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“Come on, Alex,” she murmured to herself. “You can do this. In a few hours you’ll be all done. Don’t let the butthead scare you.You can do this!”

“Do you need a push?”

Alex whirled around, embarrassed to find Kaiden watching her with undisguised amusement.

“Uh—no, thanks. I’m good,” she said, trying to stand a little taller.

“Let’s get in there, then,” he said, his blue eyes filled with laughter. “We wouldn’t want to be late for thebutthead.”

Alex felt her face flush and she quickly strode down the hill, hoping he wouldn’t notice her embarrassment. Too late, she realised, when she heard his quiet chuckle from behind her.

She entered the Arena with her head held high, determined not to show her fear to anyone else. The rest of her classmates were already there, stretching and talking quietly amongst themselves. She sat down near them—not too close—and began her own warm-up routine.

Ten minutes later Karter walked in and the six of them stood to attention.

“Today’s the day we find out how much you’ve learned this year,” he said without preamble. “Pair up.”

As usual, the group split in two, a pair of boys together—Brendan and Nick—and a group of three—Sebastian, Declan and Kaiden. Alex, as always, stayed on the outside and waited for further instructions.

“Are you deaf, Jennings?” Karter barked. “I saidpair up.”

“But—” she swallowed her protest when he turned the full force of his glare on her. He wasn’t really going to make her fight with them, was he? Her classmates had spent years learning how to attack and defend. She, on the other hand, had spent barely a few months learning how to duck and dodge as things flew at her face. There was simply no comparison.

Knowing she had little choice in the matter, Alex looked over at the boys, wondering who she should pair herself with. Their faces showed everything from contempt to curiosity, and it was clear that none of them wanted to be stuck with her.

She wasn’t sure how it happened—perhaps they’d noticed her miserable expression—but as she watched, Declan and Kaiden looked at each other in silent conversation and then began a paper-scissors-rock contest. Kaiden’s scissors cut Declan’s paper, causing the big guy to sigh in disappointment before he detached himself from the group and walked over to join Alex.

“Yousoowe me for this,” he told her in a whisper.

Alex nodded mutely, knowing that he was putting not just his grade on the line, but also his dignity.

And then she realised exactly what that meant.

Alex turned to look at her partner, taking in all six feet and four inches of pure muscle. She’d gone up against him once before and ended up unconscious. She wasn’t exactly excited about a repeat performance.

“Right,” Karter said, interrupting her internal freak-out. “This is a three-hour exam. The first hour and a half will focus on attack and defence. You’ll fight for fifteen-minute intervals with a three-minute break after each match to catch your breath and swap opponents.”

Alex swallowed nervously when she realised that meant she would have to fight all of her classmates at one stage or another.

“The last hour and a half will be something different,” Karter added vaguely, before further describing what they were about to do. “Your first three rounds are unarmed combat, followed by staff and finally sword. If your opponent overcomes you to the point that you admit defeat—or I admit it for you—then you’re out and you have to wait for the next round. Now find a space and get ready to begin.”

Alex gaped at him. Surely that wasn’t it? What about rules? Safety? