"If you want your throat torn out and your blood sucked dry, keep thrashing like a dead fish."


    Jericho''s lovely training flavor assaults my ears in a way that''s way too comforting, considering the vitriol that comes out of his mouth.


    "I like fish," I pant, giving up for a second. Lucas was right. Jericho''s been drilling me on falls again.


    This time, my arms and legs are tied.


    Because, apparently, "I need practice."


    Pretty sure Jericho''s an old sadist, but at least he chose bodyguards who don''t snicker and smirk the entire time they see their charge getting battered and bruised. Or, in this particular case, flopping like a fish.


    Gritting my teeth, I thrash against the ropes digging into my wrists and ankles, chafing my skin raw. They''ll be healed by tonight, but for now, it hurts like hell.


    "Bend your knees!" Jericho barks. "Roll onto your side and use the momentum to sit up. Then bring your feet under you."


    Easy for him to say. He''s not the one trussed up like a turkey. After far too long on my back, half-convinced my true identity is a turtle, I manage to flop onto my side, panting. Blades of grass tickle my cheek. From this vantage point, I can see Selene sprawled in front of a portable fan, tail wagging lazily. Traitor.


    It isn''t even that hot outside. Everyone''s just worried about her because she''s a husky, like they aren''t wolves themselves who understand that she''s just fine in this mild weather. All because she pants a lot.


    She''s milking it—but no one will believe me.


    With a grunt, I rock back and forth until I gain enough momentum to heave myself into a sitting position. "Well, at least you haven''t tied me to a chair," I mutter under my breath.


    Jericho''s keen ears pick up on it anyway. "That''s next week''s lesson." The sadistic glee in his voice makes me shudder.


    I groan, picturing the bruises those sessions will paint across my body.


    You really need to stop giving him ideas, Selene remarks dryly in my mind.


    I shoot her a glare but keep my mouth shut this time. Bending my knees, I wriggle and strain, trying to get my feet underneath me so I can stand. My muscles scream in protest, sweat dripping into my eyes and running down my back.


    I''d thought I was getting more athletic and in shape, but right now I feel like a tied-up sausage roll.


    "Sometime today, Grey," he prompts, making a ''get on with it'' gesture.


    Gritting my teeth, I awkwardly jump forward, trying not to picture what I must look like. Some deranged cross between a bunny and a worm, probably. Each hop jars my bones and makes the ropes cut deeper into my skin.


    There''s a point where I almost fall over, and I''m positive sheer force of will and a lucky breeze keeps me upright.


    This is a lot harder than it looks, and sweat soaks my hairline as I struggle to keep my entire body balanced. It''s amazing how much your arms do for balance. Now that I''m little more than a human worm, I regret not appreciating my arms a little more.


    Or I''m a little dramatic, as I tend to be under Jericho''s not-so-gentle coaching.


    "We don''t have all day, princess!"


    You''re doing great, Ava, Selene encourages. Just a little further.


    I don''t waste breath responding, too focused on not breaking an ankle in a gopher hole. The tree looms closer, its trunk promising blessed support if I can just reach it. Ten more hops. Five. Shit, almost fell over.


    Nope, I''m okay.


    Four.


    Three.


    Two.


    Teeter. My entire torso windmills until I catch myself, and I slow down my breathing.


    One.


    With a final, wheezing grunt, I all but collapse my face against the rough bark, using it to hold myself upright as I gasp for air. I made it.


    "Adequate," Jericho allows. "Now let''s see you get out of those ropes."


    I rest my head against the tree with a groan. Still, this is nothing compared to whatever Lisa''s dealing with. And if it helps me get any stronger, every moment of this torture will be worth it.