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Drake just looks exhausted.

“Stop dancing,” he says.

They both step forwards at the same time. Go for each other again.

“Honestly,” Riss continues. “This is not what I had in mind for them to be doing down here on their first day.” She turns to me. “Well, go on then. Tell them it’s time to wrap up.”

I swivel to her. “Why me?”

She says, impassive, “Because you seem to get both of their attentions pretty well. If you hadn’t noticed.”

I frown. “What does that⁠—”

“Just go!”

I’m moving. She’s scary.

I approach the mat, wondering how I’m going to do this. They’re so immersed in the fight.

“Cosmer. Drake,” I say, loudly. “Riss says it’s time to go.”

And she’s getting angry.

They both look up at me. But it lasts half a second. Cosmer attempts something like a kick. But Drake surges in, faster this time, and grabs him in a headlock.

“I said, stop dancing.”

Cosmer just stays there, in Drake’s grip, completely motionless. Like he’s just another of the training dummies. What is he doing?

The soldiers are clamouring for Cosmer to fight back.

But it’s too late. Drake shoves Cosmer forwards, right out of the circle.

There’s booing and groaning all around.

Cosmer whirls around. There’s nothing but rage on his face as he yells, “You cheated!”

There’s nothing but calmness on Drake’s as he retorts, “How could I have cheated?”

“You did. You did it to me on my ship. And you did it to me just now.” He points at him. “This is blood magic!”

He gapes around the crowd, as if expecting everyone else to be as outraged. But they’re either silent or guffawing.

“Not used to not winning, are you, Cosmer?” one of them chides.

Another of the soldiers – I realise it’s Rike – steps forwards and pats Drake on the back.

“You did good, brother,” he says. He pulls Drake’s arm into the air. “Victor!”

It does something to the crowd. They surround Drake, congratulating him. “This one!” an older soldier booms. “He’s got a fire to him! He’ll be Fully Integrated in no time!”

Cosmer spins around.

“Ara,” he breathes. “How much of that exactly did you see?”

“Enough,” I say.

Lines split his forehead. “I had him,” he tells me. “I would have had him. He cheated. He has blood magic.”