Chapter 207. Training Session

Calliope slid her right foot backward; a short trail of dust followed before settling. I watched, silent and unsure. She’d told me to meet her in the clearing that night—possibly for training—but until now she'd said nothing. She curled the fingers of her left hand into a fist and stretched it toward me, brows drawing together. I squinted. I knew exactly where this was going.

She lowered her right fist to stomach level and, in a whisper loud enough for Anemone and Wayne—who sat like spectators at the foot of Maliyah’s statue—to hear, said, “Attack.”

“Y-you want me to attack you?” I asked, one eyebrow rising.

“Yes,” Calliope said.

“I thought I was here so you could teach me how to survive the academy.” I took a step back, concern carved into my face. Attacking Calliope in my condition would be a death wish. She was the strongest person I knew after Rowan—not that I’d ever seen her fight, but with the eyes of a creature of the dark, I could tell.

“Well. Y