Kira crossed the distance between them in three powerful steps; her attack glancing off his guard. They moved quickly across the space, their blades a blur, neither giving the other quarter.
Kira's breath came faster and faster, the weight of the blade dragging at her shoulders and arms. Graydon didn't pause, pressing harder as he backed Kira up.
She ducked, getting distance again.
He shifted with her, firing severalkiblasts in succession. She dodged the first and the second, her body contorting to avoid them, even as her blade whipped up to protect her from Graydon's strike.
The last blast ripped through her guard, glancing off the tip of her sword to punch her in the chest. Kira staggered back, barely catching her balance.
Smug arrogance settled on Graydon's face as he waited, making a statement in how he didn't need to take advantage of the sudden break in her defense.
She glared as she rubbed her chest, even as she considered all that she'd learned so far. Most important of which was the blade had deflected some of the power of hiski.
Hm.
"If you're done, we can call it a day," he invited.
Not likely. She hadn't dealt him near enough damage to satisfy herself.
However, he did have a point. Her endurance was shit. She needed to end this before she gassed out.
Kira didn't respond with words, her attack answering for her. This time Graydon didn't bother defending, stretching out one hand, thekiblast already prepared.
She ducked under it, her blade scraping along his side in a solid strike.
He grunted. "Not good enough."
Too late, she saw his stance had shifted, his palm moving to point at her from under his sword. She had no time to dodge the point-blank strike.
Her feet left the ground as she flew back. She hit hard and lay there, trying to catch her breath. What the hell was that?
"Done yet?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.
Jin whistled. "Ooh, them's fighting words. If he had just kept his mouth shut..."
Kira leveraged herself up, ignoring the way her ribs protested. She was past playing nice, the inner demon inside lifting its head. Blood was in the air and she wanted to play. Consequences be damned.
Graydon grinned, telling her without words to bring it.
Kira found herself willing to comply. She was on her feet in the next second, attacking without thought or any sense of self-preservation. All that mattered was shoving those words down Graydon's throat.
"That's enough." The words cracked through the air. The weight of authority behind them brought all movement within the hall to a standstill.
Kira and Graydon broke off their attacks, snapping to attention as they faced the newcomer.
Wren watched them with an implacable expression, reminding Kira of a commander confronted with the indiscretions of his subordinates. Disapproval mixing with displeasure.
The slightest tinge of red stained Graydon's cheeks as Wren's gaze shifted to him. Kira blinked. Was that a blush?
Naw, it couldn't be.
"Commander, I believe you have duties elsewhere." Wren's reserve didn't mask his censure. His eyebrow lifted the slightest bit. "Unless you would like to do my job for me."
Graydon radiated discomfort, making Kira stare at him in surprise. She'd never seen anyone put Graydon in his place as easily as if he was a naughty child.
Who was this man? And could he teach Kira to do the same?
Jin's voice was hushed as he whispered. "That man is my new hero."
