Jax shifted beside her, his usual confidence edged with concern. “Be careful. I know he’s an assassin.”
Ferrula didn’t even look at him when she replied. Her eyes stayed locked on Dermith.
“I knowbetterthan you what he is.”
This wasn’t just about a fight.
This was personal.
All the squads were now squared off across the Ascension Grounds, the air thrumming with tension as the final pairs locked eyes, fists tightened, steel whispered from sheaths.
Major Ledor stepped up onto the platform, arms crossed behind his back.
“All combatants are in position,” he called out. “Begin.”
The courtyardexplodedinto motion.
Perin circled me like a wolf who knew the terrain too well. The crowd had melted into background noise, the scrape of boots and clash of weapons filling the air around the Ascension Grounds.
We had weapons.
Which meant he wouldn’t try to grab me.
No hands meant no tendons, and no fear of his sickening magic twisting through my body again. Magic was barred from this trial, and I was thankful.
I adjusted my grip on the short sword, sweat already trailing down the back of my neck. Perin smirked, the flat of his blade tapping lightly against his thigh.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle,” he said.
“Good,” I breathed. “I won’t.”
He struck first, predictable, fluid, testing me. I blocked, the clang of our blades echoing sharply through the courtyard. He pivoted, struck again. And again.
I was faster than he expected. Kaelith’s silence may have stung, but it forced me to rely on my body, not the bond. My training. My instincts.
And I knew Perin.
He was flashy. Calculated. Overconfident.
I used it.
Ducked his swing, slid in low, and swept with my leg. He barely kept his balance, stumbling just long enough for me to rise and slash upward.
My blade bit into his arm.
Not deep, but enough.
Blood blossomed against the crimson of his sleeve.
A whistle sounded. One of the trial guards stepped in fast, hand raised. “Pull out!”
Perin hissed, but stepped back, clutching his arm.
“One point—Rebec,” the guard barked.
I exhaled shakily as Perin was led from the ring, muttering curses under his breath.
My heart still thundered, but I wasn’t shaking.
