Copper Ravens by Jennifer Allis Provost Read Free Book Online Page A

past few weeks, Micah had been offering me and Sadie instruction on how to better utilize our power over metal. He had also offered his services to Max, who had snorted and stomped out of the room. Nothing like being an ungrateful ass to the man who fed and housed you.
    Micah took my hands, examining my knuckles before carefully turning them over. “Have you ever used an edged weapon in the past?” he asked, grazing his thumbs over my palms.
    â€œNo,” I admitted, “but I’d like to learn.”
    â€œYou are able to halt any foe with your Elemental abilities.”
    â€œBut what if something happens, and I can’t use my awesome Elemental powers?” Micah began protesting, but I kept going, “What if I’m out somewhere, without you, without any silverkin to protect me? What if I’m captured and put in a place like Max was, and all that’s nearby is concrete and plastic? Then I’d be helpless.”
    Brows now deeply furrowed, Micah mulled this over. “I do not like that my consort may need to fight.”
    â€œNeither does your consort, but if I’m forced to defend myself, I’d at least like to know what I’m doing.” For a few heartbeats Micah just looked at me, and I thought I’d have to appeal to Max for help, or worse, to Shep. Then Micah sprang upward, leaping out of bed as he threw the blankets over my head.
    â€œYour first lesson is to never, ever drop your guard,” he said while I clawed my way to the surface. “Not even in our home, where I personally guarantee your safety. Always remember, love, that a foe’s best hiding place is in plain sight.” Undaunted, I climbed out of bed and affected my best fighter’s stance. Okay, it was a yoga pose, but whatever. I was learning. Amused, Micah dropped into a stance that looked slightly more effective, and we began circling each other.
    â€œGot it. What’s my next lesson?” I’d asked a perfectly reasonable question, and wouldn’t you know it, that elf responded by throwing a silver teacup at my head. Arms flailing, I knocked it away just as Micah tackled me. We landed on the bed in a heap of limbs, the teacup lodged under my back.
    â€œThat anything— everything —is a weapon,” he answered. “Never think you are helpless, my Sara. Always use your surroundings to your advantage.”
    â€œWhat if there’s no tea service nearby?” I yanked the teacup free and tossed it behind my head. “Will a plate do?”
    â€œCertainly,” he murmured. “You have passed your second lesson,” he said, nuzzling my neck. I laughed, as much from the absurdly simple lessons as his ticklish breath.
    â€œDid I pass the first one, too?”
    â€œYou did,” he murmured.
    â€œSo, when do I get a sword?” Okay, I hadn’t meant that as a joke, but from Micah’s laughter you’d have thought I was the headline act on a comedy tour.
    â€œLove, one does not begin with a sword,” he said once he’d calmed himself. “One begins with simple hand-to-hand techniques.”
    â€œYou just showed me hand-to-hand,” I pointed out.
    â€œNo, I put a blanket over your head, then I threw a teacup at you,” he corrected. “You do not know how to disarm another, or how to incapacitate an attacker.”
    â€œThen teach me.”
    â€œVery well.” He sat up, and I followed suit. “Hit me.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œAssume that I am an attacker. Hit me.” I moved to whack him with the back of my hand, and I would have if Micah hadn’t snatched my wrist from midair. “Sara, assume your life is in danger. At least make a fist.”
    â€œI—I don’t want to hurt you.”
    â€œYou won’t.” I don’t know if it was his smug words or his even smuggier grin, but one or the other or both got my dander up. I clenched my fist and swung at Micah with all my