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grumble, as we emerge into a courtyard.
    â€œThe dojo.”
    â€œWhat for? Ouch!” I add as he jerks me to the left, steering me around a corner.
    â€œWell, seeing as all you care about is this war, the fact that you’re about as much use to us as Sofia is something of a problem.” He uses Sofia as an example out of pure malice, trying to rile me. “I’m joining your training today,” he continues pleasantly, as the gymnasium comes into view. “Let’s see if we can’t make you ever so slightly less pathetic.”
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    chapter 8
    â€œThat’s enough,” Kwan warns, as I hit the ground for the third time, this time with such force I almost black out. “You’re going to hurt her, Reed.”
    â€œAw, I don’t know about that. Can someone with no feelings get hurt?”
    I have never seen Reed like this before, so brutally harsh, but I refuse to react.
    â€œI said enough ,” Kwan repeats.
    â€œYeah, you’re right,” Reed brushes his hair out of his eyes. “It is enough. I’m joining the next raid, I’d better get going.” Without so much as offering me a hand to help me up, he walks out.
    Kwan kneels beside me, and I pull myself into a sitting position.
    â€œWhat did you do?” he asks seriously.
    â€œNothing!” I wince as pain shoots across my lower back. “He’s just being melodramatic.”
    â€œI don’t believe that for a second. He’s not that way inclined. Unlike you, he rarely shows his emotions.”
    â€œYou want me to feel sorry for him? My baby died – I think I’ve earned a little self-indulgence.”
    â€œYou seem to have forgotten that the child you lost belonged to him too.”
    â€œI didn’t lose her! She was murdered!” Kwan looks startled at my assumption that the child was a girl, but I pay no heed.
    â€œHe lost her too,” he continues calmly, ignoring my outburst. “And, worse still, he lost you.”
    I get to my feet, collecting the Bo staff from its usual position next to the weapons shelves.
    â€œDo you think you’re ready for that?” Kwan asks, dropping the subject. Up until now, I have been practising with the Hanbo only.
    â€œThere’s only one way to find out.”
    I stand with my legs slightly apart, holding the Bo in both hands. Kwan is watching intently, and I close my eyes, wishing I was alone. Slowly, infinitely slowly, I start to twirl the Bo, the natural rhythm feeling comfortable and familiar. I focus only on the Bo, forgetting about everything else. Kenneth Williams’ face is the hardest to force from my mind, but I grit my teeth and keep trying. I know I am allowing him to poison my life, even with so many miles between us. He is still controlling me, destroying me.
    â€œNo,” I hiss, “get out of my head!” Finally, he is gone and I feel a surge of relief. I have barely a second to appreciate it when Kwan gives a whoop of delight. I open my eyes and the Bo clatters to the floor, but not before I register that the long staff was whirling above me faster than my eyes could track.
    â€œYou did it!” Kwan picks up the Bo.
    â€œI did it,” I breathe, conflicting emotions coursing through me.
    Three days later, I only just make it to the meeting room in time, having left the dojo later than I anticipated. I am frustrated. My abilities are erratic – some days I am operating on full strength and others there is nothing but ordinary human capabilities.
    â€œKenneth has declared himself,” the General’s voice oozes disdain and disappointment. “Joseph Hale has stepped down and Kenneth has officially been sworn in as President of the New United States.”
    â€œI wonder what changed his mind,” my father muses.
    â€œWell, obviously there’s no point in hiding any more,” I bite out, “now that we know of his involvement. He was only ever trying