CHAPTER 38

It had been four months since Maxine first came to her grandmother's house, and the peaceful village was second skin now. But peace isn't exactly what she came for. It had been four months of grueling training, of testing her limits-physically and emotionally. Now, with Adam, the final stage of her training had gotten underway.

The sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm glow over the open field where Maxine and Adam stood. The grass beneath their feet was worn down from the months of the once virgin meadow now littered with the scars of their battles. Maxine panted hard, her breathing heavy, but flashing in her eyes was the fierce determination.

Her hair cascaded down her back to past her waist now and shimmered with a mixture of sweat and sunlight as she leaped toward Adam, aiming a sharp, calculated punch at his side.

"Ahh!" Maxine let out a battle cry as she put every ounce of frustration and energy into the attack.

Adam easily dodged, his lips curling into a small chuckle as