Mordecai Cortez's POV

"You seem well rested!" I laugh.

Sol, my son, cuts his eyes at me as he and Yejide walk into the gym.

He asked me the other night after the banquet if I could train Yejide. 

I immediately declined, not because the girl doesn't seem brilliant, but training humans is an extremely delicate process!

Their bones break more easily and their reactions are far slower.

But Sol managed to convince me that this human is different.

I can see that he likes her a lot. The way he looks at her is a lot like the ways in which I look at his mother.

'Our gorgeous queen.' Alvaro, my wolf sighs.

But I can also sense the competition.

Ezra.

Contrary to popular belief, Vampires and Werewolves have always gotten along.

Even if most of the relationships have been transactional.

I leave my thoughts where they are and I focus on Yejide.

She's shorter than both my son and I, but I can tell she's gotten more muscle than she originally had from the stretch marks on her shoulders.

"Are you ready?" I ask, trying not to let my skepticism show in my voice.

"Yes, sir" she responds, tying her hair up.

I look at Sol once more, giving him the chance to back her out.

He shrugs.

I sense someone walk into the room, and I turn to see that it's Ezra.

As per usual, he looks serious and he walks up to me, dapping me up.

He's a nice young man.

He turns to Yejide giving her a slow heated once over, making Yejide blush, earning him a scowl from my son.

I clear my throat, breaking them out of their standoff.

They clear the area and I look down at the girl again.

"You sure you want to do this?" I ask her.

Final warning.

'This is such a terrible idea' Alvaro complains.

Inwardly I chuckle to myself.

'Quit complaining and focus. She could show a lot of promise' I reply.

"Don't go easy on me cause I'm a human sir" she tells me.

I nod.

'I'm definitely taking it a tad easy. She's just a baby.' Alvaro chuckles.

She walks over to the other side of the room and I take stance.

"Come at me with all you have!" I call.

She nods.

'Her stance is too relaxed.' Alvaro comments.

'Does she want to die- -?!'

"Fuck!" I mutter.

Before I can finish my thought, Yejide is right in front of me, murder in her eyes.

She jumps and aims a lethal kick straight to my temple, which I narrowly dodge.

"All I have?" She asks.

There is excitement in her tone.

Not even giving me time to recover she grabs my shirt, shifting backwards and any other human being would go flying into the floor.

I snatch her arm away from me, throwing her back, but she lands straight on her feet!

Not even slightly deterred, she runs up on me again, impossibly faster, throwing punches and aiming for all my weak spots.

I dodge them all, shocked at just how powerful she is!

And she's...

Enjoying it?!

"Come on, sir! I thought this was what you wanted!" She giggles.

My heart rate quickens.

This can't be the same girl who was too shy to look any of us in the eyes at the feast.

The girl who almost buckled under all of the pressure of the people looking at her.

How long has she been hiding her bloodlust?!

Her voice is low and almost sounds nothing like her.

I glance at my son and Ezra.

They both have a mixture of worry and awe on their faces.

But not worry for her...

Worry for me?!

I quickly snap back into reality when Yejide aims a knee to my chest and the hit actually lands!

Winded, I almost fall flat on my ass, and her relentless ass aims more kicks and my knees and sides, before I put my hands up, snatching her by her legs and lifting her off the ground.

She immediately stops, the energy leaving her as if she realises what she's done.

Her eyes widen.

"Sir are you okay?!" She ask with a shriek.

Then I feel it.

Blood dripping down my temple.

"You're insane" I mutter and she gives me a sheepish grin.

"Thank you sir" she says.

I gently put her down and touch the side of my head.

The cut is deeper than I thought.

It stings.

I signal for my aside, Akousia to give me a damp towel and she does it without a word.

Her dark glasses-rimmed eyes look at my worthy opponent, curiously.

I don't blame her.

Coming even close to beating me in a fight is not a common occurrence.

Yejide stares back, a neutral look on her face.

I don't blame her either.

From what I've heard of the situation, I wouldn't trust anyone either.

Sol and Ezra walk up to us and they immediately fuss over Yejide, who repeatedly tells them that she's fine.

I lift my voice a little to be heard over the clamour.

"Walk with me" I tell her.

She looks a bit surprised, but she nods anyway and takes the hand I reach out to her.

She allows me to put her arm in mine and I look at the boys.

"Both of you give her some space and let us talk. She'll be all yours later okay?" I tell them.

They reluctantly nod and Sol grabs her face, kissing her cheek, before stepping back.

In turn, Ezra dips her head and kisses her forehead.

They both step away and are led indoors by Akousia.

I turn to Yejide.

"Ready?" I ask.

She nods.

"Let's go" I say.

So we walk.

For the first few minutes, we walk in a comfortable silence while Alvaro takes the piss out of me for losing to a child and how she is the only one worthy enough to marry my son.

I remind him that it's not even our choice, so he should shut up!

I look down at her arm and see that the tribal marks have spread all the way down to her fingertips

I'm happy for her, but I still wonder what they mean?

Then I finally speak.

"You did really well back there kid. How d'you feel?" I ask.

She thinks about it for a moment before responding.

"It felt like I was watching from outside my body to be honest" she replies.

I nod.

"To be honest, it kind of seems like an old curse. Does your family hold any grudges you might know about?" I ask her.

She shakes her head with a dry chuckle.

"We're just regular humans" she responds.

I sigh softly.

"This must be a lot for you, huh?" I ask gently.

She stiffens when she realises that I genuinely care.

I've seen my fair share of sudden magic and all types of horrors.

And most people lose it very quickly.

She shakes her head.

"I wouldn't want to burden you or anyone else with my shit." She responds sadly.

I shake my head.

"I know you see Sol and Ezra practically falling at your feet young lady. They'd crack the moon in half and carry it on their shoulders if it meant they could give it to you" I tell her.

'What a lame fucken analogy' Alvaro complains.

I ignore him.

She nods.

"I know" she says.

"D'you love them?" I ask her curiously.

She nods.

"Yeah. Dunno why I'm telling you this, but I do. They're both wonderful to me" she says.

I laugh at her and she laughs, despite herself.

We walk back towards the house, talking about the tribal marks and I give her the rundown on my research, telling her that my wife will help her better.

"Kamaria is going to train you on Gala handling and presentation. Over the next few days, we're going to take turns training you until the day of the event.

If anyone has it out for you, that is going to be the day when they strike. Then we will have an answer" I explain.

She nods and I turn her to me.

"You're not in this alone kid. We have all got your back" I remind her.

She gives me a warm smile.

I let her walk inside and the moment, she's out of earshot, Akousia re-emerges from the corner.

"What do we think?" I ask her.

She shrugs.

"I still think we need more manpower" she responds.

"Manpower will make it obvious that someone is after her. We want her safe" I respond.

She nods in agreement.

"I will find more solutions" Akousia says.

I nod.

Yejide will be protected at all costs.

———————————————
Hey all!

How did you like this one?

Part 2 of the training arc next!

~ Xo.