Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Wrong!” Tarina informed her. “You need to train with the actual
weapons you’ll be using in battle, since the weight and motion will be
different. Don’t worry—my suit will protect me.”
Sophie found that very hard to believe, particularly since: “It doesn’t
cover your head.”
“Yes, that’s the one mark we won’t be practicing,” Tarina agreed,
“for obvious reasons. I’ve gone for variety instead, targets in slightly
less fatal locations that shouldn’t be your first choice in a battle. But
once I help you master how to aim, you’ll be able to hit between the
eyes without needing to practice that specifically.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Sophie argued. “I meant . . . what if I
miss?”
Tarina flashed all of her long white teeth. “I trust you.”
“You shouldn’t!”
Tarina laughed. “Yes, I should. I’m aware that there are risks. I’m
also aware of your talent—and your commitment to keeping everyone
safe. It’s why you’ll make a perfect ally someday.”
She said the last part in her chirpy language, so only Sophie could
understand.
Sophie replied back the same way. “Making me hurt you isn’t going
to convince me to form an alliance—it’s going to make me think
you’re insane.”
“You won’t hurt me, Sophie. You couldn’t even if you wanted to.
And this isn’t about the alliance. It’s my job as your bodyguard—and
your trainer—to prepare you for battle to the best of my ability. And
this is the best of my ability. You’ll see how well it works if you trust
me.”