The talk left me cautiously optimistic, that despite such a shaky beginning, Rose and I might yet find our way through the obstacle course of this new passion.
I snuck a glance at her and heat rose inside me at her loveliness. "Do you want to talk about what happened last night?"
She smirked. "Which parts?"
"Any of them? All of them?"
"I'm not sure what to say about it. I feel like a fool for acting like I did on our date and putting us both in danger. You were really incredible, you know. Thank you for… everything."
I placed my hand on her gloved one, and wondered once again what secrets she kept in those gloves. "You don't have to thank me."
"And thank your sister for me. She's awesome. You're lucky, my sister hates me."
It seemed unbelievable that anyone could hate Rose, but I didn't argue. "That sucks."
She shrugged. "We've just had very different experiences in life."
She didn't bring up the puppies and what happened, so I didn't push, though I couldn't imagine who would do something so cruel and demented.
"Derek, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything." My heart raced, though I didn't understand why.
"Can you teach me some real fighting techniques? I know I'm not going to become Bruce Lee after a few lessons—or ever, really—but I need practical street fighting skills. After what happened last night with those guys… and at home… I just want to know I at least have a chance at defending myself. Is that possible?"
Her eyes pleaded with me to say yes, and if I could have used my magic to give her the strength she craved, I would have, but learning to fight didn't happen overnight. "I can teach you some techniques that will help you in a pinch, but I'll be honest, it takes time to get to the point where you can go up against someone with training and expect to survive. You're pretty small, and you're not going to be able to match the strength of even unskilled male attackers. But there are things you can do to help, and we can work on those, okay?"
She closed her eyes and leaned back against the seat. "Okay. Thank you."
Mater Kyoung greeted us when we arrived at the studio. "I leave you two to practice. I have meeting in town, okay?"
Rose thanked him. "Oh, and I'm nearly done with your new website. I'll come by soon to show you."
He bowed and walked out, leaving us completely alone together, and my heart accelerated at the thought.
"Why don't you go change, and we can get started. But first, I have something for you." I pulled out the small jar of salve. "This will help you heal. Roll up your sleeve."
She pushed the blue fabric of her sweater up her arm, and I pulled the bandage open and rubbed in some of the cream.
"What's in it? It smells beautiful."
"It's a family recipe. Essential oils, mostly. It's all natural, but very effective."
I stuck the bandage back on. "We'll need to put one more coat on when we're done, then you can take it home. Apply twice a day until it's healed. It'll even help with scarring."
She looked at the jar in my hand. "Did you make that yourself?"
"Yes. Last night I couldn't sleep, and I wanted to give you something to help. I know it can't fix all the wounds inflicted on you, but it can at least help with this."
The distance between us closed as she pressed her body against me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I pulled her closer.
Her lips grazed against my earlobe. "Thank you, Derek. Thank you."
SIXTEEN
Grief Shows Much of Love
ROSE
Some grief shows much of love,
But much of grief shows still some want of wit.
— William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
HIS BODY PRESSED against mine as he mimicked an attacker coming up behind me. I did as instructed. Instead of fighting him, I went against instinct and let my body go limp, so as to surprise him, but my body just wouldn't fully relax.
I threw a mock elbow punch to his groin but couldn't get past his defenses.
"Remember, unless he's wearing a cup, no guy's going to be functional if you hit him where it hurts. Don't be afraid to play dirty and be vicious. Grab his balls and tear them off. Hit as hard as you can, and once he's immobilized, run like hell. It's your best chance of escape."
He reached for me and pulled my hand toward his groin. Blood rushed to my face as I imagined cupping him much more gently than he was training me to do.
"You want to be ready to attack as soon as he gives you an in."
Pulling me against him, gripping both wrists hard, he held me. "Do you remember how to get out of this?"
I yanked my wrists, but he held firm.
"Thumb up and twist. Don't use brute force, that won't work."