And maybe that’s what Bee saw on my face, because she made a clucking noise and reached out to briefly squeeze my hand. “You could use something that’s all yours. Although I have to admit, this is not exactly what I would’ve expected. But I guess it’s a good thing to learn? And it will look stellar on your college apps.”

After that, it had been no problem persuading Bee to help me keep this a secret from Ryan. She totally got why I’d be embarrassed if he found out, and she’d sworn to carry my secret to her grave.

What I hadn’t expected was for her to ask to tag along. All I’d wanted was to give her something slightly close to the truth so there would be at least one person kind of in on what was going on. But no excuse had rushed to my lips, and so now here I was, reporting for my first day of Paladin training with Bee Franklin at my side.

David was clearly biting his cheek, and his eyes were bright. “Right, yeah, my . . . my aunt teaches martial arts. To me and Harper. Which is why we’ve been hanging out a little more.”

Bee gave a delicate snort. “Seems like a dangerous thing, teaching the two of you how to kick ass. What if you end up murdering each other?”

David and I exchanged a glance. “Risk we’re willing to take,” he said at last. “Let me go get Aunt Saylor. She’s gonna need to, uh, be prepared for this.”

David went into the kitchen, and Bee glanced around. “Miss Saylor’s house looks exactly like I imagined.” I remembered thinking the same thing when I was here last. It seemed like an entire millennium had passed between that day and this one, so it was hard to believe it had been almost a month.

Saylor bustled out of the kitchen, hands clasped in front of her, all smiles, all business. “Miss Franklin! What a surprise.” That last bit was directed at me, but I gave her a little shrug. My way.

“So Harper has told you about our little secret,” she continued, waving us toward the French doors leading to the balcony.

“She did,” Bee said, her eyes taking in every nook and cranny of the house. “And to be honest, I think it’s great, Miss Saylor. A young lady today should be able to protect herself.”

Behind Saylor’s back, I stuck my tongue out at Bee and mouthed, Suck-up.

She gave a shameless grin and followed us out into the backyard.

I don’t know what I’d expected. Some yoga mats. Maybe a punching bag. And Saylor did have those things. But she also had three dummies set up on stands. Against one of them, there was a sword at least as long as my leg, and Bee stared at it, mouth agape.