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“Look who’s back,” Max croons, smirking.

I simply nod and go to the treadmill.

“Come fight,” Max says from behind me.

I surprise myself by laughing. “You’re like a broken record.”

“And? That’s how you improve.”

I roll my eyes but turn off the treadmill. Following Max into the sparring room, I start to stretch.

“Did you practice over break?” he asks.

“Surprisingly, yes.”

Max nods and then throws a punch at me. I dodge easily and duck under his arm. Twisting around so I’m at his back, I jab him in the kidney.

Over the break, Alice and I had gotten into so many fights with other vampires that my confidence in my instincts has grown. I still don’t love tapping into my fae powers, but I’m definitely more able to lean into them when needed.

Max winces and actually stumbles. He recovers quickly and resumes his stance, ready to attack. Hoping to take him by surprise, I drop and swipe his legs with mine, trying to take him to the ground. He jumps at the last second, and I miss him.

“Faster,” he growls.

I jump to my feet and throw another punch. Max barely dodges this time, and my chest swells with satisfaction, but I don’t have the chance to sit in the feeling. Max throws his fist, aiming at my head. I lean back, avoiding the strike, and Max’s eyes flash green, his veins bulging as he lets the berserker out to play a little. He even gets a little taller.

“I land a hit. I break a bone. Fight like your life depends on it,” he snarls as he throws another punch. This one I struggle to avoid. Max gets even bigger, his eyes glowing brighter. “Take me down. Prove you can.”

I dodge another attack, then another, waiting for my moment. Max is stronger and bigger. I won’t win against his physicality. I have to be smarter and faster. Max lunges toward me, pushing me back. In the second his balance is off, I land a hit in the center of his chest and drop to the ground, swiping his legs out from under him. He hits the mat hard, his increased size also increasing his weight. I roll on top of him and pin his arms above his head, one of my legs over his, holding them down. He snarls up at me, and I can see he’s fighting the instinct to go full berserker. I don’t back down, though, not yet.

“Down, boy.” I smirk, tilting my head.

The rage on Max’s face melts into severe annoyance, his eyes no longer glowing berserker green. He glares up at me. “Sucha bitch.” He tries to shift beneath me but can’t move. “Well, I suppose you’re only partially useless.”

I burst out laughing, keeping him pinned there.

Max’s cheeks flush, and he clears his throat. “You going to let go of me? Cause this is about to get awkward.”

I frown and tip my head in confusion. Max shifts, and I feel something hard against my thigh. It takes me a long moment before I realize what it is. I roll my eyes and scramble off him, purposely kneeing him in the stomach.

Max grunts and sits up, covering his boner. “Don’t judge me. I have a thing for women who can kick my ass.”

I stand and offer him my hand. “I’m hot as fuck, Max. Just admit it.”

“So am I. Admit it,” Max says, allowing me to help him up.

“You’re the one with a mega boner.”

Max snorts. “It’s a boner, not a snake. I can’t control it.”

I roll my eyes. “My mistake, I forgot you’re a fourteen-year-old boy. Later.”

Max salutes me. “Ice when you get home.”

I flip him off over my shoulder.

“See you tomorrow, Daanan.”

I walk down the hall toward our dorm but hesitate when I notice a small bag sitting on the stoop. It’s leaning harmlessly against the door, but I am still very wary. I look up and down the hall as if whoever left this gift might still be here. Given the early hour, it’s unsurprising there is no one around.