Before, Rahven might have discounted his life. After all, what was he worth when he had no family and no magic and was clearly a burden on everyone around him? But now? The magic seethed and crackled. It loved him.
Everything, he answered.
Then protect it with everything you have. Do not hold back. Let go.
Softly, Rahven stole over to his fallen foe. Earlier that day he’d had a victory against Vulre. He hadn’t taken the kill then. He’d had reasons. Good reasons. But Vulre’s treachery had eliminated them, hadn’t it? It was kill or be killed like the voice said.
Wasn’t it?
Give him a chance to recover and see if it isn’t, the voice taunted. You already know the answer, but you also know…
Know?
That once you cross over this line–once you take a life–you will never be the same.
But this is in defense!
Yes.
I have no choice… do I?
Do you?
The magical crackling lowered in intensity.
I could leave, Rahven said. Leave the Venomthorn.
Ah, yes, run away. The voice laughed unkindly. Cackled practically at his foolishness.
It wouldn’t be running away! Rahven gritted his teeth.
Wouldn’t it? The voice sounded unconvinced.
If I killed him I would have to leave anyway! Rahven pointed out. And the others would hunt me.
Because Vulre is worth so much more than you? Because he is a Blood Knight and you are…
Rahven didn’t have an answer to that. He was jadir. He was… This magic I have. It’s powerful.
There was a pause and then, Yes.
More powerful than Vulre’s and I am just a boy, Rahven said.
You are not wrong about that, the voice agreed.
In time, I will surpass him and all like him. I will surpass the lords and ladies of the High Houses. I will…
Surpass Vex? The voice was tight.
Be like Vex, Rahven corrected.
If you wish to be like Vex, you will strike Vulre down and then prepare for the rest of the students and teachers to return and kill them, too, the voice muttered.
Vulre does not matter, Rahven realized and lowered the broken sword. None of these people do. I’m not nothing. They are.
His shadow fell over Vulre. The Blood Knight’s eyes which had been unfocused suddenly appeared sharpened as he struck out with his own magic. While Rahven had not been allowed to participate in the magical training–what was the point of training a Null in magical combat and defense? There was no point, according to Vulre–Rahven had watched. But he’d practiced the moves over and over to block, imagining magic shimmering all around him.
And it worked.
