Anxious to help her brother, fearful of what exactly Jonny had planned for her, Ashley didn't object again and lowered herself into a fighting stance.
"First round will be easy," Charles said.
He didn't attack her. This much she sensed. He kept a hold of her chain, though, to limit her movement while three other vamps attacked. Ashley managed to fight them off despite her restriction.
The second round, however, was a disaster. Charles intermittently yanked her off her feet mid-fight, and she ended up bruised and battered by the time the round was over.
He let he catch her breath without taking off the mask. "Do you see the point I'm trying to make, Natural?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied. "I'm not flexible enough."
"You aren't adaptable enough."
She rolled her eyes behind the blindfold. "Whatever. I know I can fight if I have the chance."
"And if you don't?"
Ashley growled, not liking where he was going with his lessons. "Fine. What's next?"
"Round three."
If ever she suspected she'd meet her match, it wouldn't have been with a vamp who didn't lift one finger to fight her. Round three was crushing, a combination of sheer number of attackers, Charles knocking her off her feet, and the occasional Taser.
By the end, she stayed down for the first time in her life, too exhausted and rattled by bolts of hot electricity to move. Ashley pushed off the blindfold to stare at the swaying trees above, struggling to catch her breath.
Charles crouched beside her. She didn't bother trying to attack him this time.
"Jonny is the opposite of you. He's cautious and fights smart. He doesn't have great skill or talent, and he'll kick your ass every time."
"Is this supposed to be a pep talk?" she retorted.
"It's a warning. Xander taught you to use your instincts. You need to add to that some thought and strategy if you want to survive the vamps Valon has under him. They're ruthless and have nothing to lose."
Ashley pushed herself into a sit. "What're you going to tell Jonny?"
"That you need training wheels."
"Omigod!"
"If you fuck up the first time, you won't be going back out."
"So I can go."
"For now."
Ashley almost sighed in relief. Nothing sounded worse than being left behind when she had a chance to help her brother.
"Part two," Charles said and stood. "You need to learn to fight with our vamps."
She lifted her eyebrows. "Now?"
"Tired?"
She nodded.
"You ever watch the Dog Whisperer?"
She shook her head.
"The host always says the best time to train a dog is when he's tired."