Stepping outside, I find the courtyard has been transformed into a warzone. Hundreds of soldiers and mages fight the prisoners, but from the looks of it, the prisoners are doing a great job of holding their ground.
Just as I’m about to join the fray, I spot two familiar figures in the corner of my eye – Need and Leon.
I turn, immediately heading for them.
Need only looks mildly inconvenienced as she watches the chaos unfold around her.
Leon spots me first, but instead of looking angry, he gives me a patronizing expression. “Now, now, pet. Put the weapon down. We both know this is beneath you,” he tuts.
Weeks of repressed rage boil to the surface. “I’m not your fucking pet,” I hiss. “And you wish I was beneath you.”
My open defiance is all it takes for him to drop his mask of cool superiority. His expression twists into something dark.
Need finally looks my way and gives a small sigh, “Leon, do collect your property. She’s losing value by the minute.”
Leon starts toward me, but my pulse remains steady.
I’m not afraid.
Instead, deadly calm washes over me as I pick up a second sword off the ground.
Leon draws his own blade, and the blue diamond glitters in the glaring sunlight. “Are you going to try and fight me?” He gives a disbelieving laugh. “Come now, pet, I’ve had centuries of–”
I don’t let him finish. He’s had weeks of monologuing, and I’m done listening.
My steps are light as I launch forward. Leon twists, but not quickly enough. My blade catches his upper thigh.
“You little bitch,” he snarls, lunging for me.
Blow after blow, our blades connect, neither of us drawing blood. A crowd surrounds us, and I distantly realize they’re guards. Still, there’s more fighting beyond us, so I know we aren’t beaten.
Leon takes advantage of my distraction, and his blade nicks my cheek.
I hiss as blood drips down my jaw.
“Now look what you’ve made me do,” he growls. “That had better not leave a scar, Vivian. I want your face unmarked.”
I resist the urge to immediately slice up my other cheek.
It’s his blood I want.
Cassandra’s memories ring out inside my mind.‘His hits are slower when he’s distracted. Anger him!’
The air beside my arm whistles, and I dodge Leon’s sword, laughing as I do it.
“You don’t get a say about my life,” I snap. At the same time, I spin, easily slicing his other thigh.
He might be quick, but Sin is faster.
Leon’s snarl deepens, his eyes taking on their familiar feral gleam. It’s the one that tells me he’s losing control.
A smirk curls across my lips.
“YOU ARE FUCKING MINE,” he roars as he lifts his sword for a killing blow.
I duck underneath it and kick his legs out.
Leon falls backwards.
