"I will not ... pig out. And you will not... see me throw up my morning meal. You're a total jerk, douchebag, cabron! You get me?! Be nice to me, or I shall kick yo' ass." Not sure what got into me. However, badmouthing and not curving my temper relaxed highjacked nerves, somehow.

"Are you done with this lame attempt at bravado?! Because, my 'charming' lady, you're acting funny. Cute even!" 

The booming laugh that escaped Zarek's lips accomplished one thing. He pissed me off. Like two aging siblings bantering over who's 'the most badass of them all.'

But then again, I don't even remember if I had any brothers or sisters.

In a moment of weakness, the idea plagued my thoughts. While I hesitated, Zarek seized the chance to conjure up a quick-witted comeback. "Your puppy eyes are even more adorable when stunned."

"Oh, callate pendejo! My point is..."

"Your point is moot if you're weak during training. And I'd rather you train than barfing all around." Zarek came near me and reached out to tousle my hair. "I don't know why, but you intrigue me for some reason. Whenever I'm around you, I can't help but sense an undeniable bond with you—almost like a pesky little sister I never wanted to have."

This time, I let out a hearty chuckle. "Well! I didn't sign up to be your little sister, but I'm glad I found you." 

Zarek smiled, understanding gleaming in his eyes as he offered his hand. When I tried to stand, my head spun as lightheadedness infested my consciousness. Sleeping on a hard mattress worsened my sluggish state, causing my muscles to protest my lousy sleep.

The demon reached out to help me settle my woozy body as my attempts to stand crumbled. My head hurt. However, the throbbing became a passing irritation rather than a constant pain. Despite enjoying a relaxing bath and getting much-needed rest, my beaten body refused to move this early in the day.

"Are you alright? Let me know if you need more rest. You had it rough. I don't want you to push yourself." The male tone suggested his concern for my well-being surpassed anything we needed to do for the day.

I used his imposing frame to help me steady myself. "I'm fine! We need to deal with that wraith. I can't slack off just because I feel tired."

"You got hurt twice, so I will not hold it against you if you want to rest. But... I will not stop you if that's what you desire." His voice echoed through the room and my understanding as he led me to the far corner. The cooking area, prioritized for functionality over aesthetics, was straightforward and unadorned. The place was too warm for my liking but comfortable to a degree. 

I plopped my butt beside the fire onto the floor while the man moved gracefully, finishing our breakfast. I grabbed the offering bowl and finished its contents in no time. The food was neither good nor bad—only passable. "Sorry if the gruel is not great, but it's what we got."

"No worries! I'm grateful it's filling my 'belly.' Besides, I can't complain. This meal is more than I had before, to be honest." I patted my belly as I stretched my tired muscles. Zarek flashed a handsome smile in understanding before digging into his meal. "How long can we stay here?" I hoped to gain more insight into our current situation and the risks before us.

"Well, let me think?!" Zarek said. "We can hide for months, even a year, if well stocked, but I have been using the place recently, so stocks are running low. Therefore, we only have a few weeks." 

A strange unease settled in me, so I followed my gut and inquired further. "Why have you been using the place lately?" 

"Kayla, you sure are one curious woman." He said, sizing me from top to bottom. "But... I'll tell you. There are a lot of un-raided dungeons around these parts. They are high-class zones offering glorious rewards and riches. I was preparing the place for the raiding party I planned to form. That's until..." 

"Until you got caught?" With no warning, the question exploded out of my mouth, my smarmy rebuke poised to hurt for no reason.

"Yeah!" Zarek dragged out his reply, shaking his head. "Falling asleep out in the open was a pretty foolish decision on my part. But exhaustion got the best of me. Fuck, I thought I was safe to take a snooze. But... next thing, Lord Vrax's minions kicked me awake. Those bastards!" He spat on the ground as disgust made his markings pulsate in different colors. "Your arrival meant my escape. Thus, I was glad you showed."

Worried lodged in my chest as the consequences of my actions settled to take residence in my mind. "Wouldn't they know we killed their friend?" 

"Nah! Those jerks would think we got eaten by monsters."

Putting my bowl to the side, I pinned my companion with a curious gaze. "They don't care about their own?"

"That's right!" Zarek confirmed as he reached for my dirty bowl. "Anyhow, I was stocking the place before those jerks dragged me to do their bidding. I swear I need to do something about my sleeping habits," he mumbled as he dumped the meager scraps into the fire.

With curiosity piqued, I shifted the conversation. "Why do you need to change your sleeping habits?" Although sounding condescending, my genuine interest fueled my desire for an answer.

"I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I can fall asleep like that!." Zarek snapped his fingers as his eyes gained a comical shine to them. "That's how those bastards snuck up to me while completely out of my wits."

"It can happen to anyone."

"Rogues must always stay alert of their surroundings. I swear a monster will come and have me for dinner one of these nights."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Then, I promise I'll practice hard, then."

"That's what I like to hear, but... it's not funny to have this weakness. It's like the world is dead to me when I sleep."

I collected all my energy and moved to help to clean the area. 

Before long, we organized the living area. I followed Zarek as he walked around the cavern. The place had its charms. Considering the location, Zarek and Pascal built a secure place that offered some luxuries and comforts. 

"How do you keep this place safe?"

"The barrier I set earlier. It prevents anything from coming in unless allowed. So, to ease your worries, the wraith cannot come in unless I let it." Zarek's voice echoed through the room as he headed for the room's entrance. "I hope you're ready for your training. I'm not going easy on you."

Like a lost puppy, I trailed behind him in his massive hideout. I wished to soak up every ounce of training and be able to defend myself. My hopes soared as we crossed the ample, yet stuffy, training area.

The nearby lava stream provided plenty of lighting but at the expense of feverish heat. I dove into a heated haze, watching the slow ebb and flow of the melted rock. A sudden whisper charmed me into following it down a dark and unknown path. I took a step, then another, but stopped. A breath of steam escaping its fiery trap snapped me back into reality.

"Here, take this wooden stick as a practice sword." Zarek's words distracted me away from my daydreaming as he moved closer.

I studied the long stick he thrust at me and admired its smooth, carved surface. "Did you train Pascal here?" I asked, curious to learn about Zarek's lover. 

"I did. Pascal was clumsy as a warrior. Hence, I switched all the training weapons to wood. I didn't want him to lose a limb while practicing."

"Well! I don't want to lose a limb, but I hate getting bruised." The complaint burst free from my lips as I stared back at Zarek.

"Well, those will be unavoidable. Besides, you came to the wrong place if you're this delicate. Now, let's start your training." Zarek moved behind me and held my arms. "You need to mind your stance. The wider your feet, the more stability you have. Now, ground yourself, but be loose. So, don't lock your joints, or you'll get hurt."

I followed Zarek's lead and planted my feet on the ground. My heart pumped like a wild horse roaming the valleys of the Rockies. Little electric shocks shot through my arms as I adjusted my grip, loving the powerful sensation. A smile spread across my lips as anticipation swelled my chest. The sensual appeal of power left me craving more, unable to resist its pull.

"Now, squat with the training sword right in front of you. Stay in this position until I say you're done."

"How long would that be? When should I attack?" I asked, licking my lips—ready to attack.

"Not sure! I haven't decided."

"WHAT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

"No, I'm not. You need endurance, and one way to build it fast is by holding your position, ready to attack."

"What if I get tired?"

"Then you must keep your stance."

"What if I need to pee?"

"Do you need to pee?" Zarek asked with a condescending smirk.

"No, but I can have the urge later." 

"Then you'll have to hold it." Zarek's serious gaze pinned me to the ground. "When you're in a fight, the last thing you should think about is relieving yourself."