“New instructor? Oh, I—uh, I—” she stammered, her face turning scarlet.
The cluster of girls gave a collective sigh of relief.
I raised my eyebrows and waited. What was he up
to now?
“Why aren’t you dressed?” he asked, eyeing my jeans and tank top.
I folded my arms.
“That’s right.” He snapped his fingers together. “I forgot to give it to you. It’s in the break room. Go suit up. You can help me finish this class.” He winked and walked back into the dojo.
I was going to kill him.
Before I could head off, Patricia tugged on the back of my tank top. “About what we talked about—can you just forget I even said anything?”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. At that moment, I would have told her anything for a chance to get away.
Inside the dojo, Kim motioned me toward the break room with a tilt of his head. “It’s in your locker,” he said.
Goody. Another surprise. I walked past Kim and into the break room, where I skidded to a halt. I knew Kim told me that I’d find it in my locker, but did he really mean for me to find Sumi tugging on the handle? “What are you doing?”
Sumi gasped and let her fingers fall from my locker. She tightened her hands into fists and turned to face me, her face pinched with loathing. “None of your business,” she spat.
I walked toward her. “Actually, you’re screwing around with
my
locker—so that makes it my business.”
“It was supposed to be
my
locker.” Sumi stalked toward me, letting her hair fan behind her like an angry shadow.
We met in the middle of the room, leaving only inches between us. I could feel the anger radiate from her skin in hot prickly waves.
She curled her lip into a snarl. “I don’t know why Kim thinks you’re so special.”
I crossed my arms and lifted a single eyebrow. “And
you
are?”
She leaned in closer. “Some people are meant to be together—like me and Kim. There’s nothing you can do to stop it. You can’t fight destiny.”
Before I could respond, she pushed past me and stormed from the room.
Gritting my teeth, I fought the urge to go after her and rip out that silky hair. Instead, I went to my locker to find out why she had been trying to get inside. “What a total bi—” But the word died on my tongue as a sweet, familiar scent wafted through the vented door. What now? I tried the handle, but it stuck. Aggravated, I jiggled it until it finally gave way. Inside, I found a single cherry blossom perched on top of an envelope.
Curiosity replaced my anger as I plucked the pink flower and brought it to my nose. The soft scent swirled inside of me, dancing its way into my head and tugging on memories just beyond my reach. I tucked the blossom behind my ear and sat down on the floor with the envelope, folding my legs underneath me. I pulled out a handwritten note.
Rileigh,
As a warrior, all I know is to fight for what I want.
Last night you showed me there was a chance.
I won’t give up now.
—Kim
The scent of sandalwood mixed with the blossom, and I knew without looking that Kim had sat beside me. I folded the note and tucked it into my pocket. “About last night … I hope you don’t think things have changed between us.”
“Rileigh, I am sorry for deceiving you again.” He clenched his hands into fists. “You have every right to be upset with me.”
“Damn right I do. You keep asking me to trust you, but how can I? Every other word out of your mouth is a lie.”
“No. The way I feel about you is not a lie.”
I shook my head. “How do I know that? Maybe you’re just a player looking for a score.”
His mouth fell. “How could you say that?”
I waved my hand dismissively, wanting to change the subject. “What happened to your class?”
He sighed. “It’s over. I hope you don’t mind me telling everyone you are the new instructor. You looked like you could use a little saving out there.”
I laughed softly. “Is that what you’re here to do, Kim? Save me?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I think I am the one who needs to be saved.”
I looked into his eyes, and the longing I found there made me shiver.
As if sensing what I saw, Kim averted his eyes. “I trust everything is well at your home?”
I tore my eyes from his face, making it easier for me to concentrate. “Yeah. My mom is going out of town.”
Kim looked thoughtful. “This is good. She will be safe.”
I nodded but wasn’t so sure. Something about Dr. Wendell struck me as not right, but the reason why lay beyond my grasp. It was like trying to look outside through the gauze of lacy curtains.
“The others will be here soon. We can have a short training session before you get settled at Michelle’s.”
I cleared my throat. “Q is going to meet me here. He’s coming with us.” I wanted to make sure he knew by my tone that I wasn’t asking permission.
Kim raised his eyebrows. “He understands the
danger?”
“Probably not, but there’s no talking him out of it.”
“He’s a good friend.”
I smiled. “My best.”
Kim opened his mouth to say something, but appeared to think better of it and snapped it shut. After a moment, he reached out a finger and traced it along my jaw.
My breath caught in my throat, which annoyed me. Why couldn’t I control myself around him? He was a jerk, right? But with his finger igniting sparks along my skin, I couldn’t be sure of anything.
Kim laughed. “Still frowning after all these years … I promise you, I will take care of this.” He leaned forward and my heart jumped in my chest as if reaching for him. “Rileigh,” he whispered, breath warm against my neck, “I wanted to tell you—”
“Hey guys!” Braden called, entering the room with Drew in tow.
Kim abruptly straightened.
Braden stopped walking, his brow furrowed. “What are you guys do—” But before he could finish, Drew shoved his elbow into his ribs. “Ow!” He hugged his stomach. “What was that for?”
Drew groaned and turned back for the door. “We’ll see you in the dojo,” he said over his shoulder.
“What’s going on?” Braden asked.
Drew hit him on the back of his head with his hand.
“Ow!” Braden cried again, following Drew out of the room. I heard him grumble from the other side, “Well, how was I supposed to know?”
I stood and dusted off my jeans. “Well, that was embarrassing.”
“Why?” Kim asked, standing up as well.
“It’s just that … well, you know.”
Kim continued to stare, unblinking.
“Never mind!” I said. I could feel my cheeks warming. “Just forget I said anything.”
Kim stepped in front of me. “I’d rather not,” he answered. “In fact, I’d like it if we could get together later, when this mess has been sorted out. Maybe I could take you to dinner or something. I have things that I would like to say to you.”
I pushed a stray hair behind my ear. “Like a date?”
His eyes darted away. “If you will.”
I knew I had discussed with Quentin earlier the reasons dating was not a good idea. But now, with Kim standing so close, I couldn’t remember any of them.
Luckily, Drew stuck his head in the door before I could answer. “Sorry to interrupt you guys, but someone just showed up looking for Rileigh.”
I smiled. “Quentin.”
Drew motioned for us to follow but stopped in the doorway. “Oh, and before I forget, Kim, you got a delivery.”
Kim frowned. “Odd. It must be the uniforms. I wasn’t expecting them until next week.”
Kim and I stepped into the dojo where Braden was pacing around a large wooden crate. It was about the size and shape of a small chest. The only marking was a red- stamped “FRAGILE” on the side.
“Where did that come from?” Kim asked.
“The UPS guy.” Drew inclined his head toward a brown truck pulling away.
Kim walked closer and inspected the box. “Did they give you a packing order?”
Braden looked around the sides of the box. “No, I don’t see one.”
Lines deepened on Kim’s face. “Braden, go with Rileigh to meet her friend. Drew, grab the crowbar from the closet.”
I was about to tell Kim that I didn’t need an escort when I felt a strange fluttering sensation as I passed the crate. Weird. My nerves were on the fritz. Not too surprising after a week like mine, though. I should be happy that I could still function enough to eat and get dressed. But at the thought of food my stomach roared to life and I remembered that the only things I’d eaten today were two cups of coffee. Score another point for genius Rileigh.
The second I stepped into the lobby, Quentin wrapped me into a massive bear hug. “I’m ready for our slumber party.”
“Can’t … breathe … ” I gasped.
“Sorry.” He released me. “I just can’t imagine everything that you’ve gone through these past couple of days. You must be so freaked. But I don’t want you to worry anymore. I’m here now. And I brought supplies for facials, manies, and pedies.”
I had to laugh. Only Quentin would think it necessary to bring apricot scrub and nail polish on a hideout. “We can’t leave just yet—Michelle’s not here to take us to her house. But that’s okay.” I tugged on his arm. “Now I can introduce you to the guys while we wait for her.” Quentin followed me as I pulled him through the door into the main dojo with Braden trailing behind.
Inside, Drew had Kim’s crowbar wedged under the wooden lid. He gave the metal bar several good thrusts until the lid finally squeezed open a couple of inches while Kim looked on.
A sudden wave of pain exploded inside of my skull. A gasp escaped my lips as I staggered backward.
“Ri-Ri?” Quentin asked, his eyes concerned.
Braden caught me by my elbow as I wobbled on my heels. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I—I don’t know.” I pressed my fingers against the bridge of my nose, but it did nothing to ease the pain. In fact, it seemed to be worsening by the second.
Drew and Kim were so focused on the crate that they hadn’t noticed my freak-out. Drew pumped the crowbar, sending a crack through the wood at the same time another jolt of pain ran through my head. I would have fallen to my knees if it weren’t for Braden’s grip on my arm. After I steadied myself, I could feel it. Through the pain. Inside the crate, coiled and waiting. “Stop!”
Wide-eyed and still holding the crowbar, Drew turned to face me. “What’s the—” But I didn’t let him finish.
I ran to Drew and ripped the crowbar from his hands. “Get away from it.” I held the crowbar up and pointed it at each person in the dojo. “All of you. Stay back.” Cool silk slid through my head and melted the pain.
Braden and Quentin remained frozen by the door. Drew joined Kim at the side of the room, looking to him for the answer.
“Rileigh?” Kim’s question was laced with concern.
“It’s okay. I’ve got it under control.” I glanced into the open crate, and though nothing moved through the shredded packing paper, I could feel its watchful glare. I dropped my voice to a near whisper. “Nobody move.” I slowly backed away from the box and sidestepped to the weapon wall. I stopped in front of a katana and felt the first stirrings of the wind inside my center. My hair fluttered gently around my shoulders. Gritting my teeth against the storm in my chest, I curled my fingers around the blade, and the wind erupted.
My hair thrashed my face, forcing me to close my eyes. Even through the roar of my personal cyclone, I could hear the rattles of various weapons shaking against the wall. I was losing control.
“Concentrate!”
I couldn’t tell who said it, but I listened. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply.
The wind is power. YOUR power. Harness it.
I swallowed hard and opened my eyes. Not entirely sure of what I was doing, I lifted my arm and stretched my fingers wide. I felt a pull as the wind gravitated around my hand. Experimenting further, I turned my palm up and curled my fingers, as if to grab on to the power that licked my skin.
It worked. I couldn’t fight the grin that spread to my face. As I moved my hand in a slow circle, I could feel the energy shift directions as well. Excited, I looked over at Kim.
He stood against the wall with his arms crossed while everyone else huddled together. My heart skipped and I lost focus. The wind around me picked up speed.
With my cheeks burning, I tore my attention from Kim and concentrated instead on my hand and
harnessing the power around it. With a feeling like pushing my fingers through compacted sand, I made a fist and pulled my power back toward my chest. It was as if a hole opened up within me and swallowed the power down. The next thing I knew, everything was calm, but my skin tingled, electrified.
I walked back toward the crate, holding one hand in front of my face with my palm out and flat while the other swung the katana in wide arcs. When I reached the box, I changed my grip on the blade to two hands and readied myself.