“I might keep you alive. So you can live in my new world. See all the suffering, you might enjoy it as much as I do.”
A vision bursts behind my eyes of him charging at me.
And he does. His sword reared back by his head as he swings.
I duck in time, kicking out.
But he doesn’t trip over his feet. He whirls. Death blazing in his eyes. He has no intention of keeping me alive.
A scream rings out.
Someone has fallen.
But I can’t see who. Not as another vision whizzes by.
He twirls, slashing out with his sword while drawing his dagger.
I’m not quick enough.
His sword slams into my lower back. And although the metal holds keeping him from cutting me down, it doesn’t stop the impact.
I slam face-first onto the ground.
Stars burst behind my eyes and my head pounds.
“Lena!” Lachlan roars. “Get up!”
Get up. Get up. Get up.
The world seems to tilt as I clamber to my feet and sway.
A low, deep chuckle crackles between us.
Memories from our trainings before surface. He likes to emotionally torment me before physically torturing me.
I fell for the first trap already. I will not fall for the second.
Taking a slow, deep breath, I count to four. Steadying myself.
Lachlan’s words from before ring in my ears.
Ye are better than him, believe in yourself.
Fear and anger loosen their grip on my heart and mind. My sight becomes clearer, even though my head still throbs and my body aches.
I can do this.
Iblock his next three assaults. My feet slide against the marble floor as smoothly as my breathing. I’m in control, balanced. But when a cry rings out, I stumble.
Lachlan.
That’s Lachlan’s voice. Julius takes a step in retreat and I risk it, my eyes sliding to Lachlan. He drops to his knees. Blood blooms scarlet from a sizable stab wound to his thigh.
My glance costs me. A vision occurs too late as a fist slams into my mouth.
I crumple.
Blood sprays from my mouth and I fall to my stomach on the cold marble floor.
