Elena
Can we train today? I asked Eevie. I figured with as much as we were fighting demons lately, it'd come in useful to get our switches down. I also wanted to work on the partial switches. I really wanted to get to the point where I could use her abilities on my own. Wouldn't that be something?
Of course, she replied. Just go find us a quiet, secluded spot.
That was, of course, easier said than done. College was full of students. At all times with odd schedules. There wasn't ever a very good time to be out and about and not have anyone else out and about also. Remembering that secluded spot behind the science building, I made my way over. It was empty.
We're here. Where do we start? I asked eagerly. I felt a little guilty having left Alexa again. I was sure she was probably always wondering where I ran off to. It was a good thing I had brought my backpack so I could always say I was reading or studying once classes actually started.
Let's work on switching. We need to get good enough that we barely even have to think about it and it just happens, which could come in quite handy when in the case of Alistair the other night or if I'm switched out and a human stumbles upon us and we need to switch back to you. she explained. She had acquired her stern, teachery voice.
Got it. Nodding, I stood with my feet shoulder width apart and took deep breath and switched with Eevie after mildly concentrating on the switch. We went back and forth for a good half an hour before I felt any improvement. Eevie made us keep at it for another hour to get it down.
My brain hurt in the beginning, but as it took less concentration to switch, it quickly went away. I was proud of myself for the progress we were making. I knew I'd get tired the more we practiced with some of the other things, but I was ready. I didn't care.
Okay, we're definitely succeeding at the switching. I think we're pretty good at that, now. We'll have to practice for a half an hour every day at least until I am satisfied you won't freeze up or something in the middle of a fight or when we have to go visit my parents. I'll have to be switched forward for the majority of the stay, but you'll have to switch when you meet them, and we need to look strong to them. We cannot show any weaknesses.
The thought of meeting Eevie's parents terrified me after the story she had told me yesterday. And I was determined to get all of this right and impress them so they didn't have anything to be mad at Eevie about. Maybe if they saw she was bonded to a competent human, it'd be easier for them to take.
I will not show weakness, I vowed, and I meant it.
It'd be good if we could teach you some martial arts. If Alistair were here, he could do it. He is a great teacher. I wonder if I could reach him somehow to get him here. she wondered aloud going quiet as she thought about it.
How would you do that? I asked her.
Back before the salem witch trials, I had befriended a witch who taught me a few simple spells to do. One of them happens to be linking my mind with someone else for a short period of time to talk to them across great distances. I was so young back then, only 45 years old. But it's been a couple centuries since I've tried to use them.
Seems like a good time as any to try it out. I told her as my mind tried to wrap around the idea that Eevie had been alive during the Salem witch trials back in 1692. Doing the math in my head, I realized she was born in 1647. It was hard to comprehend someone that old.
I need to switch in order to do it. And then she was in the front; we switched with barely a thought to do so. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a charm of some sort. Holding it in both hands, she started saying something in Latin. I had no idea what she was saying, but the wind picked up, and I thought that was a good indication that it was working.
Suddenly, she wasn't speaking in Latin, she was speaking normally again, "Alistair, I know I have no right to ask this of you, but I need you to teach my human martial arts training. A little bit of self defense. Especially against a demon. We need your help. You know where to find me." And with that, the wind died down again to the gentle breeze.
Waiting, I wondered how long it would take Alistair to get here. Was it a long journey? I asked Eevie, and she smiled. As long as a demon can find a portal, the travel to the human realm is instantaneous. What takes so long is getting to the portal and then getting to the right place once you are in the human realm. After everything my family put Alistair, though, I'm not sure he'll even come. He'd be risking a lot.
If he's your best friend, he'll be here. But while we wait, do you want to practice partial switches? I hoped distracting her for awhile would get her mind off of the depressingness of dealing with her family.
Only for a little while. If Alistair does show up, I don't want you to be so exhausted that you can't practice any moves. She told me firmly. She had that far off look about her. Her mind was elsewhere.
Eevie
As much as I wanted my heart to be in this training session, it just wasn't. All I could think about was how much danger I was putting Alistair in for even asking him to be here. He'd be a fool to show up. I knew other demons that knew martial arts better than Alistair, but I wasn't sure I could trust them to keep it between us. Alistair was the only demon I could trust.
An hour later, and I could sense a demon coming upon our secluded spot and Elena and I switched so I was ready to face the demon. As the demon got closer, however, I realized who it was, but I wouldn't dare allow myself to hope for anything. Alistair could have shown up long enough to tell me to leave him alone.
Suddenly, Alistair was in front of me. He didn't look pissed. In fact, he had a lopsided grin on his face. "I can't believe you remembered how to do that spell," he said coming to give me a hug.
"I was surprised I remembered the words," I admitted. "Thank you for coming."
"Who can turn down Evelyn Montilyet when she asks for help?" he smirked pulling away. "Whipping your human into shape sounds fun. Besides, we both know we need her in tip top shape to impress your father. And if your father is in a good mood, me and my family get to live longer."
I was glad he could joke about it, but I still winced at the idea of my father holding AListair's life in his hand. "I will definitely owe you one," I told him.
"You owe me lots of ones. I'm always the one that has to bail you out of trouble. It's a wonder you made it to this point without me. But I'm glad you've come to your senses. It's be lonely without you," he admitted.
"I've missed you, too," I told him honestly. "Are you ready to officially meet Elena?"
"Hell, yes," he grinned.
Elena and I switched easily, and she stood timidly in front of Alistair. He pretended to swoon. "Eevie got lucky when you were picked for her. She had to have been paired with the pretties human I've ever seen." He grabbed Elena's hand and brought the back of her palm up to his lips, kissing it softly. "I am Alistair, my lady."
A brilliant shade of red, Elena curtsied, "How kind of you to say, sir. A pleasure to meet you."
Alister laughed. "You are really a treat. But I hope you still think it's a pleasure when I'm through with you. Let's get started right away then." Alistair circled Elena appraising his new student. "You have wide hips, and you're a bit stockier, which will work in your advantage. I want you to get down in this position..."
I stopped listening, knowing Elena was in good hands. I was going over the spells and such I could teach Elena. When she met my father and mother, she would have to be perfect. My family had to think she was worthy enough of being bonded to me or they would do something drastic, and I would do whatever it took to make sure nothing bad happened.
She was already polite enough, and with Alistair training her, if they made her show off some skills, we had that covered. I needed to teach her more about the demons and inner workings of the demon world. SHe needed to be able to answer any question they posed to her. Granted, I'd be there to feed her the answers, it'd be best if she at least knew the basics.
AFter a couple more hours of training with Alistair, I switched with her and decided to spar with him for a little while. I was still able to pin him.
"I give!" he tapped out, and I smiled as I helped him up. "You always could beat the shit out of anyone."
"Mainly just you," I teased. And then I got serious. "Seriously, Alistair. Thank you for doing this."
"I can keep doing this a few times a week. Not always, but I will let you know. As of right now, let's do every two days. If things change, well, we both know the spell to get in touch with the other," he suggested.
Nodding my head, I agreed. "That sounds perfect. I will see you in two days time."
Alistair waved and then vanished. I sighed, glad that training was over. I was tired. It was already well into the afternoon.
Let's get back to the dorm and shower. I feel so dirty, Elena suggested, and I switched with her to let her back in control to collect her things and head back, and on our way back, Elena got a call from her grandmother to chat. And I tried not to listen to give them privacy. They deserved that from me at least.
