Book Fifteen: Ancient Ways

Sweat stung my eyes, the thud of my hands against the heavy bag vibrating up my arms and into my chest. I leaned back and lashed out with one foot in a roundhouse, connecting solidly with the cracked vinyl, the chain creaking as I sent the bag swinging.

"Nice hit." I turned, wiping my face on the shoulder of my t-shirt to the grinning face of my kick-boxing instructor. Sage steadied the bag, deep green eyes smiling as much as his ...