“They’re not going to find out, and even if they did, they have nobody to blame but themselves. It’s their fault you had to search out a trainer on your own.” Sheridan clenched her fists and set them on her hips. “I get being protective of your kids. My dad has shielded all of us from the evil in this world as much as he can, but he’s also made sure my siblings and I can handle anything that comes our way. Your parents have done you a disservice by coddling you the way they have.”
“Which is why I didn’t hesitate to volunteer to head up your training when Kieran asked,” a male voice said from behind us.
I whirled around and found Ren standing only a few feet away. Sheridan hadn’t been kidding about him having mad skills—I hadn’t heard a thing when he teleported into the room.
Although I’d never felt the tiniest hint of attraction to a male—and never would until I met my destined mate—I subjectively knew that Ren was gorgeous. With the stereotypical Bancroft dark hair and bright blue eyes, I was certain he got a lot of unwanted attention from human women. And judging by the smug curve of his lips, he was well aware of his attractiveness.
The man was doing me a huge favor, so I refrained from rolling my eyes as I walked toward him and thrust out my hand. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
There wasn’t a single speck of reaction when his palm slid against mine. Not that I expected there to be. Not until I reached the age of majority and could I sense my fated pairing.
Ren’s expression softened, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had the gift of clairvoyance when he murmured, “No thanks are necessary. You never know, we could discover when you turn eighteen that we’re destined to be together, and I’ve been helping you out of a selfish instinct all along.”
I yanked my hand from his grasp and took a step back, shaking my head. “I hope not.”
His eyes widened as his head jerked back in surprise. “Come on now, I’m a hell of a catch!”
“It’s not you, it’s me,” I mumbled.
He chuckled softly and shook his head. “That’s what everyone says when they’re trying to let someone down easily.”
He was right. He deserved more than a cliché for an explanation. “I had to sneak behind my parents' back to meet with you today. They think Sheridan and I are hanging out doing teenage girl things at her house.”
“That’s technically true.” He waved his hand in a circle. “You’re both sixteen, and you’re in the basement of Sheridan’s home. Hence, you’re doing teenage girl stuff at her house.”
“I’m a sixteen-year-old daywalker, and the only thing I’ve been taught is to run if confronted by a nightwalker. Maybe land a good punch or two before taking off. But that’s it.” I strode over to the weapons on the wall across from me and trailed my fingers down a wooden stake. “We have a training room in our basement just like this one, but I’ve never been allowed to touch any of the weapons there.”
“I’m more than happy to teach you how to use them.” Ren shrugged as his brows drew together. “But I don’t understand what any of this has to do with not wanting to find your fated mate.”
I heaved a deep sigh. “You know how daywalker men can be.”
“Um, yeah...because I am one,” he joked as he pointed at his broad chest.
“And when you meet your destined consort, I’m sure you’ll be just as overprotective with her as all male daywalkers are with their women.” I pulled a wooden stake from the wall. “She’ll probably never need to use any of the training she had before you found her. Because you’ll be there to do all the killing for her.”
“You’re wrong.” He shook his head, his expression turning utterly serious. “I hope like hell my destined consort never has to fight for her life, but if she hasn’t already learned how to kill a nightwalker, you can be damn sure I’ll teach her everything she needs to know.”
“But what if mine wants to wrap me in bubble wrap like my parents have done my whole life?” I asked, giving voice to my deepest fear about meeting the man who could own my heart but would also have the power to break it.
Ren gripped my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Fate wouldn’t pair you with someone who couldn’t be exactly what you need. Your partner won’t try to stifle you. He’ll help you become the best version of yourself that you can be.”
Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to test that theory for a long time. I’d hate to find out he was wrong before I’d achieved what I set out to do.