The first hold was the one where Eli was grabbed from behind. Matthew didn’t do the whole grabbing part, but he did place an arm securely across the top of Eli’s chest.

“If the hold is light like this try to drop your weight.”

Eli did, and ended up free easily enough. He looked at Matthew in surprise. Matthew held out his hand, and they went into the same position. “Okay, try again.”

Eli did, but the arm on his chest merely slipped up, so that it was tucked tightly under Eli’s chin and against his throat. “If you don’t manage to get away by dropping your weight, this is the most likely position you’ll end up. What you don’t want is for your attacker to suffocate you, so the first thing you do is grab their arm.”

Eli put his hands where Matthew had already shown them.

There was a bright flash in the corner of his eye, and the sound of a camera going off. Eli tensed, eyes flashing toward the bench. “Noah.” He growled.

“It’s for educational purposes,” Noah replied.

“Don’t you dare send that to anyone.”

Especially not Kaylen, because if it went from Kaylen to Cameron—

“Cameron will probably like it.”

“Noah—”

The arm on his throat tightened, drawing Eli’s attention back. “And now,” Matthew said. “Your chance of escape is gone. Next, you stomp your heel into your attackers’ foot. There are over a dozen thin bones—”

“Noah don’t—”

“Pay attention.” The arm on his throat tightened more, and Eli’s temper flared.

“Let go.”

“An attacker isn’t going to let go simply because you asked.”

“You said you’d release me if I did.”

“If you were afraid, which you clearly aren’t. Focus on the lesson. You’ve been attacked in the past, knowing what to do about it will give you peace of mind, if not give you the skills you need to save your own life.”

“I wasn’t grabbed before.” Eli felt claustrophobic about the arm holding him still. Matthew had turned him so he couldn’t see Noah anymore, but he saw Jenny across the hall in a similar hold to him. Both her and dad looked completely invested in the lesson, neither were looking in this direction. “I was punched until I couldn’t move and tied up with a belt. Digging my heel into his foot wouldn’t have done anything more than piss him off.”

“In retrospect, do you think there’s anything you could have done to get away from him?”

“No.”

“Exactly why I’m here, to teach you that there are ways of fighting back.”

“He was five times the size of me.”

“Eli,” Matthew said low and serious. “Look at your dad and Mr Green, or even Noah. They’re not bodybuilders, but they are tall and have a bit of weight to them. If someone were to grab them there’s a possibility that they’ll be able to overpower their attacker, no heel stomps necessary. But you and Jenny are small, so you need something other than power at your disposal. These lessons are for the two of you.”

Eli was silent. When that rogue came into his room, in that moment and even after, it was clear to Eli there was nothing he could have done to fight him off. Eli, versus a supernatural creature with supernatural strength? Noah could kick his ass if he wanted, never mind the rogue.

“I can tell you don’t believe it’s possible, and yes, in certain situations it might not be, but you’re going to be prepared for a hundred other situations where it may be.” Matthew said. “Now, as I was saying, the top of the foot has over two dozen thin bones. Stomp hard enough, and you may break one or a few, and debilitate your attacker. Go ahead and stomp.”

Eli had no objections following that instruction.

After, Jenny suggested they all go to Wendy’s for a treat. Eli watched in confusion as she gave her car keys to Matthew and said she’d ‘see him later’. Eli climbed into the back of Noah’s jeep, who looked as perplexed as Eli when both dad and Jenny got in.

“Car trouble?” Noah questioned.

“No, Matthew’s taking it to get a few installations, and he’ll bring it back to the house for us.” His dad said.

“Installations?”

Eli could already guess.

“Some safety features,” His dad reported. “He’s an expert in this area, and he’ll be taking a quick look at the house when he comes by.”

“Your car is next, Noah.” Eli warned.

Noah, to his credit, nodded. Eli would have complained. He complained when his dad gave him permission to leave the house only after installing a GPS onto his phone, but it didn’t come to much. The GPS ended up installed, but at least that meant his dad eased up a little. It was ridiculously overbearing.

A flurry of warmth pulsed from the soul as they pulled away from the gym. Jenny noticed him holding his chest.

“Sweetie?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you tired?”

“No. Well, a little. But that’s because of the work out.” Speaking of… Eli peeked through the gap to the front of the car, spotting Noah’s phone sitting innocently in a cup holder. There was incriminating evidence on it. He double checked that Noah was concentrating on the road, then plucked it up. He was leaning forward, his arm extended to the front of the car, when Noah and his dad both cursed together.

“What the hell is he—” Noah cried.

“Brake!” His dad yelled.

Something struck the back of the car hard and the back of it skidded out. The car veered into the middle of the road, and sideways, still moving at speed—the wheels caught. Eli took in a shocked breath, and then the car flipped over, skidding on its roof along the road. Eli didn’t even have the chance to close his eyes it all happened so fast, squealing metal screamed in his ears.

The car came to a stop. Eli’s belt was tight on his chest, holding him upside down. He stared at nothing, dazed, with something hot bumping into his forehead. He smelled burning.

“He’s okay sweetie, he’s breathing,” Jenny said.

Eli turned his head. Jenny’ long hair was spread around her, her face was red, and her eyes were wide in fright. She reached out to him and squeezed his arm. Eli cursed.

“Eli?” His dad said, alarmed.

Eli twitched his fingers, and pain ached from his fingertips all the way to his shoulder. The arm he’d been reaching for Noah’s phone with didn’t feel good. “I think I’m going to need the real painkillers again.” He groaned. He blinked, and his vision cleared. His eyes were drawn to the driver’s seat. “Are you okay Noah?”

“Fine.” Noah’s voice was strained.

Eli caught a strong smell of metal alongside rubber. He followed his nose to his dad. Upside down, he didn’t have that great a view, but he saw part of the door caved in, and metal cutting his dad’s thigh. Blood poured out from around the wound.

“Dad…” Noah whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

“That wasn’t your fault, he rammed into you. Can any of you get out? Or reach your phones?”

“My belt is stuck.” Jenny reported, breathless. “But I have my phone, I’ll call.”

Eli’s forehead burned. He reached with his good arm and jolted in surprise when his hand closed around the Luna’s pendant. It was out?

Outside the car, glass crunched under someone’s foot as they approached. They were too close by the time Eli turned, so he only saw their adidas sneakers and grey sweatpants. The door handle on Eli’s door clicked several times, but it didn’t open. Jenny was on the phone to the emergency services.

Eli’s window caved in, the glass shattering and spraying over him. He yelped, trying to shield his face.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Noah growled at the man who’d kicked in the glass.

The chain around his neck burned. The man knelt and levelled his pale blue eyes on Eli. Eli’s heart missed a beat, and sudden fear filled him. He wasn’t as ragged as before, and matching adidas sportswear wasn’t something that would ever strike Eli as other-worldly, but Eli would know those eyes anywhere. He would know the cold feeling that they brought even if he was without his senses.

The rogue smiled. “Luna.”