Shaxai!

Sabrina’s expression told her everything she needed to know. The young woman was going to ask her to do something she wouldn’t like, not at all. Sophie braced herself for the request.

“Sophie, you’re our best archer,” Sabrina said without preamble.

The P1 leader raised an eyebrow in surprise. Was that a question or a statement?

“Lupita is the best archer,” Sophie said in a calm voice.

“Well, she isn’t here,” Sabrina snapped back.

Sophie raised another eyebrow. It was the first time she had heard the young woman say anything that could be construed as negative about their former mentor. Lupita had left them months ago to study at the Xair Space Academy and wouldn’t be back for some time. Why would Sabrina need an archer? All Tiger Squad members were well-trained in archery. Lupita had made sure of that.

Glancing furtively over her shoulder, Sabrina leaned forward. “I have a favor to ask.”

Sophie’s throat went dry immediately. Here it comes! She fell silent, suddenly unable to speak.

“I want to become as good as Lupita,” the young woman declared in a firm voice.

Everyone knew that. From a young age, Sabrina had followed Lupita around as much as she could, trying to learn everything she could from her mentor. And she had learned, to the point of being reckless.

Sophie nodded, her mind frantically trying to anticipate where the conversation was headed.

“Lupita often told us how Lara trained her. I want you to be my Lara,” Sabrina said in a low voice.

Sophie’s eyes widened in horror. Shaxai! She can’t be serious! Lara had shot arrows at Lupita’s face every day until her daughter learned to catch the shaft mid-flight with her bare hands.

“Nobody can replace Lara. None of us has ever seen her in action. We have no idea what she is capable of,” Sophie said, trying to deny the young woman’s request without offending her.

Sabrina dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “No need. I know exactly how Lara did it. I questioned Lupita many times about it.”

Sophie bit her lip, searching for a way out of her predicament. Of course, Sabrina knew! She had questioned Lupita repeatedly over the seven years they were stranded on the Kamar moon. At night, around a campfire, Lupita had spoken at length, eager to share her knowledge. In truth, Sophie knew damned well how Lara had trained her only daughter, and the approach terrified her.

“You’re already a good archer. I’m only better because I don’t try to master the boomerang like you do,” Sophie said.

The young woman planted her fists on her hips and glared at her. Both women stared at each other in a contest of will.

Shaxai! If I don’t do it, she’ll ask Sven, and the poor man won’t be able to say no to her.

Letting out a deep sigh, Sophie nodded imperceptibly. If one of them were going to teach Sabrina to catch arrows mid-flight, it’d better be her. She was by far the squad’s best archer. If Sven were to injure or kill Sabrina in a training accident, he would never forgive himself. The squad needed their leader and couldn’t afford to lose him, especially if Sabrina were to die in an accident.

“Let’s practice every night when everyone is asleep,” Sabrina whispered.

That was crazy! It would be hard enough to catch an arrow in full daylight. They couldn’t begin training at night.

“No!” Sophie said firmly. “We’ll do it my way, or you won’t do it at all. The training will take place at dawn, with Keren ready to provide first aid if needed.”

The young woman shook her head. “You cannot involve Keren; she’ll tell Sven what we’re up to.”

Exactly! Sophie thought with satisfaction. Only Sven had enough authority to convince Sabrina to drop her reckless impulses.

Sabrina threw her arms in the air. “Very well! We’ll start tomorrow morning.”

Very well! Sophie swallowed hard. Her plan had failed. She had been sure that simply mentioning Sven would be enough to deter the young woman. That could only mean one thing: Sabrina had already asked Sven to train her, and he had either turned her down or, worse, told her that Sophie was better qualified for the task.

What was she going to do? She was no Lara. She couldn’t shoot arrows at Sabrina’s face! Or could she?