Evangeline studied Finn''s calm expression, but she could sense an undercurrent of displeasure, and it seemed to be connected to Soren. He had brought him up earlier during dinner, too, though she hadn''t paid it much mind at the time. Now it seemed suspicious.


    Still, she didn''t ask. She just nodded. "It''s not ''even if it''s him.'' He''s one of the people I need to be able to defend myself against."


    She thought back to the times Soren had cornered her, how powerless she had felt. The first time, a security guard had intervened. The second, Soren''s sudden illness had given her a chance to escape. Both times, he hadn''t been trying his hardest. If he had been serious, she wouldn''t have stood a chance. She knew he wouldn''t bother her again, but the memory was still terrifying. Beingpletely helpless before an opponent was no different from being a fish on a cutting board.


    Her answer seemed to satisfy him. A smile touched his lips. "Alright. I''ll teach you."


    He took her hand, showing her how to make a proper fist, where to aim her punches. "The weak points are the temples, behind the ears, the bridge of the nose, the jaw, and the ribs. When you fight, you aim for those spots. The key is to be steady, precise, and brutal." He paused. "But you don''t have the strength for a direct confrontation. If you have to, you can fight dirty. Create a diversion, then strike where they''re vulnerable. Like this... imagine I''m your opponent."


    He walked her through attack and defense strategies, and how to escape in a critical situation. After a short while, Evangeline was sweating, but Finn hadn''t even broken a sweat, his breathing steady. He was apletely different person from the yful man she thought she knew. For a moment, she found herself wondering what kind of life could shape someone like him.


    As her mind wandered, his fist shot toward her face with blinding speed. She gasped and stumbled backward, tripping over her own feet and falling.


    A strong arm caught her around the waist, pulling her back up.


    "And now you''re on the ground," Finn said, his gentle demeanor returning. He sighed. "You knew I was a stronger opponent, yet you let your mind wander?"


    Evangeline bit her lip. "I wasn''t paying attention."


    "No," he corrected her softly. "It''s because you don''t believe I would actually hurt you. Evangeline, I''m d you trust me, but that trust could be your fatal w. You had several chances tond a real hit on me just now, but you held back. When you hesitate, you lose your opportunity. Your opponent will notice your weakness and adapt. Your margin for error shrinks, and their chances of winning grow."


    He reached out and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead. "That''s enough for today. Go home and get some rest."


    She was a fast learner and had done better than he expected. But in the end, it didn''t matter if she mastered it or not. He would always be there to protect her.


    Evangeline didn''t know what he was thinking. She was too busy mulling over his words. He was right But the fact that he was telling her albthis... did that mean he trusted her, too?


    She pondered the question all the way back to the house she was sharing. When she walked into the living room, she found her two housemates, Linda and Tabitha, one


    cleaning and the other mithi


    "Evangeline, you seem different tonight," Linda said.