See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(45)

“Don’t be jealous. I look fantastic. You only wish you could work these shorts," he said, lifting his leg up, making his shorts all but indecent.

“How do you ever get dates Ian, seriously?" I snickered, wiping the tears from my eyes.

“The ladies love a man who isn’t afraid to where some sparkle," Ian said, winking at me.

“Riiiiggghhhht. Maybe you are still stuck in the disco era. Did you do too many drugs back when free love was the thing?" I asked, hoping that too many acid trips might be to blame for his abysmal choice in clothing.

“I just say no. Thank you very much," Ian huffed.

I moved toward the kitchen and was stopped in my tracks by the sight of Kennan. Now there was a man who knew how to dress, or not dress for the matter. Kennan stood in the kitchen wearing a pair of running shorts and nothing else. His tattoos were the only thing clothing his torso. God, I wanted to lick every single one of them. I must have been gawking, because Ian bumped into my shoulder and leaned down to whisper in my ear.

“See something you like?” he asked cheekily.

I just shot him a glare before moving to the table where Kennan was dishing up breakfast for everyone. I took a huge drink of my coffee hoping to clear my throat and calm my nerves. Instead, I burnt my tongue and almost spewed coffee all over the table.

It looked to be another banner day for Izzy Boone.

“So, what is on my training agenda sensei?" I asked Kennan, hoping my voice did not sound as strained as I thought it did.

Kennan cleared his throat, so I was busted after all.

“Well, first we are going for a trail run. Then we are going to work on some basic self-defense which is where Ian comes in. He is a hand to hand combat instructor for the Council. Almost all new Guardians and Seers go through his courses. Then, you and I will work on wards.”

“Sounds like a full day. What about my mom’s ceremony?" I asked.

“We were going to do that this evening around a bonfire.” Ian said before shaking himself from whatever memory had pulled him under.

“Well eat up there champ, we are going to run you ragged today," Kennan said before plopping down next to me with a plate piled high.

After breakfast, I went back to my room to find some running shoes and found a pair of trail runners. I just shook my head at the preparedness of Kennan. I was kind of terrified of running with the two brutes out in the living room. They were at least a foot taller than me and both were in way better physical condition than I was. To be honest, I was even more terrified of the hand to hand combat training later on. I had never hit anyone in my life. I shook off my apprehension and went out to meet the guys.

“Ready, Red?" Kennan asked, shaking his legs out like he couldn’t wait to lope through the forest.

“Yeah, think you can keep up, Little Bit?" Ian asked before darting out the door.

“Do I need any mental wards today?" I asked, wondering if I would be safe without them. Having the connection severed felt unnatural.

“Do you need them, or do you think you can block them if they try and hack in?" Kennan asked.

“I think I can block them. I know what it feels like now when someone is trying to hack my head. So if I start to feel it and I can’t stop it I will let you know. Does that work?”

“I don’t think they will try now at any rate. I have had you stashed away up here for a while now. They are probably searching for other means to find you now," Kennan said before walking out the door in front of me.

I stepped out and was greeted by the return of grey skies and drizzle. The rain was icy against my skin making me wonder if it had come straight down from the North Pole. I shivered and looked over to the two men who would train me. Kennan was the shirtless wonder and Ian was the strangely dressed accessory.

“Bah, it is so cold out here," I whined. Temperate rainforest my bum, this place was cold.

“It wouldn’t be cold if you got your tushy moving," Ian mocked.

I just glared at him as I tried to warm up.

“Well, you lead the way since you are so pumped. Or should we try some jazzercise first?" I said with a smile.

“You really should not have asked that. He taught jazzercise in the eighties you know?" Kennan said, trying to talk so Ian could not hear what he was saying.

“I won instructor of the year," Ian crooned. “Truth be told, I did it for the ladies in the skimpy outfits bouncing around," he said with an eyebrow wiggle.

“Well with that awesome mental picture, let’s hop to it. Otherwise I will turn into an Izzy-cicle and be useless," I smiled as I headed out toward the woods, hoping that I was heading in the right direction.

Ian cut in front of me and Kennan moved to flank me like it was some sort of military formation. We ran that way for a couple of miles, until the trail narrowed and we were forced to run single file. I was surprised that I was able to run as far as I did. I guess all of that pedaling back in Chicago combined with my hiking trips here had kept me in better shape than I thought. I still did not like it though. Running without something bad chasing me seemed to be a waste of energy.

“Hey, can you growl or something?" I huffed out toward Kennan as he ran behind me.

“What?" he asked, not winded at all.

The bastard.

“Well,” I huffed, “it might make running easier if something is chasing me," I said.