Glaring at her sketchbook (and the half-finished details of a sleeping tiger she was sketching), Ace tried to keep her hand from shaking.

After two weeks of being cooped up with nothing to do, she was getting the familiar urge to hit something and release the tension.

Even hurting Jack whenever he stopped by wasn't helping…

Closing the book with a snap, Ace huffed and pushed it aside, standing.

Stretching out her back, she sighed as the vertebrae popped into place and frowned.

"Is something bothering you?"

Her back muscles tensed, like coiling springs, but only for a moment; Ace was slowly getting used to Chase's sudden appearances.

Turning to face him, she felt the frown on her face lose some of its harshness.

"I can't take sitting around anymore. I'm used to fighting and running outside-I'll go insane staying in here!"

Chase believed her; with all of that pent-up energy, it was a surprise Ace had lasted two weeks.

"I have a solution."

Curious, Ace looked up from her intense study of the floor.

"And what would that be?"

"Follow me."

Having nothing better to do (besides punch a wall, but she wasn't keen on having a cast), Ace jogged to catch up with the departing warlord.

"Spicer warned me that you would become anxious without some stimulus."

"Not much of a surprise." Ace noted dryly.

"He's really not good at keeping secrets."

"I suppose not." Chase agreed.

"But he did give me a rather interesting idea."

Unsure if she would like this idea, Ace stared in surprise at the large room she was led to.

The walls were lined with every kind of weapon she could think of, with equipment pushed off to the side, leaving a clear area in the center.

Chase looked back at her, smirking.

"I will train you to control your powers, and to use them in battle."

"Really? Then why's Jack here?" She wondered, pulling her eyes from the room and back on Chase, jerking her thumb towards the sheepishly-waving albino.

"He made a bet with the monks that you would not last three minutes in a spar with me."

Lavender eyes narrowed, dark and determined, making the 'boy genius' hurriedly back up a few steps.

"We'll see about that."

Obviously insulted by the lack of faith in her skills (and stubbornness), Ace backed away from the everlord, taking a stance.

Chase had expected that sort of reaction; though she was confident in her abilities, Ace had a drive to make sure everyone else was fully aware of them as well.

Jack seemed excited, and a Jack-Bot lowered what looked like an old-fashioned announcer's microphone for the boy to use.

"In this corner-the Everlord of Darkness, the Prince of Heylin, the Dragon of Evil, Chase Young! And in the opposite corner-the Dragon of Lightning, the Irish beauty, the Terror of Downtown Chicago, Ace Lyon!"

"…Shut up, Jack."

"Shutting up." Jack squeaked, hiding behind his Jack-Bot at Ace's annoyed glare.

Turning her attention back to Chase, she raised an eyebrow in question.

"Are we going to spar or what?"

Smirking, Chase motioned for her to make the first move.

He wanted to see the extent of her training, and the best way to find it was to push her to the edge.

Taking the invitation, Ace swung her leg up in a high kick.

Catching her ankle to stop the blow from landing, Chase purposely ran his fingers up the back of her shin, feeling her jump and shudder at the sensual touch.

Frowning to hide how much she had liked it, Ace twisted her body enough to bring her other leg up in a kick.

Releasing her ankle, Chase ducked under the sweep, stepping back.

Landing on her hands, Ace spun to face him as her feet touched the ground, crouched and wary.

"Is this just another excuse to touch me?"

"More like a fantastic opportunity."

Rolling her eyes, she tried a sweep at his legs that Chase easily jumped over as Ace used the momentum to stand.

Striking back, Chase was impressed by her swift dodge and counterattack, stepping away to avoid a punch to the face.

This went on for some time, though the pace picked up as punches and kicks were deflected or avoided with blinding speed.

Jack was quick to return to his 'announcer duties', attempting to keep up with what was happening and cheering on whoever seemed to be winning.

Chase had to admit that she was an exceptional fighter; though there had been very little formal training, she had clearly learned well from her years of fighting on the streets.

One of her legs unexpectedly hooked behind his knee, pulling enough to send Chase toppling backward.

Ace straddled his hips and pinned his arms with the weight of her torso, breathing heavily as her loosened ponytail fell over one shoulder.

"How was that?"

Smirking, Chase easily switched their positions, holding her wrists with one hand and using the other to hold her hips down.

"Better than I expected, little Dragon."

Uncomfortably aware of their new position, Ace tried to keep her heart from fluttering around like a caged bird and turned her head away.

"Well, you can let me up now."

Noticing her unease, Chase settled himself against the pliant curves of Ace's body, half-wishing there was no armor or cloth in the way as he breathed into her ear.

"I don't think I will."

The closeness made heat blossom in her gut, and she started to struggle, hoping he wouldn't notice.

"Let me up, Chase!"

The movement of her hips as they tried to wriggle away from his own was erotically wonderful, and Chase growled, pressing his fangs into the soft skin of her throat.

Going still, Ace tried to control her breathing and ignore how her insides were tying themselves into burning knots.

"Chase…"

Jack, watching in surprise, covered the eyes of his Jack-Bot and his own, backing up towards the exit.

He got the feeling this was a private moment…

Feeling the panicked pace of her heart, Chase forced down his instincts and released Ace's neck, admiring the red marks left on her pale skin.

Staring down at her, sweaty and panting and marked, made another aroused growl rumble from his chest like thunder.

Hands free now that Chase was using his own to support his weight, Ace pressed against his shoulders, frightened of her own feelings.

"Stop."

Pausing at the softness of her voice, Chase looked into her eyes and cursed himself.

He was pushing Ace too far; she would shut down if this went on any longer.

Pulling away, Chase sighed and stood, giving her room to sit up.

Wincing as the forming bruise on her neck was aggravated, Ace covered it with a hand as if to press the pain out.

Gently removing her hand, and feeling her tense, Chase whispered a spell that immediately numbed the area.

"You're not going to…?" Ace started, unsure and skittish now.

"I told you, Acacia-I do not take unwilling lovers."

Curling his fingers in her loose hair, Chase sighed.

"And though I want nothing more than to claim you, it is your choice."

Relaxing and pretending that she wasn't blushing, Ace looked off to the side.

"Flirt…"

Now that the panic was gone, Chase smirked, secretly relieved.

"I think you enjoy it."

Watching him walk away, Ace tried to convince herself (unsuccessfully) that he was wrong.