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Zane widens his stance, winking at me. “Bring it on.”

I simply step forward, and Zane shifts, blocking me easily. “With a shorter weapon, you need to move faster and think smarter,” Uriel says, watching.

I frown and step back. Zane moves quickly, shifting on his feet and lunging toward me. I feel a slight twinge from deep within, some dormant part of me stirring, but I stumble and fall to the ground, cursing.

“What the fuck, Zane?” Connor yells.

Zane quirks a brow and smiles at me cockily. “At least stand your ground.”

Uriel hits Zane across the back of the head. “What did that prove?”

“That I was not built to be a warrior.” I stand, dusting myself off.

“Let me show her, Dad,” Connor says.

He walks into the ring, and I adjust my grip on the dagger, thinking he is going to take up a stance across from me. Instead, Connor kisses my forehead and gently ushers me out of the ring. Disappointment and shame writhe through me. I know he only wants to protect me, but he truly doesn’t believe I can learn how to fight. I feel breakable and weak, but maybe he is right. Connor’s obvious lack of confidence in me adds a layer of vulnerability when I already feel so exposed.

With my eyes on the ground, I find a spot out of the way and sit down. When I came here, I knew I had no chance. I knew I would be useless, but I don’t like the feeling of defencelessness, and I like Connor taking over for me even less. I force my gaze up, determined to at least pick up anything I can by watching.

Zane smirks at Connor and takes up his fighting stance again. Connor summons his own holy sword, which is much more impressive and intricate than Zane’s. I watch the way they square up, assessing each other. Zane swings, but Connor moves at the last possible second, and Zane’s sword misses him by a breath. Connor brings the hilt of his sword up and hits Zane in the chin. Zane drops to the ground. Uriel snaps his fingers, and Zach jumps in to take Zane’s place, facing off with Connor. Zach feigns a swing toward Connor’s neck but drops his strike, slicing at his legs. Connor is forced off balance, and Zach takes advantage. Connor anticipates Zach’s rush, and the second Zach commits to his course, Connor sweeps his legs out from under him, using the momentum to push him down. Zach hits the ground hard, and Connor lays his holy sword against his neck.

Zach and Zane switch out another few times, but neither of them can take down Connor, even with Uriel calling out instructions.

“Enough,” Uriel commands after a few rounds.

Connor releases his brother, winking at him.

Uriel looks between the three of them, nodding. “You have combat classes. Make sure to take them seriously. Summer, I expect you to keep training with that dagger. Go home and say goodbye to your mother before heading back to Avalon.”

We all say goodbye to Uriel since he plans to stay and do additional training with his Legion. I slide my hand into Connor’s as we step back into the elevator, and I once again consider my weakness. Perhaps it’s time to try harder in combat classes.

49

Summer

The elevator opens to the lush lawn once again. Farrah is sitting on the porch, looking through a large binder, a fluffy cream blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She looks up when we leave the elevator, smiling brightly at us.

“Mom, we have to head back to school,” Connor says as we approach the porch. Her smile falls, and there is a clear longing in her eyes for her children to be close to her.

“Already? But you just got here!” She closes the binder and sits forward.

“I know. The weekend was short.” Connor takes her hand.

Farrah nods as she stands up and pulls him into a hug. Luke comes out of the house, looking around for someone. His brows draw when he doesn’t find who he’s looking for.

Farrah whispers something into Connor’s ear, and he groans, his ears flushing a little in embarrassment.

“Mom… stop.” He makes a strangled sound, pulling back from her. Farrah cups his cheeks and kisses his face. Connors’ shoulders visibly relax, and he chuckles as his mom loves onhim. Farrah then moves her attention to the twins, giving them equal amounts of affection.

“Now. You two, don’t get into too much trouble.” She cups one of Zach’s cheeks and one of Zane’s, her gaze a blend of desperate love and grave seriousness. “And, Zach, I want to hear all about this mystery girl.”

“There’s no girl.” Zach sighs, rolling his eyes.

Zane coughs loudly as if trying to clear his throat. Farrah looks at him, then back at Zach. “You know, Zach, my darling, feigning ignorance is a lie, and you just made your brother choke on it.”

Zane bursts out laughing, his face still slightly pink from his coughing fit.

Farrah shakes her head and then cuddles Luke. He engulfs her in his arms, holding her tenderly, the love flowing between them one of the most beautiful and pure things I have ever seen. She pulls back and kisses Luke on the cheek before turning to me and pulling me into a hug.