The Tainted (The Tainted Series Book 1) by Anna Hill

afternoon, Etain worked only with Rebecca. First, she taught Rebecca how to maintain a stance that not only protected her body, but allowed her to be ready to attack at any moment. Next, they worked on jabs, hooks, crosses, upper cuts, front kicks, sidekicks, and, finally, roundhouses. After over three hours of relentless training, Rebecca collapsed on the mossy ground, splayed out and panting heavily.
    “I didn’t even know there were that many ways to attack someone,” she said between gasps.
    Etain stood over her, also sweaty from their workout, but not nearly as physically exerted. “You did well today. Still, fighting a foam pad and fighting a soldier are very different. You’re going to need a lot more practice.”
    Rebecca exhaled heavily and closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure she was ready for these training sessions to become a regular occurrence. At this moment, all she wanted to do was curl up in bed and pass out.
    “Alright, let’s head back and get some dinner. I don’t know about all of you, but I’m starving!” Owen called out from somewhere off to her right.
    Rebecca lay there with her eyes closed for a moment longer, listening to the others begin to leave the small clearing. After a few minutes, the forest around her fell into a calming silence, the only noise coming from the soft rustle of the wind as it danced through the branches above. It had been so long since she’d been able to just lie in the stillness of the woods and relax.
    Her body ached from the workout, and she could feel the sweat on her skin begin to dry and cool, causing goosebumps to rise up on her flesh. But, at that moment, nothing seemed to bother her. Breathing deeply, Rebecca cleared her head of all the worry and fear that had built up over the last few days. Her sadness and anxiety melted away, and a sense of peace that only the forest could provide settled over her.
    “That’s the first time I’ve seen you smile since we left.”
    Rebecca bolted upright, her eyes flying open in shock. She sighed with relief, however, when she spotted Maverick standing over her.
    “I’m sorry,” he said as he sat beside her. “I didn’t mean to ruin your moment, you just looked so peaceful and happy…I was worried I’d never see you like that again.”
    Rebecca leaned back onto her elbows and looked up at the branches above them. “It’s the forest. I feel at home out here, amongst the trees.”
    Maverick followed her gaze upward. “It’s the one place you feel safe. I understand, I’m the same. It comes from your Ailill side.”
    “When I used to live in the city, I never got to experience nature, except for what I saw in small parks. In Cle Elum, when I finally got to run through the woods, I felt a peace I’d never known before.”
    They fell silent for a moment, simply enjoying the beauty of the forest that surrounded them. Breathing deeply, Rebecca closed her eyes again, allowing the tranquility of the moment to wash over her.
    “I’m glad you decided to come with me,” Maverick broke the silence, looking over at Rebecca.
    She turned and met his gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she didn’t answer him.
    There it was again, the feeling as if she were being drawn to him, as if every fiber of her body was calling out for him. Though she fought against her urge to move closer, she made no attempt to pull away from him.
    Maverick remained still as well, seeming equally immobilized. For a second, it looked as though he was just about to move his hand over toward her when, out of nowhere, something flew out of the trees and pounced on him.
    Rebecca instantly rolled to the side and sprung to her feet. When she turned back toward Maverick, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing at what she saw.
    Maverick was sprawled out on the ground with little Trysten perched happily on his chest, smiling down at his captive.
    “Do you always have to do that?” Maverick groaned.
    “Yes,” Trysen answered readily. “Etain