Typhon's Revenge

Chapter Twelve

After breakfast, Noah excused himself from our table. I couldn't help but sigh in relief as my body relaxed. But the feeling was very brief and it disappeared as soon as my eyes caught sight of Noah smiling and winking in Aileen's direction as he walked towards the door. 

It was a small gesture that might have been gone unnoticed by the others but not by me. From the corner of my eyes, I l looked at Aileen and I froze when I realized she had seen Noah and I couldn't help but stiffen. It gave me some comfort to see Aileen only smile kindly at Noah, but she didn't blush nor giggle like usually did when they started to like someone. 

Which made me wonder if I was just seeing things that weren't there, or if Noah was actually a flirt and was trying to get to Aileen.

Shaking my head, I pushed the thoughts away out of my mind and turned my attention to the group. I couldn't afford to think like that. I couldn't give in to my fears. 

"Okay, so I think we should discuss how our training is going to continue," Aileen said as she leaned forward onto the table and looked at each of us briefly. 

"We should get Hades to teach us, he's a god," Kalani suggested with a shrug and Aileen tried not to stiffen but it was in vain. 

"Unfortunately, I don't think he would appreciate us intruding and keeping him from his job. Andrew and I will train you," Aileen said as she stared at Kalani and held her gaze. The two girls stared at each other and a shock of tension filled the table as everyone expected some sort of outburst. 

"But what could you teach us?" Kalani asked and I stiffened. I knew she wasn't trying to be rude, it was just in her nature to question everything and to ask things directly when they made no sense to her. But when I saw a look of frustration flare in Aileen's eyes, I knew I was going to have to talk to Kalani about how to say things. 

"Andrew and I, and Alex as well, although briefly, were trained by one of the seven muses, Melpomene. She taught us everything she knew and believe me, she was the most skillful fighter I have ever seen. She always had a trick up her sleeve. Sometimes Andrew and I would have to fight her together to unarm her," she said tightly and I nodded my head, trying to break the tension.

"We know what we're doing, Kalani. Just try to learn as much as you can. As long as you know at least what we know, you'll be able to defend yourself," I said more softly and Aileen turned away uncomfortably. 

"Yeah, besides, Aileen is a great teacher. She can be a bit strict and extreme, but she means well," Mason butted in and my eyes widened. Aileen had already begun his training?

Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, I turned away and just nodded my head.

"Hold on, when did you start your training?" Kalani asked with wide eyes.

Mason shrugged, "I'm not sure of the specific date, but it was a little bit after Aileen and Alex found me."

Kalani pursed her lips together, suddenly realizing she was probably the least trained person in the room. She didn't say anything as she folded her hands and placed them on her lap. 

"Now that that's settled. I wanted to discuss schedules with you. I suggest getting up around 6 am to go on a run by 6:30 am and then come back to freshen up and then have breakfast. After that, we'll have our study sessions in the library until lunch and after lunch, we'll do some combat training until dinner and after we'll train with our powers," Aileen said with a shrug and I felt Kalani stiffen next to me.

"What?! Is it really necessary to get up so early just to go on a run? What's the point?" She blurted and I had to keep from rolling my eyes. If she kept on questioning Aileen without offering any counter suggestions, then we were going to spend all day sitting here and never agreeing to something.

"It's necessary to build stamina. Someday we might need it and it's better to have it and not use it rather than need it and not to have it. Don't worry, it's not very demanding once you get the hang of it," I said before Aileen could respond.

Kalani looked at me and raised an eyebrow as if she was unsure if she believed me. "Okay, that makes sense. But do we really need to train the whole day? Can't we take a break every now and then?"

Mason chuckled and shook his head and I knew why. Kalani thought it was all easy and that she would instantly catch up to us, she didn't know Aileen and I had spent months training to get to where we were now. She didn't know about how hard it was to access your powers and then control them properly after the transformation. 

"I, for one, think it would be fun. I have missed training every day like we did back in the cabin," Mason intervened, trying to lighten the mood.

Alex nodded her head and smiled as she said, "me too."

And then all eyes turned to Kalani. She was pursing her lips thoughtfully but didn't say anything.

"What do you suggest, Kalani?" Aileen's voice filled the room and I shivered at how she said Kalani's name, as if it were poison she wanted to get out of her mouth.

"I think we should finish all of our training before dinner. That way we can all relax and do something else. I don't think it will do anyone any good just to train all day. We would all be grumpy and tired all the time," she finally said.

"So what you're saying is that we should see combat training and our power training at the same time?" Aileen asked slowly and Kalani nodded her head but then shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe we could do one day one and another day the other," Kalani said more confidently now. 

Aileen stayed silent for a moment and then nodded her head. "Alright, I prefer that option rather than both at the same time, but let's all take a vote since we will all be training, shall we?" 

