Chapter 19 Nineteen
Danica wasn't quite sure just how long she sat on that bench, watching as the sun disappeared and the moon appeared. Time ceased to exist as she let her depressing thoughts completely consume her.
As she continued to feel sorry for herself, she also promised herself that this would be the last time.
Chris was right; she needed to get herself straight, otherwise she wouldn't get anywhere. If she needed to find the sorcerer who cast her curse to break it, then she needed to know how to fight.
Finding a new conviction, Danica headed back to her dorm to sleep, determined to wake up the following morning ready to become a better her.
"You're doing great!" Chris called as Danica managed to pin Bella to the ground, winning her first match ever against her. "I don't know what has changed, but keep it up!"
Huffing, Danica helped Bella to her feet.
"Good match," she said, smiling and placing a hand on Bella's shoulder.
"Seems you're feeling better," Bella noted, smiling back. "Best three out of two?" Her eyes sparked at the prospect of going two more rounds.
"Sure."
Although Danica wasn't too sure she would be able to pull off another win, she didn't want to give up the chance to hone in on her combat skills either.
Flashing a smile, Bella prepared herself to go after Danica once again.
In the end, Danica didn't manage to win another round, making Bella the ultimate winner, but she did manage to hold her own.
After bidding Bella and Chris farewell, Danica made her way to find Mason. She hadn't seen him since they left Nigel's and had begun to worry about him.
She wasn't sure if he was purposely avoiding her or if he was just swamped with pack-related work, but she wasn't going to continue to allow him to leave her all by herself since he was the reason she was even here in the first place. If he hadn't introduced her to this world, then maybe her life wouldn't be all over the place right now.
'Armory,' the voice in Danica's head said weakly.
"Is that where Mason is?" Danica asked, quickly changing her path.
The voice didn't respond again, but Danica was almost certain it was referring to Mason's location. Deciding to listen, she began making her way towards the east yard.
Since her arrival at the barracks, Danica had never stepped foot in the armory, but she was aware of where it was. It wasn't a place she had any business being, after all.
Curiousity flaring, she began wondering why exactly Mason was hanging out in a place full of weapons as she approached.
The sound of metal clashing against metal drew Danica's attention when she arrived at her destination.
Moving forward, she spotted Mason and one of his underlings practicing swordfighting. Being careful not to make any noise, she inched closer to get a better look.
Mason was shirtless, allowing Danica to see for the first time all the scars that marred his tan skin along his chest and back. She was aware that being a leader meant having to fight rogues, but she hadn't realized to what extent he would have to carry those fights with him.
Covering her mouth, she tried to stifle the gasp that tried to escape. She didn't want to catch Mason off guard in case she distracted him and his opponent accidentally cut him with his sword.
It didn't take much time for Mason to overpower his underling, bringing about the end of their match. Bidding farewell, he turned his gaze towards where Danica stood.
"Watched enough?" He asked, smiling.
"Who wants to watch you?" Danica snapped, bristling at Mason's cockiness. "I just didn't want to interrupt your match."
Not seeming convinced, Mason just smirked, "Whatever you say."
"You're pretty full of yourself, you know?" Danica pointed out. "You really should fix that habit."
This time Mason laughed as if what Danica said was the funniest thing on earth.
"You're adorable; did you know that?" He asked between laughs.
"You're making it sound like I'm some amusing child."
Danica didn't quite understand it, but she couldn't help but be up in arms when it came to interacting with Mason.
Trying to contain his laughter, Mason made his way towards Danica.
"I assure you, I don't see you as a child," he murmured, his bright green eyes darkening. "Nowhere near."
Feeling embarrassed, Danica took a few steps back.
"I didn't come here just for you to make fun at my expense."
"Oh yeah?" Mason asked, coming closer. "What did you go out of your way to find me for then?"
"I wanted to ask you about going to find the sorcerer that cursed me." Danica watched as Mason immediately sobered up and began looking at her like she was insane. "The full moon is coming soon, and I personally don't want to have to go through the changeless change again."
"You aren't ready to venture into the darklands yet." Mason's words held an air of finality to them, but Danica wasn't willing to back down.
"Mason, I don't think I will ever truly be prepared, but I can't just sit and do nothing when I know what is coming my way."
"Not yet," Mason snapped. It was the first time he had actually raised his voice at Danica, and she couldn't help but flinch at the sound.
"This isn't about you!" She knew she was being stubborn, but her fear continued to drive her to push further. "You aren't the one that's going to suffer every full moon!"
"You aren't strong enough yet." Mason's jaw had begun to tick as he worked to keep his temper in check. "You could end up getting yourself killed."
"I DON'T CARE!" Every ounce of fear and anger Danica had been feeling for the past few days had begun to spew out, and try as she might, she couldn't reign it in.
"You need to calm down before we continue with this conversation."
Turning,Mason began storming away, making it clear the discussion was finished.
"THAT'S RIGHT, JUST WALK AWAY!" Danica yelled after him as she watched his retreating back. "TYPICAL MAN, RUNNING FROM YOUR PROBLEMS!" She continued, unable to stop.
Despite the insults she was throwing at him, Mason continued to move, not even bothering once to turn around and look back at her.
Letting out a pained laugh, Danica covered her face with her hands as she slumped to the ground. She had sworn to herself that she wouldn't cry anymore, and she intended to keep that promise. Willing the tears to retreat back to where they came from, she forced herself up.
Unable to remain in the barracks, she began to run; where she was running to, she didn't know. All she knew was that she needed the physical exertion to clear her head, and she wanted to make as much distance as she possibly could between her and the training grounds.
With this thought in mind, she continued forward out of the training grounds and into the world beyond.