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So you just thought you’d kill it for me and then pretend to be the last threat we have to face for a government-sanctioned test?

Yes, actually.

It had seemed like a solid plan to me when I had materialized onto the rooftop of the Testing Center, swept through every mind until I found Rayna’s, and realized she was deep in these creepy as shit tunnels, swimming around with eels. I knew she could handle herself, but I could at least spare her from a monster that would remind her too much of Hallow’s Perch.

Besides, Balkersaff obviously thought I was a monster. She was staring at my ears and canines and mask, her face as pale as a sheet of ice.

I didn’t blame her. I was the perfect image of a murderous pirate from beyond the dome, the nightmare Esholians believed was waiting for those who were exiled. Something deadlier and crueler than a human.

Grabbing Old Veracious, I stood and hopped off the lizard carcass, gaze back on Rayna. Let’s make this believable, shall we?

Balkersaff crouched, fire blooming in her hands. Rayna’s eyes narrowed. I did not fake-kill you in front of Dyonisia just for you to waltz back into the Testing Center in front of another pre-elite, Coen!

That’s what the mask is for. Duck for me, okay?

Rayna ducked, pulling Balkersaff down with her. I threw my sword at them, barely high enough to whoosh above their heads.

Balkersaff retaliated by blasting me with a palmful of fire.

I whipped out of existence before it could singe me and rematerialized behind her, catching Old Veracious right before it clanged to the ground.

“What—?” Balkersaff twisted, face full of horror. I almost laughed. But then Rayna drew herself up to her full height and I wanted to cower at her expression.

I was so getting in trouble later.

The thought shouldn’t have made my face break into another grin.

Come on, use your knives, I taunted her. I could see her sheath flashing beneath her slanted skirt as she moved, so I didn’t give her time to protest. Simply slashed my sword in her direction fast enough to earn an instinctive reaction.

She didn’t use her knives, dammit. Only threw herself backward out of my blade’s reach, dancing away from me but refusing to lift a hand against me.

Nope. Not acceptable.

With another flash in and out of existence, I slammed into her, placing a hand against the back of her head before knocking her to the ground.

“Fight me,” I begged into her ear. “Show me that you are strong enough to defeat me.”

Show me that if Mydusia ever mentions your name, you can kill me before the oath forces me to kill you.

Anguish nipped at her face, but this time, a powerful, invisible push sent me flying off her. I slammed into the dungeon wall hard enough to shake the arched ceiling, rubble falling from above.

There’s my girl.

Balkersaff used the moment to throw ropes of ice in my direction, trying to freeze me in place. But it wasn’t Element Wielding that could hold me down.

As soon as Rayna’s Object Summoning let up, I was flashing out and into existence again, appearing right in front of them with my sword held high.

I couldn’t bring myself to actually place the blade against her neck, even if I felt in total control at this moment. I’d already killed a Good Council elite earlier today, fulfilling my new daily quota for Queen Mydusia. The tattoo on my back was still enough to allow me to focus on delivering a believable enough performance.

I slashed the blade through the air between them.

They both moved. Quinn used her Element Wielding power to fling a pile of rubble toward me, then her Shape Shifting to sharpen them into daggered points. Rayna used her Object Summoning to fling me out of the way, although hopefully it appeared as if she were trying to attack instead of save me.

On and on we danced in circles around the mutant’s carcass. My sword became a swishing blur, their magics coming at me until I noted the weariness sagging Rayna’s shoulders. My eyes lowered to her ankles and narrowed at the blisters that had formed on her skin. Okay, enough.

Ready for the grand finale? I asked her.

Depends on what your crazy ass has in mind.