Wraithsong

  Chapter 20

  After school the next day, Anthony takes me directly to a shooting range he made himself, situated in the middle of a forest. There, he teaches me how to shoot a rifle, and after that he tells me he is going to show me a few basic self-defense moves. I like learning how to shoot a rifle—it’s easy—but self-defense lessons probably won’t come as effortlessly. I’m used to being graceful, but not to being aggressive.

  “The human, Huldra, and Darkálfar bodies are all very similar. What I teach you today may be applied to all species.”

  “So how many species are there?” I ask.

  “Many, but only what I’ve mentioned are in this war. Focus, Sonia.”

  I can’t help but wonder what types of beings these other species might be.

  “There are several points on the body that will cause a great deal of pain, if hit properly. Since you’re not a large person, you need to go for the most painful ones immediately. A forceful blow to just one of these areas can put a quick end to the fight.”

  Anthony stands close to me and my pulse quickens. Why can’t I just not care? He presses his palm squarely between my eyes.

  “A forceful blow that lands squarely on the forehead can knock an attacker’s head back, causing whiplash.” He takes a step back. “Hitting the eyes is very painful, and it can also damage the opponent’s vision, giving you time to harm them further.”

  “Okay,” I say.

  He grabs my shoulder and presses the heel of his hand against my nose. “A direct hit to the nose can lead to it fracturing and bleeding.” His hand presses against my collarbone. “Striking the collarbone with adequate force will break it and disable your opponent. A powerful kick to the knee or groin is equally disabling.” He doesn’t touch me there.

  I nod.

  “There are two methods of attack I want you to remember.”

  “Two, got it,” I say.

  “When you hit a smaller area like the nose, eyes or groin, it’s better to use your fist…” Anthony shapes my hand into a fist and continues, “your elbow…” he touches my elbow, “or your foot.” He steps back. “When aiming for the head, chest or stomach, an isolated strike is best.”

  “How?” I say.

  “With a knuckle punch. It’s very similar to a normal punch, but you focus the force of the strike into your knuckles instead of your entire hand.”

  Anthony shapes it into a fist again. His hands are warm, and he traces my knuckles with his fingertips.

  “Don’t tuck your fingers in all the way.” He helps my fingers release. “Then you strike your larger target directly with your knuckles. Don’t try to use this style to hit a person’s head since the hard bone might damage your hand.”

  He teaches me a few more self-defense techniques and then we’re ready to put my newfound knowledge to the test.

  “Take a wide stance and put your dominant foot forward,” Anthony says.

  I take my stance.

  Looking down at my feet, he says, “Don’t turn your toes outward like in ballet.”

  I turn my toes straight forward and it feels unnatural.

  Now make a fist with your hands and keep them close to your face.” He shows me how. “You want your weight to be on the balls of your feet, not in your heels.”

  “That’s the only thing that comes naturally to me.” I’m getting frustrated. This is hard work.

  “Come on, Sonia, hands up to your face.”

  Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I lift them up again.

  “I’m going to come at you slowly.” He moves in my direction and presses his fist straight toward my face. I duck.

  “Good,” he says. We continue moving slowly for about fifteen minutes. My stamina isn’t what it should be, and my muscles are already shaking from fatigue.

  “Now let’s try the legs. Kick me,” he says.

  I lift my leg and kick him in the side. I do it for a few minutes, but find myself winded.

  “Harder, Sonia.” His voice is impatient.

  I kick harder, but he doesn’t move at all. My legs are tired.

  “Do I have to say harder?”

  I clench my teeth and take a deep breath. This time I give it all I’ve got, but he moves out of the way so fast that I miss him completely. I fall belly-down on the forest ground. “Hey!”

  His eyebrows arch, but he doesn’t smile. “Not fast enough.”

  Now I’m angry. He’s playing with me, and by his mischievous expression, I would say that he’s enjoying it. I stand up and come at him, kicking the side of his knee, but his leg feels like concrete. He charges toward me and deftly moves to my back, grabbing me from behind. His cheek feels warm against mine and I hate that my mind is lingering on that instead of trying to improve my fighting skills. He’s holding me so tight that I can’t wiggle free.

  “Come on, Sonia, what would you do if this were a real situation?”

  “I don’t know,” I yell, struggling to get out of his grip.

  “Think. If your mother were lying on the ground dying, what would you do? Don’t practice half-heartedly.” His voice is stern. “Do whatever it takes.”

  I scream and then elbow him in the gut as hard as I can, but it’s to no avail—he’s too strong for me. I’m furious now and hit him several more times, but nothing is working. He’s got me in a deadlock and I’m quickly running out of steam. How can I get out of this? I do the only thing I think to do and turn toward him and lick his cheek. The surprise attack shocks him, and I see my opportunity. I lift my foot up and stomp his as hard as I can. He yells out in pain and I elbow him in the stomach again. He’s taken off guard so he loosens his grip around me. I fling my arms open and I’m free.

  “I did it!” I’m ecstatic.

  Anthony, however, doesn’t look too happy with me. He’s holding onto his foot like he’s in pain.

  My hands hit my hips. “What, don’t like being beaten by a girl?”

  His eyes lock with mine and there’s so much anger there that it frightens me. He grabs my arms and pushes me up against a tree. It doesn’t hurt, but I’m frightened and my heart is beating nervously.

  His face is one inch from mine. “You’re not taking this seriously. Do I have to remind you that your mother’s life is at stake? You’ll never learn to fight if you cheat.”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes, Anthony,” I spew. “Wasn’t that what you wanted?”

  “What you just did won’t work with others.”

  “It worked on you. Maybe it was my instinct.”

  “Instinct? Hardly. It was a cheap way to get out of a difficult situation. It teaches you nothing about the real world and the types of creatures we’ll need to fight. We’re done here.” He slams his fist into the tree behind my head and trudges off.

  I wait a while before I follow him. When I get to the car, he doesn’t acknowledge me at first. Guardedly, I get in my seat.

  “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt your foot,” I say.

  “No, I’m sorry. I think—I wasn’t expecting you to do what you just did, but I guess it worked to your advantage. Surprise attacks may not be honorable, but they are effective.” He reaches his hand out and places it on my knee. “I hope I didn’t scare you. I would never want to do that.”

  “You did, but I’m over it, and I know you would never hurt me.” I take his hand for a moment and then let go.

  “I’ll be sure to not let my temper get the best of me, and you’re right, I don’t like losing to a girl, especially when I was the one who taught her how to fight.” The left side of his lips rises.

  “Well, I think I should take the credit for this one. It was, after all, my instinct that made me win,” I say.

  He looks over at me and smirks. “You’re right, Sonia, good job.”

  I try not to smile too much.