She huffed and lifted her hand.
Mana gathered in her palm in a swirl of pale silver light. The threads arched and twined together, weaving strings of light into form until aglowing quiver took shape against her back—translucent, elegant, humming with contained power.
She drew a shining arrow from within and notched it against the string. Drew. Took a breath. The arrow loosed with a high-pitched whistle, and the target at the far end of the yard exploded in a shower of splinters and sparks.
Auryn lowered the bow with a satisfied smile.
Kailorien didn’t react.
“Again.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Yes, Your Quintessence.”
Another arrow formed. Another whistle and release. This time, the instant the string snapped forward—
Auryn took a single step and vanished.
The world folded, and she slipped into the Veilweave. It was like sinking into a warm bath. Heat surrounded her, much like nether residue when stepping through a portal, but different. Lighter. Her thoughts fragmented, and she worked to focus them. To remember where she needed to go.
Kailorien. His back. Twenty paces or so to the right. Not too high, or she would reappear in the air and fall to her death. Not too low or her body could coalesce below the earth and merge her flesh with stone.
Her calves burned from the strain, but she pushed. Endless practice had given her enough control to do so. Her chest hurt, and she exhaled before the nether could turn to liquid in her lungs.
All in less than a fraction of a blink.
She Veilstepped.
And reappeared behind Kailorien, another arrow surging into being. She notched it, ready to fire.
He didn’t turn, but his hand lifted, the minor runes along his forearm flaring blue.
The arrow struck an azure shield of force surging around him and shattered into golden sparks.
Auryn groaned. “You anticipated where I would step.”
“I anticipatedyou,” he corrected, so calm it irked.
She released the glowing quiver on her back, allowing it to dissolve into floating motes of light.
“My timing was perfect.”
“You announced your intentions, starlight.”
Auryn blinked, frustrated. “I did not.”
“You did.” His glowing eyes flicked toward her. “When you Veilstep, you flinch. It’s painful, and your body knows it. First, your shoulders shift, and your center of balance follows. Anyone watching closely will notice it.”
Auryn crossed her arms. “Anyone watching closely would already have my arrow in their back.”
“Confidence is useful,” Kailorien teased. “Overconfidence is fatal.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Again.”
Mana flared back into her hands, the quiver reappearing on her back. This time, she didn’t step immediately. She circled him, drawing the bowstring as she moved.
