Excerpt from The Warrior Trainer

"Move and I shall give you a wound you shall wear to your grave," a husky voice threatened from behind.

Ian inclined his head only enough to communicate his agreement.  He let his arm drop from the sword, cursing himself for not grabbing it sooner.  "Are all the residents in this castle as friendly as those I have met so far?"

A second dagger pricked his flesh just below his ribs, causing a sharp pain.  So much for humor. 

His irritation shifted quickly to intrigue.  What kind of woman was this trainer of warriors?  No woman had ever spoken to him with such authority before.  And there was no denying she was a woman.  Her body pressed against his back--a combination of strength and hard metal wrapped in the soft scent of heather.

"If you release me, I shall do as you ask," he said.

The blade against his chest disappeared and the one at his throat eased.  In that instant, he twisted out of her grasp.  He meant to move away, but the sight of her held him captive just as tightly as her arms had done.  Aye, she was definitely female.  Even though the upper body was concealed behind a brigandine covered in faded red velvet, the plated armor did little to hide her curves.  Her lower half was concealed by an assortment of leather and metal armor, yet the curve of her hips teased the soft red fabric of her skirt.  But none of those things entranced him as much as the sight of her long, thick, sleep-tossed hair.  It appeared dark in the uncertain light, perhaps red, perhaps brown.  Locks of untamed curls spilled over her shoulders, teasing the edge of her chest armor as she returned her dagger to a sheath at her waist.  An odd combination, that wild, feminine hair against the cold, masculine armor.

"You are the Trainer?" Ian asked, trying to conceal the slight breathlessness that stirred in his chest.

"I should be the one to ask who you are, trespasser."  She drew a long, thin length of leather with two small weights at each end from her belt.

"Ian MacKinnon of the clan MacKinnon."  He kept his gaze on her weapon--a weapon that had the capability to render him immobile if he chose to attack.  But would she use it?  Or was she playing some sort of game?

"Why are you here, Ian MacKinnon?" 

A devilish part of him wanted to find out if she was half as tough as she appeared.  He took two steps toward her. 

She swung the two ends of the leather in a circle at her side, filling the distance between them with a threatening whoosh of air. 

A false move on his part and he was certain she would wrap those leather strands about his neck before she let him anywhere near her.  So much for testing her.  Ian paused.  "I seek the Trainer."

She snorted inelegantly.  "You are a poor liar.  If you had come to see the Trainer then why would I find you in this chamber stealing a sword instead of in the great hall preparing to make your introductions?"

"I was not given a choice," he said, suddenly feeling impatient at the time he wasted sparring verbally with this woman.  If she was the Trainer why did she not just acknowledge it and they could move forward with the training?  Ian folded his arms over his chest.  "Had I the choice I would beg pardon and ask to speak with you."

"And you think that would have gained you an audience?"  She swung her weapon in a slow, methodical circle. 

"I had hoped it would serve my purpose as well as anything else." 

"If your only purpose is to fight me, then you are a fool." 

In an instant the leather strands snaked around his arms.  Two heavy weights struck his chest, forcing the air from his lungs.  The powerful throw sent him off balance.  He tried to move sideways, to twist himself free of the bonds, but she was too quick.  She caught him in the stomach with her foot and sent him sprawling on his backside. 

Slowly she stalked toward him, a tigress on the prowl.  She straddled him with her leather-covered legs, then sat on his chest.  She stared at him calmly, her face still and strangely sad, her mouth unsmiling, her green eyes so solemn he wondered if she ever smiled. 

"You wanted to meet the Trainer?" she asked.  "Consider yourself introduced.  Now that the pleasantries have been observed, you may leave."