This Man and Woman by Ivie Jackie

Author:Ivie, Jackie [Ivie, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: duels, paranormal romance, cavalier, vampire romance, vampire assassin league, ninja, novella, short story
Published: 2012-03-22T13:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Wait!”

Jean-Pierre lowered his sword, her raised finger as well as the command halting him. He watched with narrowing eyes as she released a catch on her bracelet, flicked something to bring out a razor-sharp blade, and then started hacking at the front of her skirt with her free hand. Her antics revealed perfectly formed limbs, and something more. He got a quick glimpse of a knife strapped to one creamy thigh with a black garter, while the same color lace shielded any view up higher. It was nearly too much. His frame trembled, making the sword in his hand vibrate.

He immediately knew why she didn’t use her little knife. She was keeping it hidden for use later, letting him think the bracelet her lone protection. He was more concerned over the wooden pick still sticking above an ear. That had potential for incapacitation. Anything else was an annoyance, at best.

She finished the alteration of her gown, refastened her jewelry, and then worked at settling the dress back into place, molding it again all along her frame, highlighting curves he’d already felt against him, while the uneven hem, now just above the knees, revealed well-formed legs and ankles, ending in little, heelless, black shoes.

Merde, but she was good!

With nothing more than a blade, she fractured his concentration and bit into his stability. Incredible. And disquieting.

Steady, Jean-Pierre. Steady.

He’d already counseled himself to take great care with this duel. Any aggression on his part was bound to kill or permanently scar. That’s why he’d purposely kept the tip on his rapier. He’d rather go to his grave than cause one bit of damage to her perfect woman body.

“Now…what is it you say? En garde?”

She may be ready. He might never be. He watched as she bent her knees slightly, putting the hacked piece of material between her thighs, before leaning back, lifting her sword before her. Her stance put even more of her on display, and in a more alarming position. His hand shook too much to raise the blade. So, to disguise it, he started talking, using words of instruction - not to teach, but to temper and calm.

“You ever fence with an epee before?” he asked.

“I’m no beginner,” she replied, slashing at the air in the same movements she’d use if she held her Samurai sword.

“It’s not the same as your katana.”

“It’s a sword. It’s capable of killing. What else is there?”

“A Samurai sword has a distinctive curve to it, created during the quenching process. They have the sharpest edge known to mankind. Made of polished, high-carbon steel, it’s extremely dangerous…on one side. Capable of slicing right through any number of things with one stroke. Such a stroke is delivered with a hacking, slashing motion, usually downward, requiring both hands.” He demonstrated with his rapier, doing his best to move slowly. Otherwise it would be a blur.

Her blade lowered a fraction.

“An epee, such as the one you hold, is light and flexible, meant to be a one-handed weapon. It’s sharp on every edge.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.