We all nodded our heads and Aileen quickly continued, "all of those in favor of training until dinner and then having some spare time after? Remember, as long as three agree, the vote passes."

Kalani was the first to raise her hand and she looked at Mason and Alex as if urging them to follow her. It was as if they were having an internal conversation of their own because as soon as Alex and Kalani broke eye contact, she raised her hand, and Mason seemed torn as to what to do. So before he had to make a decision, I raised my hand in favor. Mason seemed shocked but didn't say anything and Aileen nodded her head in agreement and clapped her hands together. 

"Alright then, it has been decided. We'll start tomorrow morning at 6:30. I will ask Noah today where we could take our run so we don't get lost tomorrow," she said and everyone nodded their heads. 

"What do we do now?" Kalani asked as everyone got to their feet. 

Aileen only shrugged and smiled, "whatever you want, you have the whole day to yourselves. if I were you I would take advantage and just relax. Starting tomorrow, all of your bodies are going to ache."

Kalani raised an eyebrow at her but didn't say anything as she turned towards me. She opened her mouth to say something but I quickly stopped her. "Hold that thought, I'll be right back. Let me just ask Aileen something," I said, before turning my back towards her and following Aileen who was already out the door.  

"Hey, wait up," I called once we were out in the hallway. Her back stiffened at the sound of my voice and she slowly turned around to face me, a neutral expression on her face.

"Is there something wrong, Andrew?" She asked, her voice softer now that we were alone. 

Shaking my head, I thought about what I should ask, my mind had gone blank as soon as her grey eyes had met mine. "I suddenly can't recall what I came out here to ask you," I admitted sheepishly as I ran a hand through my hair. Her eyes followed my every move and I thought I could see a longing look in her eyes.

But the look was gone as soon as it had come. 

She smiled and chuckled but turned away. "Don't worry, if you remember you can ask me later. I actually wanted to talk to you about something."

I raised an eyebrow and slowly nodded my head for her to continue. "Would you mind if you take over the theoric classes and I lead the combat training? We can always join forces when we train with our powers, but I was thinking we should split the other two since you're much better with all the facts and information and I'm better at combat."

I was taken aback by her request, it was the last thing I had expected but I couldn't help but chuckle. "I don't know if I should be offended or flattered," I teased and she blushed. "I think it's debatable whether or not you're better than me in combat training," I continued jokingly and Aileen rolled her eyes.

A small laugh escaped her lips and she gently pushed me. "We both know it's true."

I laughed and shook my head, "I will never admit it."

Aileen shook her head and smiled. The tension around us had quickly drifted away and it was just like old times when we were teasing each other and laughing genuinely. 

"Sure, I think that's a good idea," I said after a moment and her smile widened. 

"Thank you. Have you remembered what you were going to ask me?" She said, changing the subject. 

Shaking my head, I shrugged, "not a clue."

Aileen smiled and took a step back, "alright, but if you remember, you can always ask. I'll see you later, I'm going to go find Noah."

"Would you like some backup?" I asked, suddenly feeling insecure and tense. 

But Aileen shook her head and smiled. "I'll be alright. You should get back to the others before they kill themselves. I'll catch up later, okay?"

Nodding my head, I watched her walk away until she disappeared out of sight. Sighing, I turned back towards the dining room and when I walked inside, I was surprised to see Mason, Alex, and Kalani talking as if it were the most normal thing in the world. 

Slowly, I made my way towards them and their voices quieted down with every step I took. The three of them turned to me and opened up a space for me in their circle. 

"Hey, is everything alright?" Kalani asked and I nodded my head. 

"What were you talking about?" I asked slowly and a silence fell over them.

"Mason and I were just deciding on what to do with our free time. I think we have already explored all of the guest wing last night," Alex said as she grabbed her boyfriend's arm and smiled. 

Mason nodded his head and then shrugged, "we can always go outside. Take in some "fresh air"", he quoted and Alex laughed.

"Sure, let's go. Would you guys like to join us?" Alex asked as they began to walk towards the door. 

Kalani and I both shook our heads quickly. They deserved some alone time and it was always uncomfortable to be the third or fourth wheel. 

Both Mason and Alex nodded their heads and soon, Kalani and I were left alone. 

"You were gone a very short time, did you talk to Aileen?" Kalani asked curiously and I shook my head. 

"Yes and no. I talked to her last night, but right now I followed her to ask her something else. Do you still want to talk to her?" I asked and Kalani pursed her lips together as she thought about it.

After a couple of moments, she shook her head and smiled. "Nah, at least not anytime soon." And I thought I saw something flicker in her eyes but she quickly turned away. Curiosity got the best of me and I couldn't help but wonder what had made her change her mind after she had been so adamant the day before.