Semper Mine (Sons of War #1)(17)

“Where’s Ms. Khavalov?” I ask her.

“She’s not ready yet.”

How does a bed wetting six-year-old show up a full-grown woman?

“Tanner, move out to the pit,” I instruct the oldest boy. “Stay in a line. No one leaves the trail. Understood?”

More yes, captain and yes, sir mumbles. The kids turn and begin walking.

I trot inside. The door to our room is closed, so I knock. “You almost ready?”

“Yes!”

By her tone, I’m in for a hell of a morning. I can’t help smiling at the amount of resentment I hear.

“We’ll be at the pit. Don’t forget your water. Grommets out,” I respond. I don’t stick around to learn how well she can throw shoes but join the kids and continue walking with them in the dark to the pit, a large area with a soft layer of woodchips. In the Corps, we use a place like this for any number of drills, from combat arms training to morning push-ups to accountability formations.

“We’ll start with some jumping jacks,” I tell the kids. “Ready? Start!”

“Starting them young and early, I see,” a female voice teases from behind me.

I turn to see Captain Harper, dressed for a run. We’ve worked together for about six months, and she’s never failed my team, no matter what I’ve asked of her. The opposite of Katya, she’s disciplined and motivated. I always enjoy talking to her. It’s easy to be around someone with similar priorities and values.

Something I didn’t realize until trying to understand Katya more. The friction I feel dealing with Khav’s sister isn’t here, and it’s kinda nice not to have it hanging over my head.

“You want me to give you a hand?” Captain Harper asks.

“Sure.”





Chapter Eight: Katya


Have I ever voluntarily been up this early? I stayed up with Petr for days straight in the hospital, but this is different. This is camp. I need coffee and a hot shower before I’m ready to start my day. I’m not sure why I’m staggering around the room getting dressed as quickly as possible. I’d like to think it’s because the kids might need me.

But I’m pretty sure it’s because my sleepy mind is listening to Captain Mathis’ curt order.

With a sigh, I sweep my hair up into a ponytail and walk through the dorm, emerging into a chilly morning. In shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt, I’m shivering by the time I make it to the place he calls the pit.

The kids are doing laps. I slow and stare, surprised to see them running around the pit while Captain Mathis stands with someone else in the center. He’s dressed similarly in short shorts that reveal the long, thick thighs of a swimmer.

He had to have nice thighs.

More irritated at him, I fold my arms across my chest and approach. The easy smile on his face fades when he catches sight of me. I can almost see him tense. The woman with him, who I recognize from yesterday, turns to face me.

“Good morning,” Captain Harper says with a smile. Perky and alert, she looks the opposite of how I feel.

“Morning,” I respond.

“Now that your partner’s here, I’ll take off,” she says to Captain Mathis. “Have fun!”

She leaves, taking with her the cheerful atmosphere.

Captain Mathis and I gaze at each other.

“Five o’clock,” he begins.

“If you have coffee ready at that hour, I’ll consider it.”

His jaw clenches. “Do you have any self-defense training?”

“No. Baba said that’s why I had two brothers.”

“Everyone should know something,” Captain Mathis replies. “I know you can slap. Punch?”

I almost smile but shake my head.

“This will be interesting,” he states and beckons me towards him. “I want to teach the kids some basics.”

“Train them to kill young?” I ask, glaring at him.

Captain Mathis watches the running kids. “Train them to take care of themselves. A sense of vulnerability often comes with the death of a loved one. It might help build confidence and …” He faces me and stops.

The awkward silence is heavy. I’m trying to keep my face expressionless, but not emoting is not my forte. It’s too early to hide the pain I feel at the reminder. Captain Mathis searches my face briefly with his brown eyes then takes a step towards me.

It’s hard for me not to want to scream every time we stumble on even the most innocent inference to Mikael’s death. I can’t forget that my brother isn’t coming home because of the man standing in front of me.

“It’ll be good for you to learn,” he says and rests his hands on my shoulders, shifting my body. He squares me to face him. “This is a good stance for you for our drills.”

“Because somehow this will help me forget Mikael’s death?” I challenge.

Every once in a while, something sparks in his eyes that makes me think I’ve hit some emotion. Just as quickly, it’s gone.

“No, Katya,” he says quietly. “Because everyone should know the basics.” He drops his hands.

I watch him move away.

“Fall in!” he belts to the kids.

They scramble to face him, lining up from tallest to shortest.