“Do you really think we can ever be as good at fighting as you are, Katrina?” Arletta asked excitedly, eyes still wide with amazement.
“Absolutely, if you work hard and take it seriously, I have no doubt.”
“Are you willing to do that, girls?” Ricardo asked.
“Yes,” they all answered together emphatically.
“We’re very determined, aren’t we?” Rosa said, the others all nodded.
“Very well,” Gunter said. “Then the work begins now. We’re going to test your skill levels and agility, so we’ll know how to approach your training.”
Gunter and his brothers put the girls through the basic moves of swordplay, tested their balance, movement, and form. During the grueling session, he found they had been well schooled, had a good command of the fundamentals and he was pleased to discover, as a group, they were quick, agile, and stronger than he expected.
“Good work, everyone, we’ll start early tomorrow,” Gunter announced.
The girls all looked at one another.
“If you don’t mind, Gunter, we’d like to start after lunch,” Kate told him, speaking for the group.
It was clear Gunter was taken aback by this unexpected request.
“Very well, after lunch it is. I’ll discuss the details with my brothers and meet you back here in an hour and a half.”
“We’re very proud of all of you, aren’t we?” Father looked around at the other fathers for support.
“We agree to let you stay and train together as long as you stay focused,” admonished Edward.
“Thank you, Father,” we said together, and gave them each a hug.
“Let’s have some lunch,” urged Kate. “I’m starving.”
Fathers and daughters alike left the Watchers training compound for the main dining area.
“I’ll be right there,” I called to Kate and Father.
“Gunter, since I’ve worked out all ready today, I’m going hunting this afternoon. I’ll take a vampire with me as guard, so all of you can stay and train the girls.”
“All right, but I’ll need you when we start developing their special gifts. Maybe you can all get together in your rooms tonight and get a feel for what those gifts might be.”
“That’s a good idea. And it’ll be easier if we’re not all distracted by the presence of so many handsome brothers.”
We both laughed and went our separate ways. Of course what Gunter did not know, was the vampire I meant to take with me hunting was Damien. I left the compound to join the others.
“You were splendid this morning, as usual, but I’ve seen you in a real battle, so I wasn’t surprised,” grinned Quinn.
“Thank you. I thought you’d be discussing training with Gunter. I was just heading over to have lunch with everyone. Can you join us?”
“No, I’m on duty with Simon.” He grabbed my hand. “I just wanted to tell you again, what a fine time we all had last night, especially me.”
“I did too. The girls and I would have stayed up all night talking about it, if it hadn’t been for our training schedule this morning. They did well this morning, didn’t they?”
“Yes they did. The five of you will become quite a force once the girls are fully trained. And you were right about Kate; she’s just like you, fast and furious.”
We smiled at each other. Quinn was so handsome, but he was also was a strong, reliable, caring, and a fiercely loyal man, and I felt guilty about Damien, not that I had done anything wrong, mind you.
“Did you see Damien was back?” I asked.
“I saw him at practice. He couldn’t take his eyes off you, not that I blame him.”
Now a feeling of discomfort crept into my system, as I understood Quinn had noticed Damien’s interest. I explained, “I spoke to him at the stables. I was shocked to see him, but he thanked me for helping him to clear his name, and absolve him from Luena’s scheme.”
“Do you really believe he had nothing to do with any of it? At the very least he knew of the fledglings and didn’t mention them.”
“Quinn, Damien told me Luena threatened to kill their father, and I believe him. Father is of the same mind, and has arranged he be included in the envoy departing to the Americans soon.”
“Really? Well, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, if you think he’s being truthful. I trust your instincts.”
Then he gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
What was I thinking? I’d have to go hunting by myself. I needed it in more ways than one. Not just to feed, but also to clear my head, and try to understand why I was drawn to these two men.
“There you are! Seems as if we’re always looking for you lately,” El laughed.
“Come sit with us, Kat,” Kate gestured for me to join her and Father at the table where the girls and their fathers were now eating lunch.
Their excitement at being allowed to stay with me for their training was infectious. I had plans to ask Father if we could make over a wing of Mormont, so we could have our rooms together as we did here. I imagined he would laugh and say, “Anything you want, my dear,” as he always did.
Father had always spoiled me terribly, all the while being supportive and stern. I’d always been sure of his love, and now that I had my mother back, I knew I could count on her love and support also.
“You know what else?” Rosa asked.
“What?” several voices responded.
“We’re going to turn eighteen within a few days of each other. Isn’t that something?”
“All five of us?” I was surprised. “Well, of course Kate and I are twins, but the three of you too?”
“Yes,” Rosa beamed, having bested us on this information. “You two were born on June seventeenth; my birthday is the eighteenth; El’s on the twentieth; and Letta’s on the twenty-first.”
We all looked at each other in amazement.
“That’s going to be one gala birthday party we’ll have to plan,” Father thumped his fist on the table. “We can combine it with a farewell party for those headed to the Americas, including all your fathers, and have a Council meeting and show off your new skills, right girls? Remember, unless you’ve made real progress in your training, progress that can seen by your fathers before they go, you’ll all have to go home.”
“That’s right,” agreed the other Fathers.
“We made a promise to all of you, and we intend to keep it,” I insisted. “Now it’s almost time to get back to work, ladies.”
All five of us rose and headed to the door. When we arrived at the courtyard, I told them to work hard and have fun.
And then I told them I would see them later.