Sword Play Read online

  “Ashley, it’s no big deal,” Amy insisted. “I’m just tutoring Leanna.”

  “Then I want to tutor, too.”

  “You suck at spelling. You only got a C on your last test.”

  “C plus!”

  “Can you spell curious, opposite, reflection, or challenge?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I’m still going with you.”

  “You weren’t invited.”

  “Leanna is my best friend!”

  “Then why hasn’t she ever invited you over?”

  “Maybe her house is a mess or smells bad. I don’t even care, I just want to go there. There’s no way you get to and not me.”

  I thought Ashley was acting like a spoiled brat, but I knew better than to take sides. Besides I felt a little guilty, wondering if I was part of the reason Ashley hadn’t been welcome in her best friend’s house. So I said nothing and sat quietly at the table, eating lasagna.

  Mom showed up a few minutes later, though, and she had plenty to say. She bristled with indignation like she’d been personally insulted. Soon she was on the phone talking to Mrs. Hurst. When she hung up she wore a triumphant look, and announced that they were all going to the Hurst house.

  Of course “all” didn’t include me, and no one suggested I go along. I understood why, yet found myself feeling a bit like Cinderella being left behind while her sisters dashed off to the ball.

  A short while later, they were gone. Dad was still at his office (as usual).

  I thought how ironic it was that Mom had invited me back so I could be a part of our family. But what family? I was here alone; stranded on an island called home.

  Feeling aimless, I searched the freezer until I found a quart of French vanilla ice cream. I usually resisted emotional eating, but now I didn’t care. So I settled into a leather recliner in the living room and kept switching channels, not sure what to watch. The house seemed big and empty when no one else was around. I never felt lonely at Nona’s house, even when she wasn’t there.

  And Dominic is always close by, too, I thought. Then despite the cool ice cream in my mouth, I felt hot all over. I quickly shut off those thoughts.

  I knew I should do my school assignments. But I started thinking about Kip, having a sense he was nearby although I couldn’t see him. Was his energy fading? I wondered.

  He’d given me his message. Now I just had to figure it out.

  Despite Amy’s theory about Leanna, I was positive Kip wanted me to help Aileen. She’d never be happy if she didn’t get over his death. She needed a new guy in her life; someone who wouldn’t propose just to break her chastity contract. Because I was sure that’s what Kip did.

  So how to help Aileen?

  But how could I find the right guy for her? I was far from an expert in romance, muddling through my own relationship with massive amounts of confusion. I needed to get some advice from a professional.

  Fortunately, I knew one.

  “Of course!” I snapped my fingers. “Soul-Mate Matches.”

  Calling for matchmaking tips would accomplish two things: checking up on Nona and helping Aileen. Asking for Nona’s assistance would also give me an excuse (without offending her pride) to see how she’s doing. I still felt uneasy after Nona’s failing memory. How could she think Brianne was still my best friend? It was like her mind short-circuited, making her think she was living in the past.

  Before I could call my grandmother, the phone rang.

  Not Nona, I knew as reached for the phone. Someone older than me that I respected, a person of authority, a teacher …

  “Good afternoon, Sabine,” Mr. Landreth greeted.

  I knew immediately what this was about, and I almost laughed at my former teacher’s persistence. He was determined to bring me back into fencing by having me assist his beginner’s class. That job would mean dealing with annoying kids like Kevin and also answering the same beginner-type questions over and over. It would require loads of patience.

  I listened while my former teacher listed reasons why I should work for him. He told me I was responsible, helpful, and talented. He even offered a very attractive wage to tempt me. I let him go on for a bit, enjoying the compliments. He made it sound like I’d be doing him a big favor if I just agreed to assist a few hours a week.

  But really he was the one doing me the favor.

  I looked around at the empty room, where the only sound came from the hum of the refrigerator. I made a bitter face at the thick folder full of school assignments. I really, really wasn’t in the mood for homework. I needed to be around people, to keep active, to get my mind off problems and do something interesting.

