FIFTY-SIX | CHOICES

"I hate you." I huff at my shadow's back the next morning. The sun's not even up yet, and we left the house at four - a little over an hour ago - to 'train'. So far, however, the asshole's made me run around the forest in the dark without a flashlight or a drop of coffee. *He's trying to kill me, I'm sure of it.*

"C'mon, princess, this is nothing," Mikyle turns to face me, jogging backwards like the show off he is. I growl numerous curses under my breath and push my already aching legs to move faster. Soon we're side by side, but I take it a step further, a streak of competitiveness flaring to life in me. I race ahead, my heart beating even harder than before.

And it's suddenly like I'm my old self, hunting. Exhilaration courses through me and warmth flares to the surface of my skin. I let out a whoop of joy and keep up the speed for a few more minutes - until I trip over a root and go flying into a bush.

"I guess I can't say *when puppies fly* anymore." Mikyle smirks down at me, hands on his hips as I lay there. I growl at him, even more annoyed now that the coldness has come back and my muscles feel achy again.

"I hate you." I bite out slowly, wiggling out of the uncomfortable thing beneath me. Now that it's gotten colder and closer to winter, the bush is more twigs and dead leaves than greenery, so I'm more than a little peeved about the poky branches.

"I know." Mikyle replies, still with that stupid smirk on his face. I finally work my body free of the now completely pulverized plant and face him.

"When are you going to show me how to fight? I already know how to run." I question, wondering, not for the first time, if he's been having me run around just for kicks.

"I know you can run. But you're still a clutz-" He easily dodges the punch I aimed for his face and catches my fist, twisting my entire body with the residual momentum. I'm suddenly wrapped tightly in his arms, my back to his front, his mouth on my left ear as he continues. "And mistakes will get you killed." I can't stop the shiver that runs down my spine as his voice lowers slightly and becomes serious. My heart's now beating wildly for an entirely different reason, nervousness twisting at my stomach.

"I can't help what I am," I rasp, finally finding my voice as the heat of his breath warms my skin.

"I'm glad to hear you finally admit that." Mikyle sounds surprised for once. I turn my face to glare at him - only realizing my mistake after we're nose-to-nose. His dark red eyes are glowing slightly, much brighter and warmer than usual as they flick from my eyes to my mouth. I'm having a hard time breathing, tasting the heat from his breath on my tongue. I have the urge to lean in the rest of the way and press my mouth to his-

"You going to let go of me now?" I ask softly, my words barely a whisper with him so close, but I don't dare move. Not towards him. Not away, either. It's all I can do as waves of desire and conflicted apprehension threaten to engulf me.

"Only if you tell me to." He breathes back, his eyes locking back on mine firmly, resolutely. He's leaving it up to me. Again. I swallow, trying to get rid of the tightness in my throat as my entire body tenses. But as I stare back into those red eyes of his, I can't help but feel longing to be staring into the eyes of another. I want to be this close, held like this, by another. Staring into mono-chromatic eyes that stun me and capture my very soul.

"Let me go." I hear myself say, watching as Mikyle's eyes dull back to their usual darker hue and he steps away. I don't miss the hurt that crosses his face or the way his whole body stiffens once there's a foot between us. "Mica-" I begin, after a moment, but he turns to face me again.

"It's all good, princess." His cheerful reply and nonchalant expression twist at my confused heart. "Now, c'mon," He gestures to the path leading towards the Azure's territory. "We should try to cross through before breakfast. Hale said your induction's right before."

"Right.'' I reply, my emotions still roiling within as we continue running. This time, neither of us says a word all the way to the edges of the Azure's land. Once we reach the areas where there are more hoses, we slow to a walk. By now, the sun's rising over the surrounding trees and the soft chatter of life has begun. Azures are milling around, going about their usual morning routines as we pass, pretty much ignoring us.

"Don't be nervous." Mikyle tells me after a while and wraps his arm over my shoulder, surprising me with a half-hug. "The ritual for being inducted into the Coven's nothing like the ceremony for Wolven." I feel my body relax and I smile at my shadow, not sure how he knew I was worried deep down about it, but glad all the same that he brought it up.