Chapter 11 – Fallen and Found

Power Play

Kate’s POV

After a light lunch, I joined Cyrus and Marcus for more training. I had changed into a newly bought pair of black yoga pants and a snug black crop top. They had warned me that today would involve learning basic self-defense moves so I wouldn’t be completely helpless while I continued to master my powers.

As I stepped into the garden, the afternoon sun was high in the sky. Cyrus handed me an ornate dagger, the blade roughly the length of my hand, with intricate designs etched into the metal. It glinted ominously in the light, and I could tell that it was ridiculously sharp.

“This is a blessed dagger,” he explained. “You’ll need to carry it with you at all times for security. It’s effective against most monsters you’ll encounter.”

I nodded, taking the dagger and feeling its weight in my hand. It was surprisingly light but balanced, the blade sharp and deadly.

Cyrus chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Although, judging by that impressive frying-pan swing you delivered to the demon last time, you might already have the basics of self-defense down.”

Marcus, who had been adjusting his stance, froze and turned to me with wide eyes. “Your what…?”

I shrugged, a little embarrassed. “It was the closest weapon I had at the time.”

Marcus blinked a few times, clearly processing this information. “Well, that’s… unconventional. But resourceful. Let’s see if we can give you a few more effective techniques.”

We started with the basics of warding off demons from a distance. Cyrus demonstrated the correct stance and grip on the dagger, showing me how to make precise, slashing movements. His hands guided mine, adjusting my posture and the angle of the blade.

“Keep your distance and use the dagger to create space,” he instructed, stepping back and allowing me to practice. “Aim for their weak points. Eyes, throat, joints. Anywhere that will disable them quickly.”

I practiced the movements, feeling the dagger slice through the air with each strike. Cyrus circled me, occasionally stepping in to correct my form or offer encouragement. His presence was both comforting and distracting, his proximity causing my heart to race.

After several rounds, Marcus called for a break, but Cyrus had other plans. “Alright, let’s move on to close combat,” he said, a serious note in his voice. “But first, let me take the dagger for safety reasons.”

He took the dagger from my hand and set it aside, then turned back to me. “I’ll show you what to do if a demon pushes you down.”

I nodded, expecting him to demonstrate while I sat down. But instead, Cyrus moved quickly, shoving me to the ground. The sudden impact knocked the wind out of me, and I stared up at him in surprise.

“Sorry for the surprise,” Cyrus said, his tone gentler. “But it’s important to understand what it feels like to be caught off guard.”

He knelt beside me, his body close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him. “Now, if a demon pushes you down, you need to be prepared to fight back immediately,” he said, positioning himself above me. “Use the dagger to strike up and protect yourself.”

His closeness flustered me, and my mind raced. As he leaned in to demonstrate, his breath warm against my cheek and his hands pushing my shoulders down, I lost focus. Reacting on instinct, I twisted sideways, swung my arm up, and my elbow connected with his ribs with a solid thud.

Cyrus gasped, more from surprise than pain, and rolled off me, clutching his side. Marcus burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the garden.

“Well, that’s one way to do it,” Marcus said, still chuckling. “You alright, Cyrus?”

Cyrus nodded, wincing slightly but managing a grin. “Yeah, I’m good. She definitely has a natural talent for this.”

I scrambled to my feet, mortified. “I’m so sorry, Cyrus! I didn’t mean to—”

He waved off my apology, still smiling while rubbing his side. “Don’t worry about it. Better to get it wrong here than in a real fight. Besides, it’s good to see you can defend yourself even when you’re caught off guard.”

We continued the training, practicing different scenarios and defense moves. Each session pushed me harder, but with every successful escape or counter, my confidence grew. I could feel my body responding to the training, my movements becoming quicker and more precise.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the garden, Marcus called for one final exercise. “Alright, Kate, let’s see how you handle a full-speed attack. Cyrus will come at you, and I want you to use everything you’ve learned to defend yourself.”

Cyrus nodded, his expression serious. “Ready?”

I took a deep breath, nodding back. “Ready.”

Cyrus lunged at me, his movements swift and powerful. I reacted instinctively, sidestepping his attack and bringing my arm up to deflect his strike. He spun around, attempting to grab my wrist, but I twisted out of his grasp and countered with a quick jab to his ribs.

He grunted, stepping back, but then moved in again, this time trying to grapple me to the ground. I remembered the chokehold escape, grabbing his wrist and pushing up with my shoulder. The moment I felt the hold loosen, I turned my body and slipped free.

Marcus, watching intently, shouted instructions. “Stay on your feet! Keep moving!”

Cyrus came at me again, and this time I was ready. I ducked under his swing and used the momentum to push him off balance. As he stumbled, I brought my knee up, stopping just short of making contact with his midsection. A smug sense of accomplishment washed over me, thinking I had outsmarted him.

“Time!” Marcus called, raising his hand. “That’s enough for today.”

Breathing heavily, I stepped back, my heart racing. Cyrus straightened up, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Well done, Kate. You’re a quick learner.”

I smiled back, feeling a sense of pride. “Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

Marcus clapped a hand on my shoulder. “You did great today. Remember, it’s not just about strength or speed, but also about staying calm and using your training effectively.”