  So I accepted the job.

  I had no idea I’d just put myself in the path of danger, and by this evening, something terrible would happen.

  In one corner of the room, beginners lined up against a wall, decked out in bulky, protective canvas suits and waving sabers. That’s where I was supposed to focus, but my attention kept wandering to the elite group on the other side of the room.

  When I’d arrived and saw the members of Foils practicing, I tried to act cool like I hardly noticed them. I gave a casual wave at Vin. He lifted his saber and shouted out “Hey, Sabine!”

  I waved back, glad he was over being mad at me for not answering his questions about Brianne. Not that I had any answers. I had no clue what was up with that girl. Her whole Jekyll and Hyde freak show confused me. Before Kip’s death we’d been so close, then suddenly she hated me for no obvious reason.

  Brianne’s loss, I told myself. But her betrayal still cut deep and my gaze drifted in her direction.

  Damn her anyway, I thought angrily as I spotted her across the room. If she hadn’t signed that petition, I’d still be in Foils. I could have endured the cruel rumors and even stood up to my mother if I’d had Brianne’s support. But when she turned against me, I just didn’t care enough to fight. The real reason I’d left town and started over wasn’t because of the rumors, but because I’d lost my best friend.

  Even decked out in bulky protective gear, she looked more fragile than I remembered. But her fencing style was still bold and aggressive. She preferred to attack, seldom taking the defensive role. In a way, this made her an easier opponent because I could guess what she would do next. In fencing, anyway. Not when it came to friendship.

  Brianne’s fencing moves had improved, so much, I wondered if I could still beat her. She’d developed stronger defense skills; sidestepping and jumping back when I expected her to lunge forward. She played with intensity, advancing on her opponent, Tony, like she was fighting in a life-or-death battle.

  Other Foil members paired off for practice, too. Vin parried with Alphonso; and Jennae with a ponytailed guy I didn’t recognize, although he resembled Derrick’s opponent so I guessed they were brothers.

  I heard someone call my name and turned to find Mr. Landreth heading my way. A small boy followed him and I groaned when I recognized Kevin’s pesky grin.

  Once class started, I did my best to ignore the advanced fencing on the far end of the room while I worked on basics with beginners. The best part was when Mr. Landreth and I paired off for a short demonstration. The beginners applauded, clearly impressed, which gave me a boost of confidence.

  Afterwards I worked individually with the students, showing how to hold their saber, bend their knees, and move forward and back. One woman seemed afraid of her saber, so I poked my arm with the rubber tip to show that it didn’t hurt. A girl a few years younger than me kept trying to twirl her saber like a baton until I threatened to take it away. And an older man complained that his glove was too tight. Then there was hyper Kevin who kept piling me with questions and never waiting for my answer. I managed to keep my cool, proud to discover I possessed a lot of patience. And with Kevin, I sorely needed a lot of patience!

  When we had our first ten-minute break, Kevin dumped his sword and helmet by the wall, then trailed after me like an energetic puppy.

  I sat down
at the table where I’d left my bottle of iced tea. I turned my back on Kevin, hoping he’d get the hint. Instead, he circled around and sat next to me.

  “Hiya, Sabine.”

  “Kevin, this is a break so I can rest,” I told him.

  “Can I wear your glove?” he asked. “How come your glove is purple while mine is red? Where did you get that fancy helmet? Did it cost a lot? My helmet isn’t shiny like yours.”

  “You’re getting rented equipment for free, so be happy with what you got.”

  “Can I rent your helmet?”

  “No,” I said firmly.

  “Your cool glove?”

  “No.”

  “Will you be my partner?”

  “Isn’t Marsha your partner?”

  “She tripped and got mad at me.”

  “Why did she get mad at you?”

  “I tied her shoelaces together.”

  I almost said something I’d regret. Instead, I took a sip of iced tea and prayed for patience. He was just a little boy and shouting at him might feel good but it wouldn’t be very mature.

  “Please, please be my partner!” he persisted.

