Read Online Legend of Mace by Daniel J. Williams - Free Book Online

level. She was twenty minutes into a good session.
    “Impressive,” Roger said from behind her. Leaning against the adobe wall, he was enjoying the shade. Jade swung around, surprised. “How long you been here?” she asked.
    “A few minutes. I didn’t want to disturb your concentration. You got some nice moves.”
    Jade looked at him suspiciously. She knew he must be one of the newcomers. “And who are you?”
    “Name’s Roger.”
    She recalled the name from Mace.  “Jade,” she answered, keeping her figurative guard up. “Do you make it a habit to spy on women?”
    “I only spy on the pretty ones,” he said lightheartedly, taken by her looks. He instantly regretted the response, realizing he might lose his head if not careful. “I didn’t mean to spy, really. I was just looking for some shade and admired your moves. You’ve obviously got some boxing experience. I’m guessing some Kenpo and Jujitsu as well.”
    “Impressive,” Jade replied, as she wiped sweat off her brow with the back of her glove. She looked him over. “You fight?”
    “Used to. Used to teach as well. Taekwondo.”
    Jade grew more interested. “I always loved the style. The kicks are amazing.”
    “You’ve got some nice footwork as well.” Roger smiled uneasily. “Where’d you learn?”
    “Aberdeen. Little Dojo outside town.”
    “No kidding? I grew up in Bismark.” Roger said, a bit excited at the connection.
    The location perked her up. “My mom had relatives there. I got a chance to go once when I was a teenager.”
    “Really?” After a few seconds he asked, “Were you adopted?” He felt uncomfortable immediately for asking. He didn’t want to say something he’d regret. “Sorry,” he said. “I don’t mean to pry.”
    “That’s okay,” Jade answered, intrigued. “How’d you guess?”
    “You said your mom had relatives there. I thought you would’ve said I or we. Plus, their aren't that many exotic families in North Dakota.”
    “Pretty sharp, Roger,” Jade said, genuinely impressed. “I’m surprised you’ve been allowed to just walk around freely. What gives?”
    Knowing he should answer carefully, Roger said, “Well, we’ve been given a chance to prove ourselves.”
    Jade raised her eyebrows. “That doesn’t happen often. I would have thought the commotion this morning would have changed that.”
    “We were just traveling together. We had no idea they were going to run,” Roger answered quickly. “Mace asked us to stay and I agreed.”
    Jade scrutinized him carefully. She knew most of the story but wanted to hear what he had to say. “Mace doesn’t ask anyone to stay. What makes you so special?”
    Roger took a small step backwards as he grew more uncomfortable. “I really don’t know. I guess he just thought we might fit in.” Needing to be careful what he said, he also wanted to get a feel for how much danger they were in. He took a chance and asked quietly, “What’s it like here?”
    “We stay safe,” Jade answered as she tried to read behind his eyes. “What do you really want to know, Roger?”
    He didn’t expect her to be that direct. Taking a deep breath, he said, “I want to know if we’re going to die here.”
    A small group of boys suddenly entered the training area and spotted him. They headed straight in his direction. Roger saw Bowie in front and said quickly to Jade, “I just get the feeling we may not last that long.” Turning towards the boys, he waited until they were within a few feet.
    “I don’t want any trouble, Bowie,” Roger said passively as he lifted his hands up.
    Bowie smirked back and was about to taunt when Jade spoke up quietly from behind Roger. “Bowie, he’s a guest. Let’s give him a chance.”
    At the sound of her voice, Bowie’s look changed. He eyed Roger for a second then moved past. The boys all followed. “Sure thing, Jade.” They went straight to the weight section and didn’t look back.
    “Who are you here?” Roger asked