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I kicked at his kneecap, but he leaped out of the way before my boot heel connected. Golden recovered smoothly and returned to the offensive, swinging his broadsword at my neck. I ducked in time, but he used my unsteadiness to strike my ankles with a swift kick, knocking me off my feet.

My tailbone broke my fall on the marble floor. I cursed at the sharp pain. My magic alerted me to Golden’s sword, carving the air aimed at my head. I rolled out of the way as the sword struck the floor.

I needed to regain the upper hand.

Golden swung again, and I rolled once more.

He grunted in pain from the gash on his chest. The dull ache in my tailbone stole my breath, but I ignored it as his sword met the marble for a third time. I dropped a dagger and snagged a throwing knife instead. Driving the heel of my boot into his shin, I threw the knife with precision at his torso. It rotated perfectly through the air before sinking into his gut.

The broadsword clattered to the ground, Golden following close behind. I pulled myself to my feet.

I towered over Golden while he choked on his blood as he squeezed the hilt of my protruding dagger.

Golden looked at me with wide eyes, pleading for his life. Blood dribbled down the corners of his chin, igniting the viciousness within me that clawed to be let loose. I pressed the edge of my dagger against his Adam’s apple.

“Put the dagger down, Princess.” The firm, gentle tone of Supreme Trainer Smokey Valor echoed in the lobby.

I spun to face him, keeping the dagger in place against Golden’s throat. “Come to take me back to my father, Smokey?”

Hair, the color of burnt ash, stood out against skin that resembled the shade of terra-cotta as he stepped into view.

“Princess,” he said, coming to stand a few paces away. “You need to let Golden go.”

Withdrawing my dagger from Golden’s throat, I turned to face the lead trainer. “Why should I?” I asked. “He wouldn’t hesitate to kill me.”

Smokey gave me a solemn dip of his head and glanced at Golden. “Because,” he started. “Killing him when he’s already defeated is not something you can easily come back from. He’s no longer a threat to you if you go now.” He sighed and then straightened his back. “You are everybit as strong as Chrome Freyr was…and it’s been an honor to train you, Princess.”

I shook my head. “That’s bullshit. No one compares to what he was. And even he was defeated in the end.” I shrugged.

“True.” Smokey cocked his head to the side. His thick, ashy brows leveled me with sadness. “I was there when you were born and have seen you grow into something your father fears. Now, go fly, Princess. Be free from his restraints and see it for yourself.”

“Wait,” I said, shifting my stance. “How were you there when I was born?”

“You need to leave,” he said, glancing at Golden. He would be a problem for Smokey after this.

I narrowed my eyes at him, waiting for the inevitable trap. This was too easy. Of all the outcomes I envisioned playing out, this was not one of them. I couldn’t figure out Smokey’s motive.

He sighed at my blatant skepticism. “The king ordered an entire garrison stationed out the side and back doors. You’re going to need to take an…unorthodox exit,” Smokey advised with a challenging look.

I knew what he meant by that. “Would this unorthodox exit require your auditory abilities?” I asked with a squinted eye.

The Supreme Trainer offered a knowing smirk. “Be ready to run through the front doors when I give you the signal,” he ordered.

Despite his instruction, I remained to observe his magic at work. Golden and the guard groaned and rasped with each breath. The reigning champion of the Kinetic Tournament knelt in a pool of his own blood that soiled his pride. His hatred was palpable.

Trainer Valor opened his mouth to speak, but rather than hearing his voice, my feminine tone left his lips instead. Smokey’s energetic magic derived from sound waves, so he could alter them to sound however he desired. I imagined it was a useful skill in battle.

Smokey projected my voice to come from the back hallway leading to therear emergency exit.

“I have to get out of here,” my fake voice said, breathless as if I were muttering to myself. “Fuck this hellhole.” Smokey cocked a grin at me, amused at his impersonation. Itwasan accurate depiction.

I remembered the duffel bag I’d dropped by the elevator and backed away to retrieve it, keeping my eyes on him.

“And fuck you, Father!” Trainer Valor made me yell, which I found to be overkill. I cringed before shooting him a deadpanned expression, to which he winked at me in return.

The Supreme Trainer fell silent, waiting for the garrison outside to follow the false trail. The emergency door screeched open and then banged shut. He opened his eyes—so much sadness and loss stuffed within—and gave me a curt nod.

I mouthed a silent thanks to the man who stood to gain nothing by helping me. He bowed at the waist in response. Lowering my head in acknowledgment, I bent to collect my duffle. Freedom couldn’t come fast enough.