  “Oh, all right. But no more tying shoelaces,” I told him firmly.

  Then before he could ask more questions, I went into the only place I was sure he wouldn’t follow me. The restroom.

  As I pushed in the door, someone on the other side pushed out. I stepped back and the door slid open. And there facing me was the last person I expected to see.

  Brianne looked even more shocked than I felt.

  “What are you doing here?” she gasped.

  “I think that’s obvious,” I said calmly. But I didn’t feel calm inside, and it took a lot of energy to act natural. I’d imagined this scene for six months, going over all the witty and sarcastic things I’d say to her. Only now I couldn’t think of even one. And a traitorous part of me actually felt happy to see my ex-best friend.

  But she was far from happy. “You’re following me!” she accused.

  “Following you?”I was so stunned by this accusation that I could hardly speak. “That’s crazy! I had no idea you were in the bathroom.”

  “You’re lying! I know you’ve been watching me. Every time I look up, you’re staring at me, like you’re trying to read my mind. Stop it!”

  “Brianne, you’re paranoid.”

  “Just leave me alone.”

  Instead of anger, I felt pity. This was not the same confident Brianne I used to know. What had happened to her?

  “Brianne, are you okay?”

  She didn’t reply, instead her gaze swept the room as if looking for escape. I had the weird impression that she was afraid of me. An invisible barrier of volatile energy sizzled between us. For a frozen moment, we stood without saying anything. And in her golden brown aura, I sensed regret. Was she sorry for how she treated me? Did she miss the close friendship we’d had?

  “Is there anything you’d like to tell me?” I persisted.

  “No! I have to get back to Tony,” she said, not meeting my gaze. “He’ll wonder what’s taking so long.”

  “And I wonder what you’re doing with him.”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” She lifted her shoulders defiantly. “He’s my boyfriend.”

  “But the last I heard you weren’t interested in him.”

  “I’m way interested. He’s wild about me and treats me like a princess.”

  I summoned a smile. “Well, that’s cool. I’m happy for you.”

  “Then why are you smiling in that fake way?”

  I stopped smiling, surprised she could still read me so well. “I just never figured Tony for your type. He’s too rough around the edges.”

  “He’s perfect for me and we’re doing great together.”

  “We used to be great together,” I said sadly. “What happened?”

  She glanced down, her hand gripping the door handle white-knuckled, but didn’t answer.

  “You were my friend … my best friend.” My words were a painful whisper. “Just tell me … Why?”

  Her eyes clouded over and she shook her head.

  “And you went ahead and got the tattoo … our faery tattoo.”

  “I didn’t need your permission.” Her tone sharpened and she glared at me. “Back off, Sabine. I mean it—stay out of my life or you’ll be sorry.”

  She reached for the door, but I couldn’t just let her go. A voice in my head was saying “talk to her,” and I felt a desperate urgency. I grabbed for her arm, my fingers digging through her canvas jacket.

  “Let go!” She jerked her arm back, cradling it against her chest as my if touch had burned her. With a furious glare, she jerked open the door with her other arm and slammed out of the room.

  I could hear Opal’s voice in my head telling me to go after her.

  She’s hurting … she needs you, my spirit guide insisted.

  “She hates me,” I thought back.

  Hate is a double-edged emotion.

  “I can’t make her talk to me.”

  You limit your own abilities and do not realize your potential for discovery.

  “I discovered enough already. I give up.”

  There was a sigh and I could tell Opal had given up with me, too.

  Just as well, I told myself. I didn’t need a toxic person like Brianne in my life. I’d been dumb opening up to her, like a burn victim rushing back into a fire. I should have just walked away without saying anything.

  Yet there had been a moment—a brief flicker of the old Brianne and Sabine combo. Had I imagined it? I didn’t think so, yet now that it was over, I wasn’t so sure. And what did it matter anyway?

