“Die!” Baldric roars.
I turn, and a blade whistles past my head, inches from slicing into my face.
He barrels toward me, teeth bared, and I hit the ground, barely dodging his blow. Shoving my hand into the sand, I push up, staggering to my feet.
Baldric is on me instantly, and I barely block his next swing.
Metal clashes against metal in a high-pitched clang. The force of the blow travels through my hands, rattling my bones and jarring my joints. My grip tightens instinctively around the hilt of my sword, the muscles in my forearm straining. My wrist bears most of the impact, bending slightly with the blow. A sharp pain shoots up my arm.
My blood drums in my ears. Pressure builds beneath my ribs.
Baldric is faster. Stronger. In better condition.
I clamp my teeth together and lunge to the side, evading his next blow.
Fine. I’ll just have to fight smarter.
Baldric plays to the crowd, a wide grin lighting up his face as several women scream for him.
But he’s slowly moving closer to Maeva, his steps small as he attempts to disguise his goal.
Launching myself across the arena, I position myself in front of her once more. “Stay back,” I snap.
She mutters something before vomiting again. Hopefully, her body is purging the poison.
Baldric’s eyes meet mine, hard and cold despite the sickening grin stretching across his face.
“Let’s finish this, voidborn,” he calls, and then he’s on me.
Slash, slash, slash.
Dodge, parry, block. My muscles shriek at me. My lungs constrict as I gulp for air.
Baldric was holding back when I watched him train. I had no idea just how fast he was.
He slices to my right and I dodge left.
Right into his backhand.
My face explodes in agony, the impact dropping me to the ground. Copper fills my mouth and I choke, the edges of my vision turning dark.
Get up. Get up or die.
I force my eyes open. When did they close? Above my head, the stars glitter like jewels, alluring and mysterious.
Wait.
There are no stars. The tiled roof above the arena is pulled closed.
I roll.
Baldric’s blade hits the ground next to me, and my stomach spirals. Clawing at the sand, I stumble to my feet. Pain radiates through my head, the arena rotating sickly around me.
Tears flood my eyes at the movement and Baldric’s laugh echoes in my ears. “That’s it. Cry for me.”
My vision sharpens. Baldric is already gazing past me to Maeva. I force my knees to straighten.
He charges at Maeva, and I lunge, cutting him off.
