The Ultimate Sacrifice, Talia Jager [novels to read .TXT] 📗

the entire student body about the new classes and training that would be given at the school. He made no mention of Kassia or what had happened. “Many of you have lived sheltered lives, especially those of you who have been here for years. I know you all have learned about demons in class. We believe they are growing in numbers and will be released sometime in the not-too-distant future.”

Murmurs flew through the audience.

“I know it sounds difficult to believe, but these warnings come from trusted sources. All of you possess some sort of gift, but just knowing what that gift is doesn’t teach you how to use it against demons. Some gifts can’t be used against someone or something. All of you need to start physical and weapons training. Once you demonstrate you can handle yourself physically and emotionally, you will be able to carry your weapon on your body.”

The whispering died down a little. Mr. Eaton continued on, “Today, we begin this training. Your days will be longer. You will start with the normal classes, go to your gifted classes, and then have physical and weapons training. On weekends, you will focus on the weapons and physical training only. We hope to have you in shape within a month.”

The audience was stunned into silence. “I expect each of you to put 100 percent into this. We have to unite, be one, and conquer these demons!”

I wondered if anyone here besides the five of us had ever even seen a demon, let alone fought one. I shuddered, remembering the ones that looked like cats but acted like dogs and the little ones that had dug their teeth into Kassia’s back. I did not relish the idea of coming face to face with one again.

Our training started off with running, sit-ups, and push-ups. Then we started learning more advanced martial arts techniques. After an hour of that, we were divided into small groups. Our group got to learn about knives and daggers. The teacher showed us the proper way to hold and sharpen one. We didn’t get to do anything with them—safety and maintenance first. Wonder how surprised he’d be if I took out my dagger and started playing with it. The one strapped to my leg was much nicer than the ones we were training with.

After weapons, we had more physical training to do. This time it was cardio boxing and lifting weights. By six o’clock, I was exhausted. Four hours of training was tough, but I knew firsthand that I needed this training. At dinnertime, I was starving and practically inhaled my food.

I crashed on my own bed that night and slept for nine hours. Banging woke me up. “Everybody up early. Class starts earlier from now on!” It sounded like Ms. Meadows was letting everybody know what was going on.

My body protested as I got out of bed. Slowly and painfully, I made my way to the door, answered it, and thanked her. Glancing out the window, I saw the sky beginning to change from dark to light. Swearing under my breath, I downed some ibuprofen and made my way to the shower. This was way too early to be awake.

The days started to blur together. Breakfast, class, lunch, class, training, dinner, bed. Instead of relaxing and hanging out when the weekend arrived, we were met with a dawn wake-up call and all-day training.

Other than being exhausted and covered with bruises, I didn’t mind the physical demands; it helped me get my anger out.

On Sunday afternoon, they started teaching us how to throw the knives. “More thrust behind your throw,” the teacher told me. I nodded and visualized the demon that took Kassia. I aimed and threw the knife as though I could actually save her. It stuck straight in the middle of my target. “Great work! Do it again.” I went and got the knife and hit the target right on again. “Excellent. Keep going… Now do it ten times!” he challenged.

All the training kept my mind occupied. I wasn’t able to think of losing Kassia as often. It still hit me every time I went back to our room. I still broke down every night. But the days kept me busy. After knives, we learned how to use a bow and arrow. Martial arts moves got easier as I learned them and the physical training got more demanding.

Every two weeks, we’d get a day of rest. Those days I slept in longer, ate slower, and thought of Kassia more. Those days were harder; sometimes I wished they wouldn’t bother with them. But it also gave us time to hang out with each other. At night, they’d have a movie playing, and I’d lie in Zane’s lap watching. He’d stroke my hair or rub my back but never getting too intimate. I wasn’t ready for that.

It was amazing how easy it was to forget that Kassia wasn’t with us. I’d turn to say something to her, only to realize that she wasn’t there. Then the sadness and anger would hit all over again, and I’d break down in tears without warning.

“Why are you crying?” Noe asked, sitting next to me at lunch.

Holding my head in my hands, I softly responded, “I just realized I can’t hear her laugh anymore.”

“Oh…honey…” She wrapped her arms around me and rocked me side to side.

The next week, our training included team exercises. We broke into smaller groups and the teachers showed us how to work together and protect each other. First, we learned using martial arts. Then we learned using weapons. Every day, we’d get a demonstration from the teachers and coaches. Their moves were quite impressive. I hoped I’d be that good someday. Maybe if I had been that good, Kassia wouldn’t be gone. At the very least, if I had known how to fight like I did now, I could have saved myself from those two men that night, and Kassia wouldn’t have had to rescue me. So many what-ifs.

One night when I couldn’t sleep, I got out of bed, and sat on the window seat she used to sit in all the time. Across the courtyard was the boys’ dorm. I saw Daxton staring out the window of his room. He noticed me, but he didn’t wave or anything. We just sat in the windows of our rooms, missing the person we loved most.