Read Online James (Teumessian Trilogy Book 2) by Ana Elise Meyer - Free Book Online Page A

know how to respond.
    John quickly moved, grabbing Elliot by his neck and flipping him, throwing him onto the mat. Elliot landed with a hard thud. The other candidates were in shock. John had always supervised other instructors, they had never seen him go toe to toe with anyone. “I am half his size and I just kicked his ass and I can do it again if he wants to be a smart ass,” John said, pointing to Elliot as he struggled to get up. The candidates just stood in attention. “Woman or man, if someone is attacking you, you do not hold back. You fight to end your opponent, not disarm them. You protect your life and those you are assigned to protect at all costs. Is that clear?” John ordered.
    They all nodded.
    “I am sick of looking at all of you. Outside to the course. You will all run it six times as punishment for James’s weakness and Elliot’s stupidity.” John pointed to the door.
    After the display he had just given, none were willing to question him. They all quickly ran from the room to the course outside. John took a deep breath. He hated being so hard on them, but he knew it had to be done. He watched through the window as they lined up and navigated their way through the course. It was the only way to make sure they could defend themselves. John held his breath. The problem was he didn’t even know what he was preparing them for.
     
     

 
     

     
     
    Chapter
    16

 
    James and the rest of the candidates had almost hit their breaking points by the fifth month of training. They had improved, all of them, but they were exhausted. The extreme physical exertion resulted in several candidates having to be taken to the hospital due to exhaustion.
    “I don’t know how much more I can take,” Tim said as he climbed up onto his bed. He could barely make the climb.
    “Me, too. I think every muscle in my body is torn,” Greg added, stretching his back while holding onto the bed frame.
    “Seriously, John actually cut me today in knife practice,” Tim said, checking his left arm. He had a small slash on his left forearm.
    James just laid back on his bed. Elliot was already asleep.
    “Elliot is already asleep? We just got back.” Tim looked over and saw Elliot asleep on his top bunk.
    “Either that or he is passed out,” James added in.
    “Well, he is breathing, so that’s positive.” Tim laughed. “Ow, laughing hurts.”
    “Well, I am starting to really think we are not going to be doing interpreting work. We barely spend any time in the classroom anymore. I don’t know what they are planning for us, but apparently, people will be trying to kill us.” Greg took a seat on his bed and looked straight to James.
    James caught his stare and looked away, “They are just preparing us for what could come our way. We'll get our assignments soon, or at least that is what Ray said.”
    “When did he say that?” Tim questioned.
    James paused. He realized the rest of the group hadn't known that. Ray had told him that in one of their private meetings. They had been meeting about once a month since James confided in Ray about his mother. The meetings were almost pointless, James felt, since Ray had found nothing new.
    “What are you hiding?” Greg asked.
    “Ray told me in private that we would be getting assigned soon. I don’t know to what. He wouldn’t tell me that.”
    “Why would he tell you that and not the rest of us?” Greg leaned forward on his bed.
    James shrugged his shoulders, “No idea. He is secretive like that.”
    Tim laughed again, “Ow, need to quit doing that. He is mysterious. Maybe he has a crush on you. You may have better luck with him than you have with Chessy.”
    Greg was stone silent.
    James laughed along, but he knew Greg wasn’t convinced.
    “It is what it is. I’m exhausted. I am going to sleep,” James said, rolling over and closing his eyes.
    Greg knew it was pointless to push the issue, so he did the same.
    “Good night, John Boy,” Tim let out as he closed his