February 20th, 1935

 I think my leg is broken. It throbs horribly as I dodge another one of Octavian's crippling blows. Today we fight with blunt wooden sticks, which are less lethal than knives, but I find that I detest them more. I let my guard down when we fight with the sticks. There is no blade to intimidate me. I become careless and slow. Octavian breaks me.
        The club whistles through the air and cracks against my ribs. My block comes a second too late. I cry out and crumple to the ground. 
        Damn him. 
        I am not sure if I should cradle my broken calf or my aching side. I can already feel my body healing, but it is not a pleasant process. I groan in discomfort as my bones shift back into place.
        "Stop your whining, won't you, Elizabeth? I caught you fair and square that time. You can't falter like that. If an enemy saw a weakness in you, they'd kill you before you had time to blink."
        Octavian drops heavily next to me. He is panting and sweaty, which gives me an odd sense of satisfaction. I kept my guard up for a couple of hours at least. He should be tired.
        "I think my club had a crack in it."
        "Excuses. I beat you because I am stronger. That's why I lead the clan, not you."
        "You lead the clan because you're pushy and obnoxious."
        "Would you have your Leader any other way?"
        I push myself up to a sitting position and give my foot a test flex. I cringe. Still tender. I thump my stick against his thigh. "I would have my Leader powerful, wise, and good-looking." 
        He grins. "I'm two for three."
        I gaze across the field, picking at the grass beneath me. I can't help but smile. "I suppose you're powerful and wise, yes, but the good looks could use some improvement."
        He leans toward me. "Actually, I was thinking I could use some growth in wisdom. I've mastered all else."
        "If only you were half as charming as you think you are."
        "Elizabeth."
        "Octavian."
        He laughs. I watch him as he picks at the chipping wood of his club.
        "What is the matter?"
        He looks up, startled. "How do you know anything is the matter?"
        I scoff. "How do I know? Octavian. You've been my Leader for ten years. You may try to appear strong and fearless in front of everyone else, but don't forget that I saw you cry when that hunter shot through your shoulder. Sometimes I think I know you better than you know yourself." 
        "Oh, come off it, Elizabeth. It's Ora," he sighs. "I haven't seen her since she deserted us. Things did not end well between her and I. You know how it went. She thinks I am too young to be leading. I think she's.... well. I think she's a bossy old woman. And she was very eager to... blend with the humans. Shop in their markets. Chat with them on the streets. It's almost as if she enjoyed their company." He grimaces. "I think the fatal blow to our friendship, though, was when she--"
        "Octavian. I don't think we need to recount that again," I say quietly.
        He frowns. "You're right. I'm sorry." 
        "Will you please try to get along with her, for the clan's sake?"
        He takes my hand, something he does not do often. "I don't think I'm the one you should be worrying about, Elizabeth."
        I don't reply. He's right. Octavian leans closer. I gaze back at him in curiosity. I have heard that, when humans experience things like this, their heartbeats quicken, and their faces get red. I wonder if my heart is racing. If it is, I cannot feel it. 
        Octavian watches me with calm, pale blue eyes. He is not an ugly man, but he is not stunning, either. He's tall, slim, quick rather than strong. His hair is a deep, inky black-- as a demon's often is-- and he wears it long, tied back with a leather strap. His features are thin and rather gaunt, and a slender scar runs from the right corner of his mouth up his cheekbone and into his hairline. A short stubble coats his jaw, and white-ink runes and symbols disappear down his neck into his black polo. His warm breath sweeps across my face. 
        He leans back slowly. "For a demon-girl, you are quite beautiful, Elizabeth."
        I blink in surprise. 
        He rises, abandoning his stick in the field's tall grass. "I had best go see that Ora's room is ready to accommodate her." He makes a disgusted face. "She requested to be very near to you, did you know that?"
        " I did not," I mumble. 
        "That woman is going to drive me mad," he mutters. "Please join me for a few moments in my apartment in a couple of hours. We have things to review before the witch arrives."
        "Her name is Ora."
        "That's what I said." 
        I watch him leave. It takes me several minutes to realize that I am smiling. 

Author's Note

Critique away, ~

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the chapter. Good situation and characters. You gave some history and events to create strength and weaknesses of the main characters. A nice closure to the excellent chapter.
Coyote

[A Ghost of Myself]

(.) [,] because [t]here is no blade to intimidate me. [otherwise the sentence is a fragment.]

I cringe[,] [s]till tender.

I think she's.... well. I think she's a bossy old woman.

I think she's . . . well, I think she's a bossy old woman.

[She] Shop[ped] in their markets[,] Chat[ted] with them on the streets.

Your description of Octavian worked great in transition. You gave your character a reason to tell the reader these features, often writers will throw these descriptions up front without cause.

This chapter was done very well, you gave some insight into your characters, their motivations, and relationship, also you answered the nagging question you left on a cliff-hanger, Who is Ora? A few minor errors throughout, but overall well done.

[MomzillaNC]

The exchange between the characters in engaging.

[Falling Leaf.]

Thank you!

[MomzillaNC]

yw :)

[Valentine]

I like your back and forth character writing. Your lines are good. I am not into this type of a story but what is important is how you are presenting it to your readers. That you are doing very well. Valentine

[Falling Leaf.]

Thank you, Valentine!