"That's it, aim for the abdomen. We don't want to kill, but we don't want them to be able to keep coming after you."

I watch as Kalen trains with Daniel, throwing dagger after dagger at the target in front of him. Jack's team set out four days ago on their mission, and there has been no word from them since. We are all still mad about the board's decision to have them go instead of us, but we are using our time wisely and getting in as much training as possible.

Mara is practicing with another noble year, staffs clashing as they duel on the mat. My friend twirls the metal rod over her head before bringing it down towards the boy she is facing, who holds up his own to parry her attack. She jumps back, holding the staff protectively in front of herself before she rushes at him again, metal clashing against metal in an intricate dance.

Jayson, like Kalen, is also using the dummies as target practice, as he fires bullet after bullet, always hitting the dummy where he aims for. Chest, shoulder, abdomen, forehead. It's a rapid-fire succession of shots that my eyes have trouble keeping up with.

Cassie won't be training with us today, after she took a nasty hit to the head yesterday while she sparred against one of the Muscles. She complained all the way to the medical wing about how she was fine, and that she could still go back and beat the girl's ass. Her concussion said otherwise. So today she had been given the day off, a time she was using to rest back at the dorm, watching shows in bed.

And then there is Kalen.

He has been taking training more seriously than all of us. He is up every morning before class and every afternoon you can find him at the training rooms, spending every second he can get with Daniel. He is still helping me with my training, so on rare occasions like this one, I decided to stop by and help him out with his. Okay, maybe not super rare. Like, every other day probably...or more... whatever! My point is I try to help as best as I can. I usually wait until he's done with weapons training, and then we spar. It's good practice for both of us. I already had a chance to test out my new gloves, and boy were they handy. I nearly broke Quinn's nose the last time we dueled, before she and her new team headed off on their mission. I don't know how I felt about her being on Jacks's team, but I guess I couldn't blame her for wanting to be one of the best. She is still nice, and I like her, so that's all that matters.

I watch as Jayson and Mara finish their training, and they wave at me as they head out of the hall together. I don't comment on how close they're standing, or the way their hands seem to brush every time they move.

It's just a few minutes after they leave that Daniel decides weapon training with Kalen is over for today.

"Alright, I think that's all." Daniel claps Kalen on the back, helping him collect his daggers and putting them back in his bag. He walks out of the training room, probably to have a break of his own, waving to me as he goes.

"Back today miss Acero?"

"You know me, I can always use a bit more time to work off some energy."

He laughs, rolling his eyes skyward as he disappears through the door. It closes with a loud 'boom', echoing in the now almost empty room. Kalen and I are completely alone today, usually more trainees are practicing or hanging out by the mat. It looks like everyone wanted to take a break. I try not to dwell too much on the fact that we have the room completely to ourselves, but my heart still does that weird flop it does when he looks at me. I'm starting to think it's not because of stress.

"You ready Steel."

I roll my eyes. Ever since I told him what my last name meant he wouldn't stop calling me that. I told him it annoyed me; I would never admit that I kind of liked it.

I walk onto the blue mat, getting into position across from him.

"Hit me with your best shot, hot-head."

We watch each other, waiting for the other one to make a move. I catch the twitch in Kalen's right hand, a telltale sign I've seen all too many times when we've dueled. He lunges at me, arms outstretched, handheld in a tight fist.

Go back, says the voice inside me, and quick as a whip I listen to its suggestion. The hardest part about listening to my inner voice is reacting fast enough. If I'm too slow it won't matter what the voice tells me, I'm toast.

I back up and sidestep his punch, but he spins on his heel and comes at me just as fast.

Duck.

I drop to the ground, maintaining a crouching position, readying myself to launch at his legs. I try to catch him by surprise, but he anticipates my counter and dodges easily.

The smell of sweat lingers in the air, our heavy breaths the only sounds in the empty training hall.

"Not bad," he says, still not letting his guard down.

We circle each other, taking this moment to catch our breaths.

"I told you I've been practicing."

I run at him again, managing to land a kick to his abdomen. He groans and stumbles back, one arm clutching his stomach. I use the distraction to grab him from behind in a chokehold. He struggles, grabbing my forearms, and I feel my legs leave the ground as he launches me over his head and onto the mat.

My head bounces off the blue cushioning, breath catching in my throat.

"Looks like," he pants, "you need to practice a bit more."

I hear the air make its way back into my lungs, and I make a show of trying to recover. I wait until he gets a bit closer, just a few more steps... his shoes come into my line of sight and I take my chance, spinning onto my stomach and using my arms to push myself up. I kick, and once he's off-balance I spin my legs around like a pinwheel, smiling when I feel them connect with something solid. Kalen bounces as he falls on his back, and I see the confusion on his face as he stares up at the ceiling. A laugh escapes my lips.

I grunt as I push myself to my feet, brushing the hairs that managed to escape my ponytail away from my face. Kalen just keeps staring at me, gray eyes clouded as he tries to figure out how I managed to beat him.

"It looks to me," I say, leaning down and offering a hand to help him up, "like you are the one who needs to practice."

He huffs out a laugh, reaching up to grab my forearm, but my victory is short-lived, as a blinding pain shoots up my arm.

I yelp, and Kalen quickly let's go, stumbling back onto the mat, looking stunned. I wince, and he leaps to his feet, face tortured, as if he were the one who was just burned.

I clutch my arm, trying to fight the stubborn tears that cling to my lashes. I hiss as I peel my fingers away from my skin in order to assess the damage that has been done. It's not as bad as I'd feared, but there is a large burnt mark that snakes above my wrist, shaped almost perfectly like a hand. Big and red and angry.

I barely register Kalen's presence as I focus on breathing through my nose, closing my eyes when the pain finally lessens. I sigh and look up, immediately kicking myself for my reaction. Kalen looks haunted. His gray eyes are clouded, mouth slightly parted as he stares at my arm. His fingers twitch at his side, as if he wants to reach out and touch my arm but is too afraid to do so. I'm quick to hide the appendage behind my back, but not quick enough.

"Brianna... I-I'm so... I didn't mean... You know I..."

He can't seem to get a straight sentence out, and he backs away when I try to step closer to him. I stop, watching him. He looks like a cornered animal, ready to run at any moment.

"Kalen, I'm fine, don't worry. It's just a little burn that's all..."

I shut up when a horrible laugh bursts from his lips, mix between a groan and a cry.

"Just a little burn. My burn!" He bursts, looking at his hands as if they'd personally offended him

"It's just like last time," He mumbles, fingers clenching into fists.

I cock my head to the side, eyebrows furrowing together.

"What do you mean?"

He doesn't answer, just stares at his clenched fists, jaw working as he grinds his teeth together. He shakes his head, trying to snap himself out of it, focusing back on me before he turns to leave.

"Kalen!" I call out

"You need some ice for that. Just... wait here."

He shoots me one last apologetic look before disappearing down the hall, leaving me alone to wonder what just happened.