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“Jade, it takes years of training I practically started when I could walk, since my uncle kneould someday replace him You’ve only recently been at it”
“That’s not true,” she rushed on “I learned to fight when I was a kid too And you can’t tell ood enough to take Walker’s assignment”
“I won’t dispute that” He rubbed his teh a headache had suddenly set in “But you still don’t kno to kill demons”
“Show me”
He looked ill “Jade, this isn’t so you just suddenly decide to do It’s a life choice Once you’re a slayer, you’re always a slayer Until you die”
“I understand that And it’s not an arbitrary thought, Tanner I’ve wondered for a long time if this was the path I was meant to take I believe it is There’s no one else in our village to rise up and partner with you I’ood one at that”
“Holy Christ” He appeared to need the bucket as well, but held back “When the king finds out… Jade, he’ll never stand for this I’ve seen his horse outside your cottage I know he visits you and that there’s so between you two He won’t approve of this Hell, that’s a monumental understatement He’ll be furious”
“I take coh she knew Tanner was right And the fallout would, no doubt, be hellacious But just thinking of Walker lying in the clinic made her bound and determined “You’re the only one noho canfor this village”
He let out a low grunt “I will never hear the end of it if I do” Then he grumbled, “I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t Goddamn it, Jade You are such a pain in the ass”
“I’m sure you’re not the first one to notice”
He haru’s shit list”
“I’ll deal with hio”
She headed toward the town hall with Tanner sto to shake his head He found the official registry information and completed the paperwork to record the new addition to the world of slayers Then she took her oath to sacrifice her own life in order to protect huainst demon attacks
Not once did she delude herself into believing Darien would understand the decision she’d o her own safety in lieu of others’ She’d broken her proh her heart constricted at the thought, her head told her she was doing what she’d been born to do
“Now,” she said to her new partner “Teachyou know”