The Guardians in training stood before Calum, arms rigid at their sides as they watched him pace. Anna had been called to Headquarters for a mission that required her Talent, and despite his numerous protests, he'd inherited her training duties. Not that he minded. He spied the blonde, who twisted his logic and reasoning. Not that he minded, usually.

He'd been certain that moving her to the dormitories would ease his torment, but her scent lingered in her room and assaulted him each time he passed. Which, even he would admit, was far more often than necessary. Fleur had begun to eye him with suspicion, and Percy voiced his displeasure almost daily.

Sleep didn't offer any escape, for his dreams were haunted by her ghost. Awake and slumbering, women plagued him, leading him to go for long, punishing runs until even his enhanced endurance faltered and he collapsed into his bed in a blissfully, dreamless sleep.

If it was a matter of simple attraction, he'd have found an appropriate outlet for those frustrations, but he missed her sass and smile. She challenged him and awoke parts of himself he'd thought long gone. When Anna sent word that Elaine was abusing Camille, every excuse he'd composed crumbled as he stormed across the island and removed her from Elaine's control. Camille's earnest pleas for answers had barely penetrated the rage fogging his mind, and he knew she'd taken his silence as a dismissal. Something he thought it was best not to correct.

"Each of you has a Talent that makes you unique and capable of extraordinary feats, but I've seen the most powerful men and women fall because they neglected to train their reflexes and bodies, making them vulnerable when their Talents failed them. The reports I've received about the level of commitment to your sparring training have been disappointing at best.," Calum lectured, his deep voice cloaked in disapproval.

A snicker reached his sensitive ears, and he trained his eyes on the culprit. Pushing through the group, he came face to face with the stocky young man who'd been vying for Camille's affection, and leaned in so closely that his breath ruffled his ridiculous, overly gelled red hair.

"Would you care to share that with the group?"

He had to give the kid credit. His honey-colored eyes widened with fear, but it was gone so fast Calum couldn't be certain he'd seen it. But the contempt that replaced it was obvious.

"What point is there in sparring against someone who won't ever tire?"

Calum snorted. "You think because one of your Talents is Endurance that you are faultless? Does Endurance make you more responsive? Can you dodge every hit? And what are your limits? Hours? Days? Do you want to find out?"

Camille glanced back and forth between the two men, and Calum wished he could read her mind in that moment. No doubt she was sharpening her tongue to deliver a lashing later, but whether he'd be on the receiving end or Kent, he couldn't be certain. She might be angry with his behavior, but she didn't suffer fools, and she'd see Kent's childish behavior for what it was.

"Everyone pair off," he commanded, his patience wearing thin as they separated from the crowd and stood in the crudely drawn circle on the beach. "The same rules apply. First to ten points wins the round and goes on to the next."

"I thought we were supposed to be focusing on foot sweeps today," Bri said, arranging her features in a way she likely thought was alluring.

"Pair off," he responded, not feeling the need to justify himself. "And no Talents."

"Sir," Lily, a petite girl barely more than fifteen, raised her hand timidly. "I can't turn off my Talent."

"I guess you'll be the one to beat then."

The next hour passed quickly as he moved between the dwindling partners and critiqued their forms. A few students, Camille among them, proved to be naturals, and he wondered again what her life had been before she'd lost her memories.

Others fought as if they'd never had a class, something he intended to speak to Anna about. Kent powered through on sheer strength, but his movements were slow and uncoordinated. Chloe nearly beat him fast even without using her Talent, but he landed a solid strike across her jaw and she hit the sand with a jarring thud. Camille rushed to her side, casting a heated glare at Kent as she helped her friend to her feet. Calum couldn't help but hope that this would drive a rift between the two, even temporarily.

"Looks like I'm the winner," Kent announced.

"Not until you beat me," Calum said, grinning as Kent's cocky grin faded. There was no missing the fear in the boy's eyes now.

                                                                          ***************************

Calum

"Was that really necessary?"

Calum couldn't wipe the grin off his face when he peered down at Camille. "Absolutely."

After sparring ended, they'd set off into the jungles surrounding the compound for an overnight training exercise. He'd allowed no time for rest or supply gathering; instead, he'd ordered everyone to head into the wilds as they were: bruises and all. Kent's limping form brought up the end of the line, and Calum found his attempts at glaring with an eye swollen shut far more amusing than it probably was.

Camille had rebuffed his attempts for sympathy, crossing her arms and whispering that he'd do well to remember the lesson the next time he felt like snickering during Calum's training session. She left him pouting while she tended to Chloe, who still looked dazed.

"Look, I get why you did it. Mostly. He shouldn't have been cutting up while you were lecturing, and he's a little cocky sometimes."

"A little?" She arched her eyebrow and scowled. She was trying to come across as stern, but he found her sexy as hell when she was angry.

"Do you really think you have the right to call someone out about being cocky?"

His reply was cut off when one student let out a shout. Camille looked alarmed, but he shook his head at her and grinned. Breaking out into a sprint, he yelled, "Follow me!"

Everyone groaned, but they picked up the pace. His feet were sure across the uneven terrain, but from the curses behind him, the others weren't finding the trek so easy. How had this group been promoted to this level? The war was lost already if this was the best the Guardians had to offer, but he forgot all his worries when he heard Camille's soft gasp behind him as their destination came into view.

"Why are we just now seeing this place?"

"You have to earn it," he said, his eyes more interested in tracing her curves than the landscape.

A wall of stone rose before them, covered in flowering vines and damp with humidity and spray from the thirty-foot waterfall. The powerful stream plunged into a cerulean pool, creating rainbow beams wherever the sunlight broke through the thick canopy above and struck the drops of mist. The pool spread out before it, the waters calmer near the edges where ledges perfect for lounging could be seen through the limpid surface.

"Ok everyone, break off and find items we can use for shelter and food. We will be staying here this evening. No Talents!."

He expected more complaining, but the sight of the falls had revived them. They set about gathering supplies, and within the hour, a fire was blazing and fish were cooking. The light was fading fast, but that didn't stop them from going for a swim as soon as they'd devoured dinner.

"Instructor Knight?" Chloe approached him, hesitation clear in her dark eyes, and a bruise blooming across her jaw.

"Everything okay? That's a nasty bruise."

"I'm fine. It'll be gone by morning. One of the perks," she laughed. "Have you seen Camille? She disappeared after she ate."

He scanned the clearing and didn't spot her. His gaze fell on Kent, who was soaking in the cool waters, looking as if every move was painful. "I'm sure she's somewhere close," he promised, "but I'll look around just in case. Go join the others."

"Yes, sir."

He waited until she sat down beside Bri before he headed towards the side of the rock wall. A bright purple flash had caught his eye while speaking to Chloe.

"Just what are you up to, Camille?"