“You were working with the king?” Landyn demanded, stunned.
“I am to be well rewarded,” Demory said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Raven’s jaw clenched so tight that her teeth ground together in fury. His words raced through her brain like lightning on a stormy night, revealing he was behind her father’s murder. The revelation coursed through her veins like liquid fire, every muscle quivering with rage. Hatred so potent it could turn bones to ash burrowed into her chest, making her heart pound.
“It wasn’t that John was a threat, but he was constantly,constantlygetting in the way. I was delighted he was leading the caravan. Finally, everything had come together. I was disappointed the gold was not in the caravan, but John’s death made up for that.”
Raven’s eyes blazed with anger as she lunged forward, sword in hand, ignoring Landyn’s cry of, “Raven!”
Her blade clashed against Demory’s, sparks flying and clanging metal echoing through the air. He stood his ground, his smile never fading, as she swung her sword again and again. Resolve filled her, clouding her judgment and fueling her fight.
When Landyn knocked his shoulder into hers, she stumbled aside, spying Demory’s clenched fist. In the fading sunlight, she made out the glint of a long, thin blade clutched in his grasp.
Landyn spun on the ball of his foot, attempting to dodge the dagger, but it caught him beneath his armor. He winced and staggered away.
Demory’s smile finally faded. “Always interfering,” he snarled.
“Landyn,” Raven whispered at the sight of Landyn holding his side. At that moment, she felt a shame she had never known before. Her father’s voice echoed in her mind, scolding her for failing to keep her head in the fight. But no lecture could begin to compare to the crushing weight of self-loathing and regret that washed over her as she realized Landyn had been hurt because of her.
She lifted her sword and moved in front of Landyn. “This is my responsibility,” she said.
Landyn shook his head, holding his side, refusing to relinquish the fight.
“You’re already wounded. I’ll finish.”
“How brave,” Demory sneered.
Raven clasped her sword. Relax, she told herself. She had trained for years, and she knew how to fight. She just had to control her emotions. “You can’t win.”
“I will win.” He swung in an arc, colliding against her sword with a clang.
Raven stepped back, her boots scraping the hard-packed dirt, and deflected his blow with a quick parry. She followed up with a riposte, twirling her blade around and sweeping it toward his midsection. He stopped the swipe and made a quick lunge with his dagger.
She knocked the dagger aside with her weapon and blocked his sword with her own. He had two weapons. She needed to watch them both and stay alert. It would make it difficult, but she knew she could defeat him.
He gritted his teeth and lunged in, swiping his dagger.
She reacted instantly, sidestepping the attack and hitting the dagger away with her blade.
He ducked and turned, thrusting his dagger behind him.
She caught the movement with her sword and flicked her wrist in a circular motion, sending the dagger flying into the air. It tumbled end over end until it landed among the tall weeds with a soft thud.
Demory’s face contorted in anger, his eyes bulging with fury as he reared back and slammed his sword into hers. The clang of steel reverberated through the cemetery.
Raven blocked each strike, her sword arm trembling with the effort. She fought to anticipate his movements. When he staggered back, exhausted, she struck forward, her arm a blur of motion. She felt the difference in their strength and knew she had to be smarter than him to win.
He retreated.
Raven maintained a safe distance as she circled slowly to his right. She held her weapon before her, the tip aimed directly at Demory. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Landyn bent over with his hand cupping his midsection. She mentally shook herself. Focus.
Demory’s upper lip twitched. “You won’t win. You’re not as good as your father.”
Raven ignored his barb. He was casting doubt on her skill, goading her into attacking, but she didn’t need to. Demory was foolish and overly confident. He wouldn’t wait long to attack.
And he didn’t. He advanced, brandishing his sword over his head until he got close, then lowering it for impalement.
Raven knocked his blade aside.
