Read Online Orion by Cyndi Goodgame - Free Book Online Page B

missed that same wicked smile Dyer would give me when he had cajoled me to chunk the book one day and go running through the woods and every day after that for a week.  Dyer had taught me so much about being with the opposite sex, which was so opposite of anything I thought so that meant not much ...but men and women think way different anyway.  In fact, it seemed as if a girl is thinking one thing, he is thinking the opposite. Dyer left abruptly that last day in the garden.  I never knew why.  Only that I was left standing alone staring at the trees. Perhaps my parents sheltered me more than I realize and sent him away.
    Not wanting to seem too eager, I pulled my arm back without rubbing it and asked, “So what shall I beat you at today?”
    “Beat me?  I recall you were down by my hand in swordplay yesterday.  I am truly a better swordsman.  You, my lady, are too quick to misjudge your enemy when they are too close or overpowering.”
    I didn ’t like talk of being beat.  I could take him.  My face didn’t give an inch, but my voice spoke volumes.  “Yeah, challenge me to another then.”  I knew I wouldn’t be able to give my SuperVAL moves a full workout with him, but I could come close. More than any other female supernatural being.  I’m sure. I’ve been told by many that I surpass even the other Valkyrie women in my court and many outside of it. I just haven’t tested it.
    And I couldn’t seem to get the full brute of Calum Breen no matter how much I knew I had.  He was just that much stronger.  With big men brute force, I have to result to using stealth and unsuspecting “weak-link appearance” wisdom.
    He watched my face and laughed aloud, delicious and rich with humor.   I was more intrigued than offended.
    “What?” I asked.
    “You truly want to fight again?”
    “Yes, are you afraid?”  He wouldn ’t be.  He thought I was a Hunter girl.  I held back yesterday and I know he did too. 
    “Fine, but I get another chance against you at the archery range.”
    “Why?” I arched my head.  He seemed to have an ulterior motive, but what it was, I didn’t know.
    “Because I can ’t beat you at the knives.  You have me there,” he said vaguely.                He was admitting weakness to the enemy.   Mistake number Uno, Sporto!  I like this.  I really like this.  “Deal!”  My eyes glazed over in the distant too engrossed at the idea of sparring him again.
    Calum stood there a little longer staring at my face no doubt wondering seriously about me.  I was staring right back, my voice now dormant.  I broke the stillness by taking my po nytail from my wrist and pulled my hair up behind my head.  Sometimes I felt like my hair was a little too long, but I loved the way it felt on my neck when it would sweep down after blow drying it or finishing a run around the lake.  I’d have to get a run in sometime.
    “So, are you my personal guide every day for weapons class?”  I eyed him from the side while watching Maze shoot her arrow and arranging my shoe strings that had come undone.
    "For now.  Until you, I was the best archer and aim in the school.  I doubt you’ll need me much.”  He appeared to be bothered by the idea.
    “What about chemistry?  I don ’t think I’ll ever understand it like you do.  You might have to stay with me a bit on that.  If you want to, of course.  Not that I care.”  I reached for a chest guard now and watched his face.  I knew I shouldn’t be encouraging this, but this is a great lead.  And he is Dr. Green’s son.  That should count for surveillance work alone.  My brother depended on it.  If ogling Dr. Green’s son and gaining his confidence led me to free him, I’d stick with it.  It’s just not a battle plan I’ve tried.
    “As you wish.” He gave a bit of a shocked look with his response, but he had a sudden burst of fear shoot through him.  I didn ’t understand it.  It wasn't battle fear.  I