Chapter 48 – Trial by Fire

The first few days were hell for Anastasia and Sean. They weren't used to this much physical exertion. Sure, Matt took it better since he practiced for football, but even he began to fall apart under Wyatt's unrelenting obstacle courses and those long, brutal forest runs.

Following what seemed like an endless hour, they returned to the house, sweaty and struggling to breathe, only to see Wyatt, Bastian, and Billy standing there with crossed arms and inscrutable faces. They all fell onto the grass, in need of a moment to rest and regain their breath.

"What's this?" Wyatt's voice cut through their fatigue akin to a sharp blade. He arched his brow in surprise at Matt. "I thought you were meant to be in good shape?" You did get that football scholarship without any assistance from me, right?

"Dead, come on." Matt groaned, sprawled out on his back. "Yeah, I was fit, but we never got up at 4 a.m. to sprint for an hour. We jogged, sure, but sprinting? And we definitely didn't do strength training and obstacle courses all day till 8 p.m.!" He shot a look at Anastasia, who was on her knees, head hanging as she fought to catch her breath. "Ana's a girl; she's never done anything like this. Can't you go a little easier on her?"

"Hey! I haven't done sports since high school either!" Sean chimed in, also flat on his back, his voice a little panicked.

"Not the same, dufus!" Matt snapped at Sean.

"Why not?" "Do you believe our adversaries would spare Ana simply because she is a girl? They'll kill you in a heartbeat because they regard you as a danger. If anything, I've been soft on you, but that's about to change," Wyatt interjected, his face furrowed.

Matt and Sean looked up wide-eyed at Wyatt's remarks, and Anastasia's head flew up in amazement.

"Easy for us? Seriously?" Matt's voice was full of shock. "Maybe the first day, yeah, but—"

"Enough!" Wyatt's voice boomed. "Since you've got enough energy to whine, you've got enough for another hour of sprinting."

"WHAT?! But Dad!" They protested in unison. "Can we at least have some water first?"

"When you finish your second round. Now go! Move it!" Wyatt barked.

Anastasia looked to Bastian for help, pleading with her eyes, but he just gave her a sympathetic nod toward the forest. Her blood boiled at his lack of support, and she shot him and Wyatt a furious glare before dragging herself up to follow Matt and Sean, who were already jogging back toward the trees.

"Sprint!" Wyatt's shout echoed after them, and they took off at double speed, the fear of what might come next pushing them forward.

As they vanished into the trees, Wyatt turned to Billy and Bastian. "Follow them. Make sure they don't slow down or start walking."

"Aren't we being a bit hard on them?" Bastian asked, a silent plea in his eyes as he glanced at Wyatt, hoping for some mercy, especially for Anastasia.

"Bastian, I know how you feel about my daughter, but that's clouding your judgment. We've got two weeks left, and we haven't even started combat training. They won't leave this island unprepared, not if I have anything to do with it. Now go after them and give them some water. "They'll need it before they begin their strength training."

Bastian and Billy exchanged doubtful glances but followed instructions, grabbing three bottles of water before sprinting after the siblings.

"Moron, this is all your fault!" Sean moaned as they rushed into the trees.

"Me?!" Matt yelled and jumped over a log. "How the hell is this my fault?"

"If you'd just kept your mouth shut, we wouldn't be running again for another goddamn hour!" Sean took a photo.

"I'm pretty sure he planned to make us run a second time anyway," Anastasia muttered, her legs screaming with anguish with each step.

"She's right," a familiar voice said from behind them.

They slowed just enough to let Billy and Bastian catch up, each clutching bottles of water.

"Oh my God, gimme that!" Matt virtually attacked Billy for a bottle, which he chugged down in seconds.

"Don't down it all—" Billy began, then sighed as Matt downed the final drop. "You're gonna puke that up later."

Anastasia and Sean were more cautious, taking smaller sips so as not to make themselves sick.

"What did you mean when you said 'she's right'?" Anastasia inquired, frowning at Billy.

"Your father was going to send you for another round of sprinting anyway," Bastian admitted sheepishly.

"Why is he acting like this?" Anastasia demanded.

Billy exchanged a look with Bastian before answering, "Ana, the only skill you've really mastered is archery. That's awesome, but it isn't enough. There's still so much to learn, and we only have two weeks left."

"Why two weeks exactly?" Sean questioned, plainly concerned.

"Well, if you need more time, your dad can extend it a few more weeks—" Billy was cut off.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Sean interjected. "We've got universities to go back to! Ana's lucky she just graduated, but Matt and I start our new semesters in two months. We need to prep, rest, all that! So how many more weeks are we talking?"

"Hey! I'm enrolled in a police academy that starts at the same time, so this impacts me as well!" Anastasia snapped at him.

"It won't matter," Bastian said quietly. "You're all covered."

"How?" Sean inquired, his expression betraying his perplexity.

"Your fraternities," Billy clarified. "These aren't simply University clubs...they are actually secret training grounds for demon hunters. So all your fraternity brothers? They're also in training and the sororities? Well, they're good witches working beside them. They've been training beneath the radar while maintaining appearances. Your father called their supervisors, and they are covering your absences.

"Wait, what?" They never told me anything." Matt expressed his dissatisfaction.

"That's because Wyatt made sure of it, and they are loyal to the legendary Demon Hunter, so that means they are loyal to you," Billy added, keeping a wary eye on Matt.

Matt stood there, the weight of Billy's words sinking in, until a sudden realization hit him like a freight train. His blood ran cold. "Jenny's part of the sorority at my university!"

Anastasia's eyes widened as she came to the same conclusion. "You're right! Does that mean she's a witch?

Billy and Bastian exchanged another glance, and Billy nodded softly.

"Why didn't she tell me?" Matt yelled, his rage boiling out.

"It was one of the conditions of dating you—she couldn't tell you who she was or who you were," Billy continued, trying to anticipate Matt's reaction as Billy knew full well of Matt's temper.

"Fuck!" Matt erupted and punched a nearby tree trunk. His punch ripped clean through the sturdy wood, leaving a gaping hole. He looked at it, startled. "How the hell did I do that?" He turned to face Billy and Bastian, who were both smiling at him.

"Your strength's improving," Bastian said with a satisfied smile. "Imagine what you'll be able to do when you leave the island."

Matt's shock turned into a determined grin. The rush of power motivated him. "Right! Enough talking and resting. Let's move." And with that, he took off running again.

Anastasia and Sean watched him go, then exchanged a glance before sprinting after him, Billy and Sean close behind.

But just as Anastasia was about to follow, Bastian gently grabbed her arm, his expression serious.

"Ana, there's something I need to tell you."