Chapter Three (Part Two – Aspen’s Point of View)

I notice a certain look in Skylar’s eyes, behind the tears that she so obviously tries to hold back as she blinks several times. Doing that only does the opposite of what she was hoping. One tear slides down the side of her face, but she doesn’t wipe it away before it runs down into a curl of her auburn hair.

Is that a look of fear in her eyes?

Quietly, but firmly, she says, “Get off of me.” Thoughts of the reasons she could be fearful enter my mind, but I push them away, unable to handle them.

I stand up and help her to her feet, then back away a few steps, giving her some space. “I’m sorry… Are you okay?” She nods, wiping a disobedient tear from her left cheek.

“Oh, come on, Aspen, that’s no way to defeat your opponent,” Declyn says, rolling his eyes. Then, to my complete horror, he does something that I never would have expected – not even from him. It’s too late for me to react when his fist connects with her face, sending her to the ground. Rage rises inside me. “See? It’s that eas–” His voice comes out strained as I put my hands on his chest and drive him back quickly toward the wall. He stumbles a little. I slam him against it in time so he stays on his feet and is supported by the wall behind him.

Fistfuls of his shirt are bunched in my hands as I pull him toward me, glaring into his eyes. All they show is callousness toward humanity. Pulling him toward me, I say, “Don’t you ever touch Skylar again!” then slam him against the wall one more time. I raise my fist and bring it back, more than ready to–

 “What on earth is going on here?” says a stern female voice.

Declyn shoots me a threatening glare – one that’s unseen by the lady and the Tamers she’s with. “Just a simple training exercise.”