I nodded, absorbing his words. “Got it. Thank you, Marcus.”

As we walked back toward the house, I felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. The training had been intense, but it also gave me a sense of empowerment I hadn’t felt before.

Just as we reached the door, Cyrus turned to me, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “One last thing, Kate.”

Before I could react, he moved with blinding speed, catching me off guard and pinning me against the wall effortlessly. His grip was firm but not painful, and his face was close to mine, his breath calm despite the exertion. My heart pounded in my chest, the realization of his sheer strength and speed sinking in.

“Never let your guard down,” he whispered, his voice low. “This was a reminder of how easily you could be overpowered if you’re not careful.”

He stepped back, releasing me, and I stood there, breathless and wide-eyed. Marcus watched silently, his expression a mix of disapproval and knowing.

“Remember, progress takes time,” Marcus said, his tone measured. “You’ve done well today, but there’s always more to prepare for.”

His words felt like an unspoken warning. The reality of their strength and experience hit me hard. Despite the confidence I’d gained from the training, this moment brutally reminded me of how inexperienced and underprepared I was compared to them. They had spent years honing their skills, facing dangers I could only imagine. Their entire job was hunting monsters, probably beings far more terrifying than I had encountered. If they ever decided to turn on me, running or hiding would be futile. They would find me easily.

This realization brought a cold clarity. While Cyrus and Marcus had been supportive, I had to remember they were ultimately part of an organization with its own agenda. I couldn’t afford to blindly trust anyone, no matter how much they seemed to care. Every step I took had to be careful and tactical, ensuring I gathered as much information as possible while keeping my true intentions hidden.

For now, I would continue to play along, appearing grateful and cooperative. But inside, I would be watching, waiting, and planning. Because if it turned out that Cyrus and Marcus weren’t truly on my side, I needed to be ready to protect myself and forge my own path.

Feeling a mix of exhaustion and determination, I excused myself. “I’m going to take a shower and freshen up a bit,” I said, aiming for casual nonchalance.

Cyrus nodded. “Go ahead, you earned it.”

I walked to the bathroom, the cool tiles under my feet offering relief to my sore feet. Once inside, I closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a deep breath. The adrenaline from the training session was still coursing through me, making my hands tremble slightly.

I turned on the shower, letting the water heat up before stepping in. As the hot water cascaded over me, I felt the tension begin to melt away. I closed my eyes, the steam enveloping me like a protective cocoon. The confrontation with Cyrus replayed in my mind, a vivid reminder of how easily he could overpower me. It was unsettling, and the trust I thought I had in him now felt fragile and uncertain.

After toweling off, I dressed in comfortable clothes and headed back to the main living area. The tempting aroma of dinner wafted through the air, guiding me to the kitchen where Cyrus and Marcus were putting the finishing touches on a delicious meal. They had prepared grilled chicken breast with roasted vegetables and a side of creamy mashed potatoes. The kitchen table was set with an inviting spread, and for a brief moment, it felt like a normal, peaceful evening.

“This smells amazing,” I said, taking a seat. “If you ever get tired of hunting demons, you should definitely consider opening a restaurant.”

Cyrus smiled, his earlier intensity replaced with a more relaxed demeanor. “We figured you deserved a good meal after all that training.”

Marcus nodded, serving the food. “Plus, it gives us a chance to talk and unwind a bit.”

As we ate, I kept taking mental notes of any information they shared, filing away details that might come in handy later. They talked about previous missions, the types of demons they had encountered, and some of the tactics they used. I listened intently, pretending to be engrossed in the conversation while silently assessing the usefulness of each piece of information.

“So, Kate,” Marcus said, turning his attention to me, “do you feel up to attempting the barrier again tonight?”

I hesitated, not wanting to reveal my true progress just yet. “Sure, I’ll give it a shot,” I replied, feigning uncertainty.

After dinner, we moved to the living room, clearing a space for me to work on the barrier. I took a deep breath, preparing to tap into the energy I had managed to harness during my nightly training session. I planned to struggle just enough to keep up appearances.

Cyrus and Marcus watched closely as I began to concentrate. I reached for the feeling of warmth and passion I had felt last night, trying to channel it into forming the barrier. But as I focused, the memory of Cyrus’s sudden attack earlier flashed in my mind, startling me. My heart raced, and the surge of fear caused the barrier to shatter instantly.

Cyrus stepped forward, concern etched on his face. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re probably just tired from the self-defense training earlier.”

Marcus nodded in agreement. “Yeah, don’t push yourself too hard. It takes time to master these skills.”

I forced a weak smile, nodding along. “You’re right. I think I just need some rest.”

But deep down, I knew there was more to it. The sudden flash of fear and uncertainty I felt toward Cyrus had disrupted my concentration. Until I could truly trust him, I wouldn’t be able to fully tap into the energy needed to form the barrier. I needed to figure out my feelings and overcome this obstacle if I was ever going to master my powers.

As I headed to bed, I resolved to continue my secret nightly training sessions. I couldn’t afford to let them see my progress or my struggles. I needed to keep them at a distance until I knew for sure where their loyalties lay. And most importantly, I needed to become strong enough to protect myself, no matter what the future held.