Riggs stiffened. “I don’t know how much help I’ll be,” he hedged.
“Give it a try,” Ryan suggested. “Just step in when you see something you can help with.”
Riggs shot me a haunted look and followed Ryan away from us.
Sid had already paired up with Adilyn. Nar sidled up to me, but his eyes rose to the hilt above my shoulder. “I’ll agree to a rendezvous, so long as it isn’t against that.”
I pulled the scabbard off my shoulder and laid it aside. “Much as you might deserve it, a one-legged teammate might be a disadvantage on a mission.” I picked up a wooden sword.
You might need the real thing against that dude.Riggs didn’t even look at me while he hovered near one of the other teams.
I can handle him,I stated.
Not sure about assisting this crew,he said.I can’t remember my own training. How can I help anyone else?
Your training is there. Just follow your instincts.
I sensed his doubt, but then one of the students messed up their footwork and almost tripped over their own weapon. Hemoved in to show them how to balance properly, and within moments, he was completely engaged.
I relaxed, too, and met Nar’s eye as we circled each other.
“This isn’t the interaction I’d dreamed of for us.” The Sea Krayt waggled his eyebrows.
I snorted a laugh. “I’m afraid dreams are all you will have.”
“Count yourself lucky she isn’t using the real effing sword,” Adilyn stated as she poked at Sid with her practice weapon.
Leah stood to one side, waiting her turn. Her eyes seldom strayed from Nar’s lean form. “I like the number of holes he has. He doesn’t need new ones.”
Nar glanced at her and raised a brow. I took advantage of his momentary distraction, and attacked. Landed three resounding “thunks” on various parts of his anatomy before I danced away again.
“Ouch,” he complained. “I ought to give you a nibble. That would slow you down.”
I grinned at him. “Just try it.” I came at him again, but was less successful without the distraction. He wasn’t good at offense, but his lean body slithered away from my strikes, much like the sea snake he actually was.
It was a good workout for both of us, and at first, I didn’t notice the other students slowing, and halting. Then within minutes, everyone had stopped fighting and were gathering in groups, whispering.
What’s going on?I asked.
Riggs didn’t answer at first, and with a tingle of unease, I realized he’d walled himself off. I dropped my practice sword in the pile nearby, shouldered the real one, and looked for his distinctive tall form among the milling students.
I spotted Cara before I saw him. She emerged from the back entrance, and her eyes scanned the group.
I pushed through them, to her. Her expression had my gut clenching with dread.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Where is Riggs?” was all she said.
Then he was there. Breathless, standing next to me. Our link vibrated with a silent, deadly calm.
“Is it true?” he asked her.
“Is what true?” I looked from him, to her.
I’d never seen such a grim look on her face. It terrified me.
“The Emperor is dead,” she said. “And Tyrez has been accused of killing him.”
