Dark Empathy by Archibald Bradford (inspiring books for teens TXT) 📕

tabs on another training bout, so it was just the four of them in the corner, with Nina watching from her perch on her hammer against the wall.

Volka drew in a deep breath as a look of determination spread across her face.

“No weapon you wield in practice could ever concern me so much as the thought of you going out into the world unprepared.” As she spoke she walked away from them, mentally counting her paces until she reached ten; “Milly, Erica, take a moment to rest. I would train with our husband alone.”

“What do you-” Nameless began but was cut off as she let out a battle-cry, surprising a nearby group of combatants.

He now found himself facing the charge of an angry angel, and he really didn’t like it.

And unfortunately for him, he couldn’t figure out what to do about it before she slammed into him, knocking him onto his ass on the padded floor.

“A poor showing, my love. Stand up, we try again.”

The Valkyrie paced off for another go as he scrambled to his feet, more than a little sore now.

“Volka what-”

She charged once again, and again he wound up flat on his back, this time with the wind knocked from his lungs.

“Again!” She all but dragged him to his feet before walking back to the same spot as before; “Remember, I am your enemy now! If you do not stop me, innocent lives will be lost! So we go again!”

Most of the other training bouts had paused at the intense display, a lot of eyes were now watching, though neither of them noticed.

This time, Nameless had the sense to pull a goo bomb from his belt, but as she charged, he didn’t use it.

Instead he tried to roll to one side, much as he had seen Milly and Erica do to avoid similar attacks.

But they had practiced the move extensively in advance, he had not.

Stars burst into his head as Volka easily adjusted her charge to accommodate for his clumsy dodge.

To make matters worse he could feel her annoyance, and the annoyance of his other bond-mates, with his own powers.

Even Milly had no sympathy for him at this point.

Ultimately it was the Minotaur’s emotions that got him past his hesitation. So as Volka set up to charge him for the fifth time, he took up a canister in each hand, keeping his fists behind his hips as his Valkyrie once more let loose with her unsettling war-cry.

Have to time it right...

And indeed his timing was perfect, but Volka saw the throw coming and leapt over the grenade... only to hear it skitter harmlessly across the matted floor behind her, the device having never been armed.

She was mid-leap though, and had no time to ponder the implications as he threw the second one.

The impact with her stomach was negligible, she hardly felt it, but she smiled wide when she felt her mid-section and right side get enveloped in the sticky goo as the ingenious little device went off, much of its contents splattering harmlessly to the padded floor behind her.

He dove to the side again, but this time out of necessity as she tumbled down where he had been standing, no longer able to control her jump with her goo-covered wing.

It was not a graceful landing.

Though her helmet was knocked off of her head by the impact, the brunt of the impact was absorbed by the gunk as she hit the floor.

Her right side, wing and leg were covered from neck to ankles, it having already hardened to a rubbery consistency.

There was a yell and a whoop from one side, followed by enthusiastic applause from Ginger as the confrontation ended.

“Did you see that?!” She demanded of an unhappy looking Wolfen next to her; “That was a perfect toss! I mean, did you SEE that?! Caught her center mass, while she was in the air!!”

Despite the redhead’s overweening enthusiasm, Nameless wasn’t proud of the accomplishment; the second he had regained his feet he was kneeling by the restrained angel, helping her to roll onto her back.

“Volka! Are you alrig-”

Her hair was a mess and her cheek was red from rubbing against the floor, but the look of pride on her face, and the feeling of it that he could sense from her heartstone set in the center of her shield, caused his words to falter.

“I am fine Husband. Better than, actually. That was well done.”

“Indeed cadet, it was exemplary work.” Kavanaugh observed, but then he rounded on the other cadets and their monster girls; “But why are you all standing around and staring for?! I want ten laps around the salle from each of you, and don’t let me catch you using your wings Celeste!”

As the other cadets broke off to obey his instructions he turned back to face Nameless and his bond-mates.

“Armstrong! You can do yours once you free your bond-mate. Now get the solvent, double time!”

“Is it just me or is he really pissed about something?” Erica whispered to Milly.

Unfortunately she didn’t whisper as quietly as she thought, as became apparent when the irate instructor rounded on her.

“WHY AREN’T YOU RUNNING ALREADY WHISKERS?!”

She let out a startled yowl and her tail puffed up, but she did as she was told along with her bond-sister.

The fact was, the veteran Valkyrie had co-opted the lesson and Kavanaugh felt the need to jingle the chain of command a bit to remind the cadets who was in charge.

Chapter 24:Bedside and Broomstick

Escrya was unconscious for the better part of the day, and when she came to she almost wished she hadn’t.

She hurt.

She hurt in ways she didn’t realize a person or monster could hurt.

Hearing her groan, a delicate and soothing hand wiped at her brow.