The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0464

I scowl, stumbling into the tiny private gym. "I'm not weaker than a kitten," I mutter, putting my hands on my hips. "I can...do stuff."

"As eloquent as you are sturdy," Faiza says, raising a cheerful eyebrow at me. "Hey, I -"

"Look, kid," the woman says, taking a step towards me, her voice becoming softer, friendlier as she goes. "Neumann believes in you, and according to the records that the Captain showed me, you're one hell of a shot with a bow and a gun. I am here because I want to be - because I'm interested in this assignment. And trust me with what I'm charging to be here? The Academy wouldn't be footing the bill if they didn't think you were worth it. So. Go ahead and drop the whole defensive attitude."

My shoulders slump a little as I stare at this woman, having no idea how to feel. Because...I mean, did she just compliment me? After telling me how weak she thinks I am the whole way here?

I genuinely have no idea what's going on. Faiza just grins, letting me know that she knows it.

Then, she lifts her chin towards the man still sitting patiently on the floor, his eyes closed. "Say hello to your fighting instructor," she says.

"But, I thought -"

"My specialty is in other things," she interrupts, giving me a wink. "Hey, Blaze!" she says, pitching her voice louder. "Wake the hell up. Cadet's here."

Blaze cracks one eye, peering at her. "In all our years together, Faiza," he murmurs, his voice both warm and crinkly with age, "you have yet to learn the gracious art of patience."

"Yet another year I've skipped that curse," Faiza says, smiling at him fondly. He laughs a little, unable to help it, as he swiftly unfolds to his feet and turns towards me, giving me a little bow.

"Cadet Clark," the man murmurs. "I'm looking forward to working with you."

"Thank you," I say, the manners that have been drilled into me since I was a child immediately surfacing when I meet someone new, especially a professor. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well. I'm...looking forward to working with you, Professor -" He holds up a hand, shaking his head. "Not professor. Just Blaze."

I hesitate and then nod. "Then, I'm looking forward to working with you, Blaze." I hold out a hand to shake and he folds it softly in both of his own, smiling at me and then at Faiza.

"I'm looking forward to working with this one," he says, laughing a little. "It is polite."

"Yeah, well," Faiza says, crossing her arms and looking me up and down. "We can beat that out of her."

Blaze laughs a little and then drops my hand. "So!" he says, looking me up and down as he tucks his hands neatly behind his back. "You are small. Can you fight?"

"Not well," I say, observing him in turn, taking in the slight, almost bird-like set of his limbs, the way he is a bit stooped with age even though he moves very fast, just like Faiza does. "Um, my brother and my cousin have taught me what they know but...I don't have formal training in any fighting arts."

"Shame," Blaze says, slowly starting to move around me. "And are you fit?"

"Um," I repeat, giving a little shrug. "Not compared to the rest of them. But I run every morning? I think...I'm fast for my size?"

"You should be fast for all sizes," Blaze murmurs, completing his circuit and again looking me in the face.

I'm reminded, suddenly, of Jackson saying something very similar this morning, and I work hard to fight my smile at the memory of it. Blaze's eyes crinkle when he sees me smile, and I somehow get the impression that he knows precisely what I'm thinking of. Blaze gives me a steady nod. "You will continue to run in the morning with your Alphas," he says, looking pleased. "But at night - after your lessons - you will come here and train with me."

"E-every night?" I gasp, kind of appalled at the idea. "Sir, I have work to do I have to study -"

He gives a little shrug. "This is study too. Important study."