Page 15 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

“ G ood,” said Quinn as the dagger Ava flung hit the edge of the target at the other end of the training ring.

“I’m nowhere close to hitting the center,” Ava lamented.

“At least you’re hitting the target now.”

A week after they’d arrived back in Mosshaven and she was still struggling with daggers, despite Zeph’s attempts to help on the ship. Ava much preferred the ease of the sword or bow and arrow.

Ava sighed. “Yeah, I guess.”

Quinn crossed her arms. Her long black hair swished in its intricate braid as she scrutinized Ava. “What’s up with you today?”

Ava shook out her arms. “Sorry. I haven’t been sleeping well recently. I’m fine.”

Quinn strode to the target, retrieving Ava’s dagger.

What she didn’t tell Quinn was that over the last week, she’d begun to have nightmares.

The trauma she’d experienced at the hands of the daemons was starting to make itself known, cracks in her carefully constructed box threatening to reveal her grief and fear that she still scrambled to shove away.

Quinn turned around, mischief in her upturned brown eyes.

Before Ava could prepare herself, Quinn had her in a hold with a dagger to her throat faster than seemed possible.

Though a couple of inches shorter than Ava’s tall frame, Quinn was much stronger and quicker.

Plus, she was fae and Ava was still human.

“Shit,” Ava muttered.

“You weren’t prepared. That’s what happens when you’re tired and lose focus.” Quinn tightened her grip on Ava’s arm and pulled the practice dagger tighter to her throat. “Now get out of this hold. And don’t hold back this time. Hurt me.”

Ava shoved down the memory of Corvus in this same position, and used her free hand to yank down on Quinn’s forearm.

It took all her strength, and it was obvious Quinn allowed it.

She ducked under Quinn’s arm and twisted it against her back pressing hard until her grip loosened on the dagger.

Ava plucked the dagger from Quinn’s hand and pointed it at her as she kept hold of her arm.

“Good,” said Quinn.

Quinn swept a leg back, catching Ava’s own and yanking it forward, landing her on her back. The dagger fell to the ground and she wheezed as the air was knocked from her lungs.

“But not good enough,” Quinn said, standing above her. “Once you get out of the hold, you need to get that dagger and back away as quickly as possible before your enemy can get a hold of you again.”

Ava nodded, unable to speak as she continued to gasp for air. After a few moments, she crawled off the ground and stood. “I’m not fast enough as a human.”

“I know, but you must do better than whatever that was. You think anything you might face on the journey will care that you don’t have your fae abilities yet? ”

“No.”

“Okay then. You need to be faster.”

“How?”

“Stop overthinking everything,” Quinn said as she flung a dagger at Ava.

It hit her in the thigh and bounced off. They were using dull wooden practice daggers, but it would still leave a gruesome bruise.

“Dammit,” Ava said as she rubbed her leg. “Casimir was right. You’re the mean one.”

Quinn grinned. “That’s why I’m second in command. Now stop complaining. If that dagger was real, you’d be bleeding out right now. You’re off your game today. Take five minutes for water and we’re going again.”

Ava slumped to the ground against the low stone wall which cordoned off the training area. Quinn was harsh but Ava appreciated it and enjoyed the connection with another woman, hoping their friendship would grow and she’d continue to connect with Raine’s sister, Fanya, as well.

She took a swig from the water skin and observed the soldiers practicing in the other rings spread across the training field.

Pax was squaring off with someone Ava didn’t recognize, obviously working off his grief if the determination in his eyes was any indicator.

They lunged at each other and parried with their swords, the peal of metal ringing as their weapons met.

“I’ll never move that fast,” Ava said to herself as she watched the orc.

“Sure you will, dainty human.”

Ava turned to find Raine standing outside the wall, smiling down at her.

“Time’s up,” said Quinn. “On your feet.”

Ava took one last drink of water and rose.

“Are you alright?” whispered Raine.

“I’m fine,” she lied. “Just tired. ”

He narrowed his eyes as if he didn’t believe her.

“Well, show me what you got,” he said.

“Oh no you don’t,” barked Quinn. “Since you’re interrupting, get your ass in here and help, pretty boy.”

“Fine.” Raine hopped over the stone wall with ease, stopping in the center of the ring. “How can I be of service?” He gave a sarcastic bow.

Quinn glanced at Ava, still standing on the edge of the ring. “Stay there.”

She whirled to face Raine and flung a dagger at him much faster than she’d ever thrown one at Ava.

“Fuck,” Raine yelped as he dodged the projectile.

Quinn had four more daggers in her hand and released them in quick succession, forcing Raine to pay attention as he evaded each throw. After avoiding the five blades, Raine shook his head and glared at Quinn.

“You could have warned me.”

Quinn rolled her eyes and looked at Ava.

“You want me to do that ?” Ava asked.

“Yep,” said Quinn. “Get over here.”