Hunting Vampires

Chapter 8

Xyla’s muscles ached from her first self-defense session with Kade, and she trudged through the school hallways, trying to ignore the soreness. But she barely had a moment’s rest before Kade appeared beside her again, like he had a knack for finding her when she least expected it.

"You don’t look too happy," he remarked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Gee, wonder why," Xyla said with a smirk. "Maybe because my arms feel like they’re on fire?"

Kade chuckled. "That just means it’s working. You’ll get used to it."

"Used to being sore all the time?" She groaned. "Remind me again why I agreed to this?"

He tilted his head, his gaze steady. "Because you know what’s coming."

She looked away, shifting uncomfortably. "Yeah... I just didn’t expect it to feel so real."

He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You’re tougher than you think, Xyla. And it’s only the beginning."

She swallowed, nodding slowly. "I know. I just have to keep reminding myself of that."

"Good," he said, pulling his hand back. "Now, tonight, same spot, we’ll go over some more advanced moves."

Her eyes widened. "More advanced? Can’t we, I don’t know, ease into this?"

"You’ll thank me later," he replied, grinning as he turned to walk away.

Before she could protest further, Amber popped up beside her, watching Kade’s retreating figure with a skeptical eye. "Are you two... training for something?"

Xyla forced a smile, shrugging casually. "Uh, just… some basic self-defense stuff. Nothing big."

Amber crossed her arms, giving her a knowing look. "Self-defense? With Kade? Since when are you into that?"

Xyla fumbled for a response. "Well, you know… it’s good to know a few moves, just in case."

Amber’s eyebrows shot up. "And here I thought you had enough drama in your life without pretending you’re in an action movie."

Xyla rolled her eyes. "It's just… a precaution. No big deal."

Amber seemed unconvinced but let it drop. "Alright, but don’t let him get into your head too much. That guy’s intense, and I’m not sure how I feel about it."

"I can handle him, Amber," Xyla assured her, glancing down the hallway to where Kade had disappeared. "Trust me."

---

Later that night, Xyla returned to the clearing by the park, finding Kade already there, practicing some swift, precise moves she could barely keep up with.

"Show-off," she muttered as she approached.

He smirked, not missing a beat. "Ready for round two?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders.

Kade adjusted his stance, motioning for her to mirror him. "Okay, today we're working on blocking. Let’s say someone tries to grab you from behind. First, you want to—"

He didn’t get to finish his sentence before Xyla raised an eyebrow and interrupted, "Wait, someone grabbing me from behind? Why does that sound so specific?"

He shot her a look. "Because it’s a very common attack move, Xyla. Now focus."

She sighed, nodding. "Fine. Show me."

Kade demonstrated the move, and Xyla tried to follow along, though her movements were hesitant.

"More force," he encouraged, watching her form critically. "If you don’t put power behind it, it won’t work."

"I’m trying!" she shot back, but there was a hint of laughter in her voice.

He smirked. "Then try harder."

She glared at him before attempting the move again, this time managing to push his arm back slightly.

"Better," he conceded. "Now, let’s move on to countering."

"Countering?" she repeated, a little nervous.

"Yeah. Pretend I’m the one coming at you—grab my arm like I showed you."

Xyla swallowed, taking a step forward, her grip firm as she latched onto his arm. "Like this?"

He nodded. "Exactly. Now pull."

She pulled, using her body weight to leverage against him, and he stumbled slightly, his eyes widening in mild surprise. "Not bad."

She grinned, feeling a rush of pride. "See? I’m a fast learner."

"Don’t let it go to your head," he warned, though he couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips.

Xyla chuckled, stepping back and releasing his arm. "So… when’s the next test? Or was that it for tonight?"

Kade’s face turned serious again. "We still need to go over a few more things, especially for your own safety."

The gravity in his tone made her smile fade, and she nodded, all traces of humor gone. "Alright. I’m ready."

For the next hour, they practiced move after move, each one more challenging than the last. Xyla’s arms were shaking by the end, but she kept pushing herself, determined to absorb everything Kade taught her.

"Alright, that’s enough for tonight," he finally said, noticing her exhaustion.

She exhaled, leaning against a nearby tree. "Thank god."

Kade grinned, handing her a water bottle. "You did good tonight."

She took a sip, glancing at him with a smirk. "Coming from you, that almost sounds like a compliment."

"Take it as one," he replied, his gaze softening.

They stood there in silence for a moment, both catching their breath. Xyla couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had changed between them—something unspoken but undeniable.

"So," she began, trying to fill the silence, "do I get a graduation certificate when I pass your training course?"

Kade chuckled. "Only if you survive."

She rolled her eyes, smiling. "Always so dramatic."

"Just preparing you for reality," he said, his voice gentle but serious.

Xyla looked down, suddenly feeling the weight of everything he’d been telling her. "Kade… thank you. Really."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression warm. "Like I said, I’m here for you, Xyla. Whatever happens."

For a fleeting moment, she wondered if he felt the same strange connection she did, the sense that their lives were inextricably linked. But before she could dwell on it, Kade pulled his hand away, his usual smirk returning.

"Get some rest, warrior. You’re gonna need it."

She laughed softly, feeling a strange mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. "Goodnight, Kade."

"Goodnight, Xyla," he replied, watching her as she left the clearing, his eyes lingering a little longer than usual.