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Weapons gleamed in the fluorescent lights from above. Everywhere I looked, there was something deadly ready and waiting. It was incredible, and I couldn’t help but feel a smirk grace my lips.

I turned towards Ethan as he began to gear up. “Where were all of these amazing weapons in training?” I laughed as I spoke. Obviously, someone with no experience would never use any of these very sharp tools.

He glanced back at me over his shoulder and rolled his eyes. “I highly doubt you would have known what to do with them.” Well, that brought a scowl to replace the smirk.

“I’ll have you know, I can handle myself just fine, thank you.” I hefted a sword in my hand and watched it glint, the edge sharp and deadly.

Ethan reached over and snatched it from my hands, “please don’t touch anything. I wouldn’t want to lose you just as I’ve found you.” He paused and chuckled. “My Dragon does not approve either.”

I fumed and fought the urge to stomp my feet. “He seemed to approve just fine when I handed him his ass.” The man before me froze and turned back so slowly I almost didn’t see him move.

His eyes were narrowed, and there was a fire burning within that I assumed was his Dragon also furious. “Ellie, I want to make something crystal clear with you.”

I crossed my arms and sighed. “What now?”

His mouth turned downwards, “I know you think you were in mortal danger while fighting my Dragon. And yes, he, unfortunately, roughed you up a bit. However, and I must stress this, you would have never faced death.” He stepped forward till we were chest to chest. Well, more face to chest, since he towered over me.

His voice was soft now; I heard the love within, but also the warning. “What we possibly face now, you will be completely vulnerable. You don’t yet have control of your budding abilities, and these – things will stop at nothing to snuff your life out.” I was quiet as he stood there, staring down at me.

I felt myself swallow in fear, the thoughts running through my mind a mile a minute. The dream came crashing back to me, and I shuddered. Ethan wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. His warmth seeped through my clothes and calmed me.

“I’m sorry, Ethan. I’m just-” I stopped and looked up at him, the woman from Adrian’s office suddenly coming to mind. “Who is she, Ethan?”

He snapped his head back and tilted his head. “Who?”

I sighed and laid my head on his chest. His heartbeat sounded strong and sure. “The woman from earlier. The one who tried to say I wasn’t good enough for you.”

I could feel him laugh as he held me. “She’s no one, Ellie. You needn’t worry about her.”

“And yet, I do. Because she’s right.”

He pushed me back gently and looked me in the eyes. “No, she isn’t. The only one worthy of me is you. You proved that when you, how did you say it? ‘Handed him his ass’?” 

I quirked an eyebrow, and he laughed again. “Alright, you really want to know who she is?” I nodded.

“She was an old flame from way back, ok? Her name is Rachel, and she’s not very nice, as you can see.” He turned away from me and started to gather weapons again. “She tried to tie my down, didn’t work, of course. I’m a Dragon, and the only one who could do that, well, she hadn’t arrived yet.” He glanced back at me for a moment and then went back to his task.

“But she thought she could.”

“Yes, and I tried to tell her over and over that it was only casual. I wasn’t exactly subtly either, so I don’t really understand what her issue is.”

I couldn’t stop the question that blurted from my mouth next. “How many women have you been with?”

He froze and sighed, straightening upwards and moving to another rack of weapons. “That’s not something you want to know, Ellie. I’m hundreds of years old. What do you think you’re going to hear?” He looked at me. I could see the muscle under his uniform tensing and realized that I was looking at a very handsome man. Of course, he would have been with others before me; it would be stupid to think otherwise.

“I’m not a Saint, Ellie. But you knew that already.” I shook my head and walked towards him, placing my hand on his arm.

“I know you’re a pain in the ass. But it’s ok.” I smiled at him and smiled back. 

“I’m your pain in the ass now.” We laughed softly, only stopping when footsteps sounded down the stairs leading to the underground storage. Adrian appeared with the others that had been in the office.

“Alright then, let’s get this show on the road.”

I saw Rachel glare at me as she moved towards the racks herself, and I inched a bit closer to Ethan. I decided to test our newfound connection.

Ethan…I don’t trust her…

A moment of silence passed before his voice echoed within my mind. Neither do I…