Read Online Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) by J.J. Bonds - Free Book Online

the work,”
she points out. “Let’s start simple. Are you enjoying your
classes?”
    “Yes.”
    “Making friends?”
    “Not really.”
    “Why do you think that is?” she prods, full
well knowing the answer.
    “Probably it has something to do with my lack
of interest,” I respond frankly, crossing my arms over my
chest.
    “Katia,” she chides. “It’s going to be a long
year if you decide to go it alone. Aldo did not send you here as
means of punishment. You are here because you have incredible
potential. Reaching out to your peers and becoming involved at
Crossroads is the only way you are going to flourish.”
    I remain silent. I’ve heard all this
before.
    “I heard you were top of the class in
MMA.”
    “You heard right then,” I reply nonchalantly.
The pained look that flashes across her face causes me to
reconsider my approach. I know I’m making this more difficult than
it has to be. She’s just trying to do her job and fulfill a
commitment she made to Aldo. It can’t hurt to give her a little
something, even if it’s just fluff.
    “I had a good teacher in Romania.” I shrug
and lean back in the chair. The soft leather molds to my body like
a lovers embrace and I feel myself relaxing against my better
judgment. “Aldo arranged for a member of the Linkuri to train me in
hand-to-hand combat. Viktor and I spent many hours working on my
Jujutsu technique. I suspect Aldo chose Jujutsu because it’s more
of a defensive martial art. Less attack, more defend.”
    “Jujutsu uses the enemy’s own power and
momentum against him, correct?” she asks, seemingly interested.
    “Yeah. It’s a very effective means of
neutralizing an opponent. Viktor and I also spent some time on
small arms and weaponry. Not as much as I might have liked, but
Crossroads will fill in the gaps. I like being able to handle
myself in any situation.”
    “What is it you want to do when you leave
Crossroads, Katia?” she asks changing the subject abruptly.
    “I don’t know. Return to Romania. Maybe join
the Linkuri,” I respond noncommittally. I haven’t spent a lot of
time thinking about my future lately. Maybe because I’ve got an
eternity to figure it out.
    “You want to be a punisher? One of the
hunters?” she questions, her surprise evident.
    “Why not? I haven’t got much family to speak
of, and we both know that I can’t exactly follow in Aldo’s
footsteps.”
    “I don’t know any such thing,” she returns,
meeting my eyes. “Crossroads will prepare you for whatever future
you choose. You’ve got plenty of time left to figure it out anyway.
Lots of students change their minds over the years. Actually it’s
rare for a student not to change his or her mind.”
    Joining the Linkuri is dangerous work. I’m
sure this is why Anya’s put off by my answer. The Linkuri are a
brotherhood of assassins employed by the Elder’s Council. If you
cross the Council, it’s the Linkuri who will come find you. From
what I’ve heard, death would be a blessing compared to the wrath of
the Linkuri. They instill fear in even the strongest vampires.
    Honestly, I have no idea what I want to do.
Maybe I’d enjoy the Linkuri. I think I’d be good at it. But who
knows? It seems as good a way as any to repay my debt to Aldo, and
I’m not afraid of the danger. I have nothing to lose and therefore
nothing to fear.
    Before I can respond, there’s a knock at the
door, and we’re interrupted. Anya checks her watch and jumps up
from the desk. I don’t imagine she’s expecting anyone else for our
session, and I’m curious to see who has come knocking so late.
    Anya cracks the door doing her best to
protect my privacy, but her guest towers over her, and I can easily
see it’s Nikolai in the hall. They whisper briefly about dinner and
she sends him away. Curious. What’s he doing here? Maybe I’m not
the only one with a special schedule. Then again, the apparent
familiarity between them is not typical of a