Excerpt

The full-length mirror in the women's changing rooms calls to me. I pad over, barefoot and clad in a tight-fitting black tank top and leggings. I'm glad I thought to bring them with me, I'd hate to be sparring in jeans.

Once in front of it, I summon my wings and watch as they spring forth from my back. They're too big to be fully captured in my reflection, but that doesn't matter. I only want to check them to make sure there aren't any damaged feathers. I did it this morning too, but I don't want to take any chances with first impressions. If Elias sees my wings in disarray, maybe he'll think I'm not serious about this.

I pull my wings back in, hiding them for now. I'm not sure if we're going to be sparring in our human forms or our harpy ones. It doesn't matter to me either way. I've made sure I'm proficient in both. I know a lot of supernaturals rely on their additional powers, but I think that's an easy way to be caught off guard. What happens if I'm cornered and don't have enough space for my wings? They're easy to control and I can move them around, but that doesn't mean they can't break. The one experience I had with a broken wing when I was twelve was enough to put me off for the rest of my life. I never want to go through something that uncomfortable ever again.

I stretch myself out a little more, warming my muscles and readying myself for the fight ahead. I know I won't have an opportunity to prepare if I'm caught out in the field, but I'm not willing to take any chances when I know in advance what I'm going to be doing.

A knock sounds on the door, pulling me away from my warm-up.

"Are you ready?" Elias calls through, sounding as excited as I am by the prospect.

I hurry over and pull it open. "Definitely."

He leads me into a room full of mats. The ceiling towers above us and must span for most of the building.

"It's so those of us who can fly can practice manoeuvres," Elias supplies.

"Thoughtful of them."

"There's a deep pool for the water dwellers too, but I didn't think you'd want to spar there."

I grimace at the thought of damp feathers. The shower isn't too bad, but anything where they become waterlogged is a definite no-no. Clothing is bad enough when it comes to it, but wings were a nightmare. Not only would they drag me down, but getting the chlorine out of them was next to impossible. Flying after that only led to being subjected to the stench every time I flapped them.

Elias chuckles. "My thoughts exactly."

I turn to him and place my hands on my hips. "How are we doing this?"

He runs his gaze up and down me, and I swear I can see a hint of appreciation in his eyes. I'm not surprised, I know I look good from the years of training I've done. I haven't taken any chances when it comes to getting into the Agency.

"I thought we'd start simple. Hand-to-hand combat, no shifting. And then we can assess the rest," he suggests.

"Sounds good to me." I crack my neck again, raring to go. I'm sure we have plenty of casework to do, and I'm eager to get on with it, but I'm looking forward to seeing what my new partner is made of. Maybe even more than he is to see how I manage.

"Let me know when you're ready," he says.

I don't. Instead, I lurch forward and swipe at his head.

Elias isn't fooled, and easily raises an arm to block me. We go back and forth a few times, trying to get a feel for one another's fighting style. He's easily a match for me, probably a better fighter overall, but not by too much. I feel like if I'm smart and fast, I can beat him. Maybe.

But if I want to win, then I'm going to have to take him by surprise. And there's a way I can do that so long as he isn't planning on the same.

I spy a beam up above and make the split-second decision to jump up. It won't buy me long, clearly, Elias is perceptive with quick reflexes. He'll be on to me in seconds.

My wings erupt from my back and my feet transform into talons. I dig them into the soft wood of the beam, using them for balance. I count to ten, then leap off towards where Elias is standing.

To both my disappointment and my delight, he's already caught onto my plan, his wings spread around him as he jumps up to meet me, knocking me out of the air. We start to fall. I retract my wings as I prepare to land on my back, not wanting to take any risks of damaging them.

We roll, each ending up on top for a few moments, only for the other to gain an advantage.

I almost manage to get to my feet, only for Elias to sweep his leg out and knock me off them. He pins my arms down, his legs straddling me so I can't kick out.

A wide grin stretches over his face. "I think I win."

"This time," I respond. I'll beat him next time. Or maybe the one after that. Getting to know him will reveal how he thinks and what his go-to moves are. Once I've sorted those out, I'll be able to make a plan to beat him in a sparring match.

Elias climbs to his feet and holds out his hand.

I take it, not seeing any harm in letting him help me up.

"I'm impressed. Most new recruits wouldn't have lasted half the time you did."

"Maybe they just aren't as good as me?" I suggest.

"Or you're lucky."

"I guess you'll find out next time we do this," I respond with a wink.

"But next time, you need to stick to the rules. You can't go breaking them while we're out in the field. That's how people end up injured."

My cheeks flush. I'd only been thinking about how to beat him, not about the fact he'd been trying to assess me and that this is part of the first impression I'm making on him.

"I'm sorry."

He shrugs. "Don't be. I made the same mistake when I first started out."

That's oddly reassuring. Not just that he made the mistake, but that he secretly wants to show off too.

"Right, why don't you shower off and meet me back in the office. We've spent enough time down here and have a case to prepare for."

"Sorry, I shouldn't have taken us away from that."

He waves my concern away. "Don't worry about it. The case is routine and we can't take any action on it until this evening anyway..."

I perk up. "We're going on a mission straight away?"

"I wouldn't call it a mission. It's a routine pick up, nothing exciting and should be smooth running. the higher-ups don't want to put too much excitement on you just yet."

"It doesn't matter. Routine or not, I'm just glad I get a chance straight away." I don't know why I'm admitting that to him.

"Then let's get to it."