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Even frout reactions--fear, hate, panic I fisted s with the sor Enjoyment

Okay, so that last one went a little too far

Even though I was distracted, I felt the presence behind me instantly I smiled--it was the effect of Carden’s blood I sensed norance Innocence All the while I watched his shadow approach I could tell by the width of it, by the gait, that my attacker was Rob

When he leapt for me, I was ready I braced rabbed hihtly "What’s up?"

He flexed, ignoring what hto reach ht air "I’ve been waiting for this"

"Funny," I said, gritting ood to accidentally chokemy hands into his arm and doubled over at the waist

The flip was a siinner stuff, but so, so perfect I flipped hi hiht coh two points: ht forear his throat "Cool," I said "I alondered if this martial arts stuff worked for real"

He darted his head side to side, trying to get air

"Whoops" I gave hi you?"

He was unable to speak, but his eyes narrowed to slits, glaring hard In a quick burst of action, he kicked his feet, trying to wriggle out fro for a grip on his collar "Were you trying to bite roin, and he froze I tsked "You were trying to bite ain You won’t even pretend to negotiate That’s the problem with you boys You lack subtlety"

It was ti to be reasonable with me, then I wouldn’t be reasonable with hi him?--which, honestly, was also under active consideration I’d already huiant hole in his pants

I’d broken out in a sweat,where they fisted his jacket collar, but still, he was unable to break free I was stronger than before It was tiht he could bite me, but I kneould stop him He could patch a tear in his pants It was tie he wouldn’t be able to hide

I shifted, and he shifted within s sparkled Taunting ht he was so badass Time to show hile, swift ht arainst his jaw "Bite this"

Pain exploded upwasn’t like in the ood at co pain, and I tucked it away, a distant thru to deal with later I was savoring this moment tooa splash of li down the side of his cheek He turned his face and spat A sray in the darkness

Both our eyes widened, realizing at the sa

He let loose some primal, nonsensical yell, and I pulled back as he popped to his feet Holding an arm in front of his mouth, he stared atfor breath He looked confused, unable to make sense of what’d just happened At that moment, I couldn’t either

What became of a Trainee bested like this? What was a vas?

He stepped backward, faded into the night Disappeared

Carden was right I was stronger Even stronger than I’d realized I was supersized

By the time I went inside, dumped my stuff in the locker roorand mood I felt expansive, filled with a sense of anticipation What would happen next? Would I tell anyone about it? Would people just find out? I’d need to ask Carden if he’d ever seen anything like this