OIT IX

Our Intertwined Tale, chapter nine: Weakness

                Sweat poured and dripped silently down my showing body. The hood on my shirt was torn off, and bits of my hair had been sliced off. I was dirtier than before. I had fallen in the dirt many more times than once. The sun was finally setting, and Nolan was still standing in front of me.

He pushed me to the ground with one swift movement, and my body gave in. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had no strength left.

He flipped his head back, staring up at the moon that was getting ready to soar to the center of the sky, “You have gotten better, but you still need much more practice.” He looked back at me again. I was huffing all the air I could get, trying to catch my breath. My lungs hurt, my body ached. I haven’t eaten once today. And I probably won’t until tomorrow.

He used his foot to lift my face up to him, “We don’t have much time. We need to train you until you’re broken.” That struck me. What did he mean by until you’re broken? Did he mean that I was the wild horse and he was the unforgiving trainer? I couldn’t speak no matter how hard I tried. So I only listened.

“I spent all day trying to find out your weakness. And I have found it. You are stubborn, so it had to take this long to find out.” He grinned, staring his emerald iris’ into mine, “You wish to be beautiful and full of grace. You wish to be that and strong. But two things like that cannot live with the other. They are enemies.” He laughed, dropping my face to the ground. I coughed, trying to keep my breathing steady and calm.

He began to speak again: “That weapon I gave you. It is not for physical blows, but for mental ones. It is what it is because you wish to be that. For example, it is a rose because you wish to be beautiful. But it is metallic because you wish to be strong.”

I struggled to stand up, pushing my palm against the merciless earth. But I fell back on my face, hating myself more and more for trying so hard. Before I could fall on my second try, Nolan’s arm took mine. He lifted me up and let me lean on his shoulder for leverage. I smiled feebly at him, but he wasn’t fooled.

“You’re tired.” He exclaimed, showing an example by picking up my chin, “I will have you eat in my headquarters, only because the others will question as to why you look like crap.” He laughed, dropping my chin. It fell back down. Even the little muscles of me ached. He began to talk more and more.

“This is exactly why I am going to give you an elixir of aging bath.” He put my arm over his shoulder. He was taller than I, so I had to walk on my toes and try and not fall again. When he began to speak again, I wondered if he’ll ever get tired of it. He made a joke out of his last sentence, “Of course I’m not going to give you the bath, no sir. One of my members will. It will be a girl, of course. I’m just the one of orders…”

I just couldn’t listen to him anymore. He was wearing me out. He already did that when he kept slicing at me and chopping off my hair. Well, the little that was left. And now he won’t shut up. I leaned my head on his shoulder. When I had, Nolan stopped walking through the dry caves of his castle and peered at me. I could feel his gaze on my nose.

He only stared at me and whispered: “Don’t get too attached.” He then began to walk again, this time going faster. I opened my eyes slightly, seeing his face content and distracted at his next right that he had to make. It was late, even for the members of the paranormal association, so no one would be scurrying about through the castle.

When I looked at his eyes, he looked back. I quickly shut mine, not wanting him to know I was still awake. But I couldn’t help it, he knew I was.

“You suck at hiding.” He insulted as he turned to the right, still speaking. “If you like me that much, you shouldn’t hide it.” He immediately let go, and I could just feel my body giving in. It crashed to the ground, and he glanced at me. I looked pathetic; I could see it in his eyes. I ignored his comment about liking him and spoke for the first time from training.

“I don’t like you.” They were cold words, and I glared at him. I wanted so badly to make up an excuse for why I leaned my head on him, but I knew he would get angry at me. Nolan never took well to excuses.

He only shrugged and grabbed my hand, pulling me up again. I must have been light. He was having no trouble at all. “Anyway, Cassie, come in and eat.” His words were sad and kind, and they immediately made me feel guilty for glaring.

–

When I was in the middle of eating, Nolan peered at his door. “What is it you want, Aria?” He asked them sadly. I hadn’t apologized for my glaring, yet. I wanted to, but now I can’t with Aria around the corner.

I was sitting far from Nolan. I didn’t want any pressure from him or anyone else. From the doors view, I was hidden behind a wall. I could just wait for her to leave.

“Is Cassandra here with you?” Aria asked, “I heard that she began her training.” I immediately froze, silently putting my fork on my plate. I couldn’t move. I didn’t want Aria to be the first one to see me in this state. I looked horrible.

Nolan shook his head and grinned at her, “Unfortunately not. She’s sleeping. You might not want to wake her.” He then nodded, “Come along, then. Better not make Jason wait.”

I’m assuming that Jason is her teacher. He is an alpha and she is a beta. They must be off training soon. Some members prefer to train in the night. Actually, then entire association eats, sleeps and trains. We have a strict schedule. The only members who have free time are the younger ones.

I heard the door click closed, and Nolan looked at me. I immediately looked at my food, moving my peas around.

“Why do you think she needs to talk to you?” He asked it, but he already knew the answer. Any kind of violence that happens within the castle is immediately reported to the leader. And that would be Nolan.

I shrugged, and it was a bad move. He immediately growled under his breath.

“I understand how you feel about Aria. She’s only worried about you. She means well, even if she asks illogical questions. But you shall not strangle a teammate, only if an enemy.” He stopped growling, his eyes becoming sad more than tired.

“I’ve gotten disappointed in you today.” The words felt like a punch to the face. He must have meant because of the glare. He’s the most sensitive man I’ve ever met. And not in a good way.

But I took the punishment he had for me and stood up, handing him my half full plate. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t finish it.” I made up the excuse: “I wasn’t very hungry in the first place.”

He stared at me in disbelief, “Uh, huh. You’re also going to tell me you’re a man, right?” He laughed at his idiotic attempt at humor and continued, “Fine, fine. Go back to your room. You’re going to regret it anyway.”

I walked slowly and somberly back to the front headquarters doors. But before I could escape, he said one last thing.

“Oh, yes, of course. Don’t forget, Cassie. It’s time for your elixir of age bath. Get a spare of clothes and you’ll have an elite ready for you.”

I sighed with impatience.