  Sighing, I went back to the table, sat down, and sipped tea while looking around the room. I saw that Kevin had switched targets and was now hopping all around Mr. Landreth. The break was almost over and Alphonso, Derrick, and Vin were heading back to the floor. Brianne was already there with Tony, smiling up at him like he was her dream guy instead of a chauvinistic jock. She stood on her tip-toes to curl her arms around Tony’s massive shoulders. He leaned down and planted a smooshy one on her, which seemed tacky considering little kids were around. But the lovely-dovey duo didn’t care.

  Yeah, Brianne didn’t care. Not about me anyway—and I’d have to accept it.

  Watching them gave me a bitter taste in my mouth, or maybe my iced tea was too warm. The break ended and Kevin raced over to me.

  “You’re my partner,” he reminded me.

  I groaned, then told him to put his helmet back on and get his saber.

  Nearby I caught Mr. Landreth’s gaze and he gave me a thumbs-up gesture. Then Kevin returned, waving his sword around.

  “Stand on that line,” I told him. “And put your saber down until I say ‘ready.’”

  Surprisingly, he did what I asked.

  Then I stepped back and faced him. “Hold your wrist higher and bend your knees more.”

  He nodded, bending his knees and lifting his wrist.

  “Much better,” I approved.

  “So can I hit you now?” he asked too eagerly.

  “Almost.” I adjusted my helmet so my face was protected, bent my knees, and lifted my saber. “Ready. Fence.”

  Then I moved forward, planning to take the offense and show Kevin how to defend himself. Only Kevin ran forward, forgetting to keep his saber raised so that it was pointing downward.

  “Lift up with your—” I started, only Kevin waved the saber wildly and I felt a jab in my leg.

  “I’m sorry!” Kevin yelped, dropping his saber so it clattered to the floor.

  I started to say that it was okay, he couldn’t really hurt me with a blunted saber tip, but my leg burned with a hot stinging sensation. When I looked down at my gray fencing pants, I saw a jagged slash in the fabric.

  And something red dripped down my leg.

  Blood.

  Kevin started crying and begging me not to be angry.

  “I didn’t mean to,” he sobbe
d.

  “I know you didn’t,” I said, bending over to cover the flow with my ungloved hand. “Go get Mr. Landreth. Hurry!”

  Kevin tossed his saber aside and took off running.

  My leg stung but wasn’t really painful; mostly I felt surprise. Rented swords were always blunted. But when I looked at Kevin’s saber, I saw the blade had been broken and sharpened to a pointed tip.

  A tip now tinged with my blood.

  How could this happen? My former teacher had always checked and double-checked the equipment, making sure it was completely safe. The only injuries I’d gotten while fencing were bruises and pulled muscles.

  “Sabine, what’s wrong?” Mr. Landreth asked, coming over. As his gaze rested on my leg, his eyes widened. “Ohmygod!”

  “I stabbed her,” Kevin cried. “But it was an accident. Honest.”

  “Of course, it was,” I assured, blood dripping between my fingers. “While I clean up, take a look at Kevin’s saber. Okay? Something isn’t right.”

  “That’s for damn sure,” Mr. Landreth said, reaching for Kevin’s saber. He studied the blade, his brows raised, but we couldn’t talk with the students gathering around.

  A few Foils members noticed the commotion, too. When Jennae came over and saw my injury, she gave a shrill cry, then hustled me off to the restroom. She dug through a cabinet until she found some antiseptic and helped me clean and bandage my wound … She was so good at watching out for everyone.

  “Does it hurt?” she asked, closing the box of bandages.

  “Not much.”

  “How come you didn’t notice Kevin had a sharp saber?”

  “It all happened quickly. I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

  “So how come no one checked the equipment? Mr. Landreth is usually so careful.”

  “Kevin was probably messing around and damaged it. And that’s not all that’s damaged.” I glanced ruefully at my favorite pair of fencing pants. To clean my injury, we’d had to rip them so now they were lopsided; one stretchy leg to my ankle and the other ragged below my knee.

  “Didn’t you special order them from Cutlass Creations?” Jennae asked.