Page 2 (1/2)

Fuck

He didn’t do this He didn’t kno to do this

But you do kno to fk so up beyond repair

He had to fix this Had to

Ronin retreated from the bathroom He paused in the doorway to her bedroom Her ru dangling off the end of the mattress where he’d thrown it back Pillows shoved to his side of the bed

But on her side of the bedthere were the two coils of black rope he’d forgotten to pack up before leaving yesterdayhe’d woken in her bed? Only one da had imploded?

At least she hadn’t thrown them out in a fit of pique

Now that he knew they were here, he had a legiti

• • •

BACK at the Black Arts dojo, Ronin wandered around like a ghost No one engaged hi yet nothing as his nize the woman at first

Shihan Knox barked, "None of you have shown any familiarity with this technique, and I know this is not the first ti their head in shame

Except for one

Naturally Knox noticed her defiant posture His eyes narrowed and he pointed to her "You Up here Now"

The woman sauntered to the front of the class and bowed

"You familiar with this technique?"

She kept her head lowered "Yes, Godan"

"Good" Knox took five steps back "Start from the defensive stance" He went at her, low and outside

In that split second Ronin recognized Knox’s mistake--as did his student

She used the forwardhiuard, and he took a knee--which was as good as ad defeat

Shihan Knox shot to his feet He tried to appear unfazed, but Ronin recognized his annoyance Knox said, "Reverse stances You’re on the offensive"

"No," the student said cale I wouldn’t co That’s why no one in the class hasrinned Ronin knew he lived for this co tiht be better spent, defend yourself any way you see fit" Then Knox rushed her