Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 53

Maximus lost his spark in an instant. He had never beaten Elliot before. "Danielle, let’s forget about it," he said dejectedly.

At Shadow Fortress, their training regimen included hand-to-hand combat and shooting, and they often sparred with one another to hone their skills. Seeing the disappointment in Maximus’s eyes, Danielle figured there was no harm in a little practice session.

"Maximus, I don’t mind sparring with you," Danielle said without hesitation.

"Danielle, let’s not do this," Elliot protested. ’If she gets so much as a scratch under my watch, Mom and Dad would skin me alive, he thought.

"Elliot, do you not believe in me?" Danielle asked, her voice as calm as ever.

that?’ Elliot thought. It would wound her pride if he said he didn’t trust her. But if he claimed he did, it might set her up for

there

the sparring area on the training grounds. In the center stood Danielle and Maximus. At 6 foot

the onlookers doubted Danielle stood a chance. After all, Maximus was second only to Elliot

win?" Justin

combat skills are top-notch, but Danielle’s marksmanship

placing their bets on Maximus. They knew

one would doubt Danielle’s victory if this were at the border. She was known as the Witch of the Frontier, a force to

the voices around her, but she paid no mind to them. To her, a sparring session was a test of skill, and giving her all was the