I sat there, utterly shellshocked. "So, the scars on my back weren't from a car accident?" My mind raced at the newfound information. The pair shook their heads no, both giving me a sincere gaze.
"We tried to stop them from hurting you," James blurted out, brown eyes desperate. "To not do it, you weren't awakened, we didn't know what would happen."
"It's okay, I don't remember it, even now," my gaze wandered to the door where Azura stood perching on the counter. "It isn't too bad to have forgotten everything," I sighed quietly.
"So what are we to do now? I don't even remember how to fight anymore," I stated, dejected. Chase and James looked between one another.
"We can teach you, there's an armoire in this house, I'll show it to you," Chase began to rise, gathering up the three porcelain plates.
"Chase, you need to heal," James let out a breath. "Guess it's up to me then darlin," he shrugged, scooting himself out of his chair. I rose after both of them. Chase lowered his gaze at him ever so slightly as he made his way to the stainless steel of the sink. Chase began to wash the dishes, the running water the only audible sound.
"Well, shall we?" James had made his way to my side, his hands stuffed into his black jean pockets. I had to look up at him and I nodded. "Then let's go."
We made our way to the second floor of the house, an area I had not yet explored. There were numerous doors scattered across the walls, however, not nearly as many as the third floor held. The walls on this floor were lined in a pale cream color, the upper half of the walls a moon-colored grey. At the end of the hallway was a massive room, no door hiding its expansive nature. The ceilings rose high above, all of which were painted the same cream as the hallway.
Lining the walls of the room were what seemed to be an endless number of weapons. Swords, daggers, bows, whips, among numerous others sat in black selves that towered above, almost reaching the height of the ceiling. I stood before them, flabbergasted. The floor was made of a spongy grey material that gave way under my feet. My eyes wandered to James who had crossed the room to what looked to be breathable full body suits. He scanned them plucking through the racks. He moved through the sea of red, the same color I had barely become accustomed to over the past few days.
Curls hugged his neck gingerly, moving ever so gently as he walked. He plucked two of the suits from the rack, clicking his tongue against his teeth, as he made his way back to me.
"This should fit you, but if it doesn't, we can go up or down a size," he held the fabric up against me. "Though, I think I was pretty spot on," a Cheshire smile crossed his face. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, stealing it from his grip.
"Thanks, but where am I supposed to change?"
"You could change right here," he spoke softly, his eyes seeming to darken. "If you'd like."
I hit him in the shoulder. "You wish," he licked his lips ever so slightly.
"It was a joke you know," he ran his fingers through his tousled curls. "Changing room is over in the corner," He pointed to the right side of the expansive room, to the corner closest to the doorway. "Should be empty, the light switch is on your left," I nodded firmly, striding to the shut door.
When I entered the room, I saw a large mirror in front of me that expanded across the entire back wall. The left corner of the room extended ever so slightly backward to a small room that held a toilet and sink. At least there's a bathroom here too. I stood in front of the mirror looking at myself, my eyes were swollen, dark circles permeating them. My hair glowed under the overhanging lights, bringing out the brownish reds in it.
I clicked the lock on the door, making sure no one else could get in. I removed my shirt carefully, my arms feeling the faintest bit sore from carrying Chase. Following that, I removed my sweatpants as well. I picked up the uniform, staring at how small it looked in my hands. James really thinks this will fit me? I scoffed, turning it over in my hands, the fabric felt stretchy yet protective at the same time. The sleeves were long, the whole thing patterned in small octagonal figures.
I unzipped the zipper that ran down the back of it and slipped my legs through. I pulled them up as if they were a pair of leggings, and they surprisingly fit around them. Although I wasn't extremely athletic I had run track and cross country for the past few years. Both sports had created definition in my legs since then. I pulled the top half upward, sliding my arms through the sleeves. Although the legs fit, the arms were much looser, not cupping my wrists properly. I sighed, as I finished pulling it on, and I zipped up the back.
The suit ended almost at the base of my throat, seeming to protect it. I took one quick glance in the mirror and threw my hair into a messy bun before exiting the room.
"Are there-" I stopped mid sentence as I saw James pulling on the rest of his uniform. His back muscles flexed as he pulled the suit over his arms. I turned around, my face gaining heat. "Are there any shoes?" I asked cooly.
"You won't need them today, we'll find you a pair after your first lesson," when I finally heard the sound of the zipper, I turned back around, walking over to him.
"What are we starting with today?" My gaze wandered up and down his outfit, analyzing him meticulously. Muscle rippled the entirety of his body, from his arms to his legs. He had broad shoulders, and toned arms to match. The slim fit of the attire only accentuated his features. His eyes looked brighter, his blonde hair revealing slightly darker shades underneath. I saw his throat bob ever so slightly as he stared down at me, coffee eyes glinting.
"Hand to hand combat," he smiled triumphantly. "Do note that we'll be in close proximity," crossing his arms across his chest, he looked down on me. "And I won't go easy on you like Chase does."
"I expected nothing less," I waved him off with my hand and stood a decent way from him. "What do I do first?"
"Let's see your stance, and go from there," I stood facing him, my feet forward, placing my weight on the entirety of my feet. I brought my fists up close to my face. "That's a great way to be thrown off balance," James stepped toward me moving my hands slightly farther away. "Put your right foot forward, the left back. Angle yourself to the side a bit," I obliged, rearranging my stance. "Don't put your thumbs underneath your fingers, otherwise they'll break. Let me tell you, it isn't fun," he scrunched his nose ever so slightly, circling me like a vulture.
"Flex your stomach, your abs will help you to maintain balance the entire time, good," he said as I flexed my stomach. "Bend your knees a bit, you stand up too straight and you'll fly backward. Distribute your weight. Good, that's excellent," he stood before me now as I held my stance.
"Well, go on try to hit me, let's see a punch," a taunting tone laced his words.
I jutted my fist forward, closing my eyes, I felt it stop before it even made it very far. "You need to keep your eyes open. Focus on me, your opponent. Get past my defenses," James's scarred hand had encircled mine, making rage boil in my chest.
"How exactly am I supposed to do that?" I spat out a bit too bitterly.
"Be faster, do before you think. Pretend I'm some bastard trying to kidnap you, whatever makes you focus," his voice was reprimanding, and strong willed. I shook his hand off my own, reading my stance once more. "That's more like it, now hit me," he taunted, smiling.
I threw another punch his way, stepping into it more, he grabbed my arm, twisting it behind my back. "Get angry Makayla, don't let me beat you like this." I gritted my teeth shrugging off his grasp again. Readying myself once more before I threw another punch landing it in his abs, I drew back my other hand readying to hit him once more. He grabbed my other arm, flipping me onto the floor. The wind was immediately knocked out of me, my back screaming.
James towered above me looking down. "Going to give up that easily?" He scoffed. "Truly a pity," as he turned his back to me I grabbed him by the ankle, swinging my legs underneath his own, tripping him. I pulled back with my arm, hard, twisting him toward me as he fell.
He would have landed on top of me had it not been for his quick thinking, as he slammed his hands into the floor on either side of me. My eyes widened as I still tried to catch my breath from my fall earlier. "Well played," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear, his face inches away from mine. He pushed up, standing as he brushed off his knees.
"Let's go again," he smiled, this time readying his own stance.