I punched Dmitri’s palm and ducked as he swung.“I’ve called him home from school. He’ll stay here with Lucius.” Sin walked around us in a wide circle as we sparred.A courier had arrived earlier in the week carrying a missive with the familiar Oakman seal. The trial was set, and my time was up.“He hasn’t been summoned with us tomorrow?” I dodged Dmitri’s hand and smacked him on the back of the head as I dashed past. “For the triathlon?” I added for Dmitri’s sake.“No.” Sin stopped as my opponent and I circled each other.“Isn’t that odd?” I lunged at Dmitri. He caught me around the waist. I threw my hip out and tried to pull him over and flip him, but he kept his balance and shoved me to the wet ground. “Fuck!”“Patience, Krasivaya. Must wait for right opportunity.” Dmitri helped me to my feet. “Surprise, remember?”“I know.” I shook it off and backed away to start again. The clouds overhead threatened another downpour. I wanted to keep practicing.
