Moving Objects

Chapter 18

I looked back to Pavel and he seemed to have no expression on the matter, but I had to be sure. "Are you comfortable doing this? I don't want to end up hurting you."

"Don't worry. Your father uses me for practice all the time," Pavel joked stepping forward and patting my back. I sighed and looked to Dad again. "You'll be able to stop me if something happens?"

"I promise I will intervene if necessary."

I rolled my shoulders and moved into a position to start sparring, Pavel following suit. He wasn't as tall as Dimitri, but he was easily just as strong. Not to mention he had years of experience on both of us. We circled each other and waited for the other to go first. I made the first move, a slight fake to see what his reaction would be. He realized it was a fake quickly and countered it, punching my unprotected shoulder hard. I gritted my teeth as he hit the perfect spot in the joint, but continued on. It was a game of trial and error, each of us making a move on the other, making impact and missing the next hit. I managed to get a good hit on his solar plex, but it was like I barely touched him.

Damn, Pavel was fit for his age.

It didn't take long for him to figure out my tells and fighting style. All it took was him to use my momentum against me and pin me down on my stomach, arms clasped behind my back. It was too similar to what happened with Howes and I panicked. It was like I forgotten where I was and who I was with, but the only thing I could think about was getting him off of me. Beneath me wasn't grass now, but stained wood and I closed my eyes. It was almost like I was back there, pressed against the floor.

Get off, get off, get off!

I could feel the wave building inside me and I felt relief when the wave crashed against the proverbial shore, knocking Pavel off of me effectively. I rolled onto my back and sat up to find Pavel across the clearing laying on his stomach. Dad was already by his side, carefully rolling him onto his back.

Crap!

I hopped up and ran over, crouching beside Pavel as he winced.

"Are you ok?!" I blurted out, feeling guilty already. Pavel took a slow breath before nodding his head, sitting up slowly.

"That...was perfect, kid!" he slowly got out. He sounded slightly winded. I sighed in relief and sat back on my heels, wiping my face again.

"I didn't hurt you?"

Pavel shook his head with a small grin, "No. But you knocked the wind out of me. You knocked me back pretty far too. I'm sorry I put you in that position, but I figured it would put you into flight or fight mode."

Dad was watching me out of the corner of his eye, looking for any residual fear or panic. I closed my eyes and slowed my breathing while Pavel carefully stretched his joints, hissing once as he stretched his dominant arm. My eyes snapped open and he gave me a calming look.

"I landed roughly on this shoulder, but don't worry yourself. This shoulder protests if I lift a coffee cup too quickly."

I snickered quietly to myself at the mental image, but it did make me feel a little bit better.

I looked at my watch and groaned. It was time to meet Lissa in the gym. I pulled myself to my feet and helped Pavel up. "I have to go. But thank you for helping. I appreciate it."

Pavel smirked and nodded his head. "Thank you for the spring match. It's been a while since someone made me work for the fight. You did fantastic."

I smirked and rolled my shoulders a few times, stretching my muscles. "Dad? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Kiz."