Read Online Steel Victory (Steel Empire Book 1) by J.L. Gribble - Free Book Online Page B

had been their primary weapons teacher after Toria and Kane bonded, she had allowed Max to lure the coveted pair into a Mercenary Guild apprenticeship while they were in high school. The beginnings of their journeyman phase had been completed the summer after high school graduation when they accompanied Asaron through the edges of the British Colonies and into the Wasteland. Now their official Guild training was on hold while they attended Jarimis University, but Toria knew after those four years, they’d be sent out on their own. Kane kept pushing for going south to the Roman Colonies, but Toria had her mind set on Old Europa and visiting Victory’s stomping grounds. The debate still continued.
    Toria turned half an ear to the spontaneous hand-to-hand combat lesson Max was giving Kane on the other half of the training room floor. If Toria was out of shape, Kane was even more so. He would always be able to run rings around her with his formal magic skills, but she had years more combat training.
    If Fosca could knock her around that much, then Kane was sure to need some serious work. They would have to buckle down this summer.
    Toria heard the mini-lesson end while she attempted to plan a summer training routine Kane wouldn’t hate. She included a little magic-focused time to appease him, though the real reason was so she could continue work on her new sword. He could help recast all the offensive and defensive spells that had decorated the old one.
    “Having fun?”
    She opened her eyes to find the partner in question standing over her, a wide grin on his upside-down face. “Always.”
    “I wish I was as bendy as you are. How do you even do that?”
    “Very, very carefully.” With measured precision, she raised her legs from where her feet touched the mat above her head until they pointed straight at the ceiling. Rolling back on her shoulders, she used her momentum to push off the ground and land on her feet. “I think I’m part cat.”
    “That would explain your love of naps, but not your fear of mice,” Kane said. They set off across the mats, giving a wide berth to two men sparring with long staffs.
    Toria stepped on her left foot with care and rubbed at the bruise forming on her right shoulder. “Damn, she really got through my guard a few times.”
    “What the hell happened?”
    “I think Fosca was spoiling for a fight,” Toria said. “Either that, or Max wanted to teach me the evils of falling out of shape.” That still didn’t justify Fosca accusing her of being a spoiled child.
    Kane wrapped an arm around her shoulders, letting go when she winced. “Poor girl. By the way, Max wants to see us.”
    “He beat us to the punch,” Toria said. “I was all set to march to his office after we got cleaned up.”
    “I think we still have time to shower.” Kane wrinkled his nose at their sweaty clothing. “And I’m sure hot water would do you good.”
    “Yeah, wouldn’t do to meet the head of the Guild looking like this.” She traded a mournful look with Kane outside the women’s locker room before heading inside.

    Toria beat Kane to the lounge by scant seconds. She still made a show of relaxing on one of the deep couches, reveling in her uncommon punctuality. She received a gentle bat on the back of her head for her efforts.
    “C’mon, Max is probably waiting,” Kane said.
    Toria followed him out of the front lounge of the Hall and up a secluded flight of stairs to the administrative section of the building. They emerged in a hallway right next to Max’s office, startling the retired merc who acted as his aide-de-camp by their sudden appearance.
    Shaking her head at them, the aide waved them toward the door. “He’s there, go ahead and knock.”
    “Thanks, Liliah.” Toria rapped her knuckles against the wood, Kane lurking behind her.
    After a muffled welcome, the pair pushed the door open to be confronted by a large empty desk in the center of the room.
    “Over here.” Max had also