Tales & Time (Lost Time Academy #1)(43)

"Roger said something he shouldn't have about you, and he needed to learn a lesson. Trust us, Madi," he says, coming to stand in front of me and reaching for my hand. "It's nothing major, and he will be good as new in a few days, thanks to the nurse at the medic bay."

"Do I have a choice but to trust you?" I ask, linking our fingers together and sighing.

"Yes, but you know you do anyway," he reminds me, leading me back down the stairs together. We head straight to the gym, where Noah opens the door and lets me in first. The lights are already on, and there are mats all over the floors.

"We've had six lessons now, and I've been gentle with the close combat. I feel you need to learn how to trust your instincts," he explains to me.

"How am I meant to do that?" I ask.

"In the same way you trust your powers to protect you, you need to learn to trust your instincts. We aren't human, nor do we have their instincts. We are supernaturals, with increased strength and senses. Those senses keep us alive more than our powers ever could," he explains to me. I guess it makes sense. I should have had serious injuries from the amount of times Roger has dropped me from the ceiling or thrown me into walls at this point.

"I don't understand how to use those," I reply, because seriously, I don’t.

"That's what I'm here for," he says and pulls out a long piece of black fabric from his pocket.

"You are going to blindfold me?" I nervously ask, stepping back.

"Yes, and then you are going to defend yourself from my attacks," he replies, a playful glint in his eyes. He is liking this way too much.

"I can't do that. I'm just going to end up in bruises," I say, shaking my head. I'm not some secret ninja, and there is only one thing that will happen if he attacks while I can't see, and that is my butt getting hurt.

"You can and will. Don't worry, you just need to trust me and yourself," he says, holding the blindfold up. I eye him carefully, knowing I don't have a massive choice in this. I nod once, trusting Noah to guide me even when I can't see a single thing. Noah walks behind me, placing the blindfold over my head, and I hold it in place for him as he ties it up. After he finishes tying the blindfold, he steps away, leaving me alone. The odd thing is I don't hear him walk away, he is silent like a cat.

"Focus," Noah warns me, and I squeal when what feels like a ball flies into my thigh. I know it's a sphere of light that Noah can make as he’s used it to train me before. It doesn't burn; it just feels warm. I spin around, placing my hands out and trying to see where he’s going to send the next one from. A second later, my arm is hit, and I jump backwards. I don't know how long this goes on for, but after a while, I hold my hands up in the air.

"Enough! I give up," I protest, rubbing some of the sore areas he hit twice.

"If I were a dark tale, I would have killed you by now, and you can't give up. We don't give up, Madi. Now focus," he demands and throws a ball of light right into my ass. “Tobias gives up, he always does, and it drives me crazy. Like right now, he has disappeared again, most likely high. You are not Tobias, and you are not giving up already.” I try to ignore the instant worry about Tobias and the fear I can sense in Noah’s voice, but it’s not easy. Dammit, Tobias. When he reappears, I’m knocking his ass out and getting Knox to throw him in the other dimension.

"Stop throwing them at my butt!" I shout at him, and I only hear him laugh in response. Right, I need to focus. Maybe I should call my power and just not use it? When I call my powers, it's like a wave of cold water is thrown on my body, and it makes me focus in a way that I'm not usually focused. Maybe that's what Noah means. I lower my hands to my sides, flattening my palms against my thighs in case I call dust by accident. I find the source of my power, and it instantly washes over me, making me more aware of everything, of every part of my body and my surroundings. The world seems to freeze for a second, and then I hear it. Something coming towards me. I spin around slamming my hand into whatever was aimed at me. The sphere of light crashes into my hand and disappears without hurting me.

"Impressive. See, Madi? You can do this. Now let's continue this for a few hours." I smile and nod my head, before letting my powers take over. I think I'm finally getting good at this “being a little different” thing. Hopefully, I'm good enough to keep myself alive.





Chapter 27





"Are you excited to see who she puts you against today?" Tavvy asks as we run, getting near to the end of the last lap. At least I’m not completely out of breath now. After all this running, I’m slowly getting used to it—slowly being the key word there. I’d happily stay in bed, dreaming of Doritos, which I miss so much.

"I'm excited that Miss A isn't chasing us today because she is too busy chatting with Mr. Newman. That's about it," I reply to Tavvy, glancing quickly over to see Miss A laughing with her hand on Mr. Newman’s shoulder. They are definitely dating or something, not that I know if Miss A is engaged or ever has been. She is still “Miss,” so I doubt it. Maybe teaching is a profession that means you don’t have to get married or something. I will ask about that later, because at this point, I’m happy to teach my whole life away rather than be forced to marry anyone.