Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) by J.J. Bonds Page A

that my
heart will be in it.
    “Enough of this!” Aldo admonishes, bringing
me back to the present. “You made a promise to me. You will honor
your word.”
    Again, not a question, but an order. And why
shouldn’t Aldo determine my fate? If not for his grace, I wouldn’t
exist. His harsh words are the kick in the butt I need. I’ve lost
my focus. I have to push aside the distractions and be strong. If
not for myself, for Aldo. For the others.
    “I never said this would be easy,” he reminds
me quietly. “Crossroads will make you stronger. In time you will
begin to see yourself as I do. You are a survivor Katia. You will
go on to do great things. I know this.”
    “If you believe, then it must be so,” I
return smiling. He knows I don’t believe it, but why not humor him?
My next words are far more solemn. “I will buckle down. I know what
I need to do.”
    “Good. Now tell me about your classes.”

Chapter Six
    The
weeks begin to pass more quickly, as I fall into a routine. Class,
train, study, sleep. Repeat. I’m in a funk and can’t seem to shake
it. While I’m excelling in my classes, the sessions with Anya are
becoming increasingly frustrating for both of us. It’s clear she’s
not happy with my progress. Our conversations are superficial at
best, and I still can’t seem to let my guard down with her or
anyone else here. I haven’t spoken with Aldo in a couple of weeks.
I know he’s busy with his obligations to the Council and don’t want
to bother him. It makes for a lonely existence.
    The only bright spot in my schedule is my MMA
class. I do my best to ignore Nikolai, and it seems to be working
so far. We’ve been learning Taekwondo moves, and Garcia has
promised that this week we’ll get back to sparring. It’s only the
promise of physical combat that has me smiling today. I welcome the
opportunity to expel some energy and am bored with practicing the
maneuvers. I want to hit something already.
    “Cha-ryeot!” Garcia barks, calling for
attention. Over the last few weeks, I’ve come to realize that
Garcia will never do anything halfway. He insists that we learn not
only the moves but also the correct Korean commands and decorum for
the practice of Taekwondo. Fortunately, he continues in English.
“As promised, we’ll be sparring today. Pair off. Each of you needs
a partner for today’s exercise.”
    I glance around and realize that my
classmates are partnering up with ease. I’m the only one who hasn’t
bothered to make friends within the class. I’ve been too focused on
the material. And, it probably doesn’t help that Marcus and I threw
down so violently on the first day.
    “Since we have an odd number of students, you
and I will be working together today,” Nikolai informs me,
approaching confidently.
    “Lucky me,” I return dryly.
    “I think we both know that luck has nothing
to do with it. None of your classmates want to work with you,” he
says simply. “Not after that showing with Marcus.”
    I glare at him in return.
    “They’re not gutsy enough to challenge you,”
he whispers in my ear conspiratorially, his words blending in with
the other sounds of the training center. His breath is sweet and
hot against my cheek causing my stomach to churn nervously. My
pulse quickens, and I tell myself it’s just adrenaline preparing me
for the impending fight.
    “So, I’m being punished for being
proficient?” I ask sweeping my hair into a messy ponytail as I eye
him skeptically.
    “And here I thought you’d consider our
partnership an opportunity. You won’t get better by sparring with
opponents you can easily defeat,” he points out. Apparently he’s
unfazed by my total lack of interest in being his partner. “I’m the
best match for you. Unless you can’t handle it?”
    I know he’s trying to get a rise out of me,
and I refuse to fall for the bait. He’s right. If I want to be the
best, I’ve got to defeat the best. I haven’t seen him fight yet,
but his