regular basis will do that, I think wryly. Not that I’m complaining. With the combination of group and one-on-one training, I’m advancing steadily. I wouldn’t be nearly so far along without Nik’s help. My confidence is growing and I’ve decided to ask Nik if he’ll recommend me for a more advanced MMA class in the spring.
He begins to circle me, but I hold my position. I’m getting better at anticipating his moves, so I don’t need to keep my eyes on him at all times in order to react. I know he’s glad to see this progression. He continually reminds me that a day may come where I’m facing more than one opponent and will not have the luxury of line of sight on both.
Nik charges from behind, but I’m able to dodge him and duck below the arc of his staff. I swing my bo wide and catch him behind the knees. Nik goes to the ground, and I leap into the air descending upon him viciously. Showing no mercy, I lead with the end of my bo. He rolls away just in time, and I stab only the mat.
We both step back to regroup. Nik charges again, and we face off bo to bo this time. The solid wooden poles crash together over and over, neither of us able to land a worthy blow. It’s obvious neither of us is going to gain the upper hand by the use of the bo alone. I surprise myself by dropping my weapon and letting Nik strike my shoulder.
Although painful, the move allows me to transition into a reverse kick putting the full force of my leg straight into his stomach. He stumbles backward and I pursue. I attempt a spinning back fist, but he manages to block me and evade the powerful maneuver. Nik grabs my extended arm and flips me onto the mat. I spring back to my feet, showing my teeth. It’s been a while since he’s managed to throw me. I’m pissed that he’s done it again.
“Don’t take it personally,” he reminds me, bending to scoop up my bo. “You need to keep a level head.”
I know he’s right, and I suppose I should be glad that he’s maintaining his role of teacher when he knows that given the chance I might very well tear into his throat. He throws me the bo. “Again.”
I charge at Nik reaching full speed and launch myself into the air. I catch him in the chin with a spinning hook kick and the end of my bo. The aerial assault proves successful, but it only slows him down. Nik does a forward roll landing behind me. Before I can raise my bo in self-defense, he lashes me across the back with his own. It hurts like hell, and I’m pretty sure he’s drawn blood. We don’t stop though. The injury is not ideal, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay to elevate my skill level. Mostly I’m annoyed that I’ll be throwing yet another bloody shirt in the garbage.
We practice for another hour. Nik is far more comfortable with the bo than I am. He’s able to use it as an extension of his body instead of as a tool. As a result, I only manage to best Nik once. It’s extremely frustrating. I feel like he’s better, faster, and stronger. I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever be good enough to beat him.
While he returns the bo’s to the wall, I pour us each a cup of blood from the cooler. This downtime is becoming a part of our routine. It gives us a chance to talk while we replenish our bodies. When we’re in the gym, I feel like I’m with a different Nikolai. He’s more serious here beyond the watchful eyes of his admirers.
“You did well today.” He joins me on the bench as I offer him a cup.
“Well enough that you’ll talk to Garcia about bumping me up to a more advanced class for spring?” I ask hopefully.
“Yes. Well enough for that,” he commends me. “You deserve it. You’ve been working really hard, and you’ve come a long way in a short time. Your Uncle would be proud.”
“Thank you,” I tell him. “I couldn’t have done it without your help. I don’t say it often enough, but I do appreciate all of the time you’ve spent working with me. I hope we can continue in the spring if you have the time.”
“Definitely. We’ll work something out after the holidays. I enjoy working with you.” He reaches under the bench and pulls something from his bag. I’m horrified when I see what it is.
“What is that?”
“A gift.” He looks nervous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Nik look nervous about anything. “An early Christmas present.”
He holds the box out, but I don’t take it. He’s apparently taken great pains to wrap it. The slim box is covered in shiny silver paper and is topped off with a red satin bow.
“I can’t,” I protest. I don’t know what’s in that box, but I can’t accept it whatever it is. I’m not sure what to do. It never even crossed my mind to get him a gift. I just don’t see Nik that way. I don’t think of him as a friend, but as an instructor. To me he is a means to an end. Why is he doing this I wonder? He’s going to mess up everything.
“Please,” he says quietly. “I want you to have it.” He thrusts the package into my hands, leaving me no choice but to open it. I gently pull the ribbon loose and remove the lid from the box. Inside there is a black velvet pouch. I glance up at Nik and find him watching me intently. He’s waiting to see if I like it.
I gingerly remove the heavy pouch from the box and peel back the flap. Inside is the most stunning dagger I’ve even seen. It’s impossible to suppress the smile that spreads over my face.
“Oh, Nik. It’s beyond words.” I pull the dagger from the pouch so that I can see it in the full light of the training center. It’s about eight inches in length and has a delicate gold hilt which has been encrusted with rubies. The blade gleams under the bright lights. It’s exquisite and I can tell he’s pleased with my reaction.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Nik, I love it, but I can’t accept this. It’s too much,” I tell him laying the knife gently on the bench between us. I have no clue what something like this is worth, but it looks very old and very expensive.
“It’s a gift, Katia. I won’t take it back. It’s yours now. You can do with it what you want, but I hope you’ll keep it.” It’s clear he doesn’t understand my reluctance to accept the gift. “It was in my family for a long time. I can’t think of anyone I’d want to have it more than you.”
I stare at him blankly. I have no words. My brain has totally failed me.
“Merry Christmas, Katia.” He stands up and grabs his bag from the floor. I still sit speechless on the bench. He leans down and gives me a kiss on the forehead.
“Thank you,” I whisper. It seems insufficient, but it’s all I can manage before he disappears.