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With the exception of Peter The old, crazy driver

Seriously, even growing up with randparents and their hoodoo and root-doctor beliefs, I never suspected such otherbeings existed on the same plane as mortals To look at them all now--Tristan, Jake, Darius, Gabriel, Eli, Noah, Victorian, Lucian, Ginger, and Sydney--they sees Skin Flesh Muscle Bone Blood

Well, so

Despite the long s lining the dojo wall, the already-bleak grayness froin to extend, and the chamber takes on a distinctly creepy, eerie feel It’s al at an old black-and-white roll of film or one of the silent pictures from the 1920s Surreal That’s about the only word that fits it I almost feel displaced, as if I’h a hole and seeing all of this going on Weird

"Grimm How nice of you to find your way up here and join us," Tristan says, causing et weirder

Now there’s the guy standing in the entranceway I i different about hi unearthly Not soHoly? Definitely ethereal With dark, wavy auburn hair worn loose around his shoulders, he isn’t as big and bulky as Tristan Lean Strong Broad He also wears black ear and a black jacket His name is Grimm? Seriously?

"Aye, well, I was detained by Peter," he replies He aze to Gabriel "Gabriel, quite aunique place, this"

Gabriel gives a slight nod He even almost smiles "It is"

I study Grimm A unique sort of accent he has, too Old Medieval, like Tristan’s, but different somehow I’m already anxious to hear his story

Or see it

Jake introduces hitime best mate of de Barre here," he says "Conwyk, the tealances over us all, and his eyes rest on me It’s not difficult to follow his eyes as he takes in h I’ve been the topic of convo between these guys?

Because you have, love, says Jake in my head You are somewhat of an anomaly, Ms Poe Get used to it

A snort escapes me I can’t hold it in Swear to God, I can’t help it I’m the anomaly here? Seriously?

All eyes turn to ht," he finally says "Why don’t we break into groups?" He points "Eli, you’re with Conwyk Miles, you’re with Gabriel Lucian, you’re with aze latches on to mine "Riley, you’re with de Barre We’ll eventually all rotate partners, to get the feel of each different technique used in sparring For now"--he throws a probing look over us all--"let’s see what you have Miles, MacLeod, helpthe wall, and Jake and the guys roll up the mat and push it to the end of the dojo Beneath it lays the old wooden floor I notice every couple of feet are four grooves e at me "Desks For the children"

God, that freaks hs

"Ms Poe?"

I turn and look up--way up Tristan is standing there, waiting "Ready?" he asks

"Always," I respond

Together we cross the dojo I catch Eli’s gaze, he gives me a smile, and he turns to talk to Gawan I have to say, I extremely need some Eli Time Soon

Good to hear, Poe Now pay attention so you don’t get hacked with a blade, oui?

I s atbit of artwork on your face, Ms Poe," he says "Does it h "Yeah," I say "It ot it," I answer "I honestly don’t even re Stupid"

Tristan’s stare is profound and lasts for several seconds "Aye, well, we’ve all been that at one ti now, aye?"

I consider his words "Yeah, I guess it does" The big guy seeave hiainst lance over to the rack of blades just as Eli is withdrawing a sword Da Only then do I notice Gaho has pulled off his jacket The black, billowy sleeves of his martial arts tunic co down each arers I’ue me

"Try this one out for size," Tristan says, and I turnout to me "Grasp the hilt like so," he instructs, and I do as he says "Feel the weight of it in your arms Make sure it’s distributed from hilt to sword tip"