My stomach twisted into knots. “Do…you want me to stop being his friend?” I whispered.

“No, no, l’vitsa,” she said with a shake of her head. “I would never try to stop your friendship. That would only hurt him. I love you as my own. But I can’t let you go on as you have. You need to know how to protect yourself.”

“Oh.” I let out a relieved breath. “Well, I do know a little. Aunt Raven and Mom have taught me a few things. I can shoot a gun, but I’m not all that good at it yet. And I know how to get out of a few holds.”

“Those are great things to know, but what I have in mind is a little more…in-depth.” She released my hand and sat back in her chair. Picking up her coffee, she took a slow sip before setting it down and turning the full force of her blue eyes on me. “When I was about your age, I was accepted into a special school. I learned things. Skills. It took me years to perfect them, but I don’t have years to teach them to you. I only have this week to start your training.”

A shiver traveled down my spine, but I stiffened it, sitting up straighter and giving her my full attention. “I will do whatever you need me to, Anya. Whatever will keep Ryan happy and safe.”

“It won’t be easy,” she warned. “And you can’t tell anyone about it. Not your parents, and especially not Ryan. If he knew… He might hate me for teaching you these things, Nova.”

“He could never hate you,” I assured her. “He loves you too much.”

“I know he loves me, but what he feels for you eclipses his emotions for anyone else, including me.” She took another drink of her coffee. “Promise me, right now, on your friendship with my son. Promise me you will never speak a word of what happens on these trips.”

I gulped. I’d never kept a secret from Ryan before. From others, sure, plenty of times, but I’d always told Ryan everything. But the gravity of the situation wasn’t lost on me. Anya was actually terrified of what would happen if he found out what she was going to teach me.

I knew how much his relationship with his mom meant to him, and vice versa. She was the adult he trusted the most. She was his safe place, just as he was mine.

“I promise, Anya,” I told her, my voice never wavering. “On my friendship with Ryan, I promise that I won’t speak a word of what happens on our trips. Ever. This is our secret.”

10

Nova

Ryan Age 18 : Nova Age 13

The dull ache in my arm wasn’t enough of a distraction as the front door opened and my brother stumbled in. The smell of weed and booze on him was enough to alert the entire house that he was home, but there was no need, not when our father was standing there waiting.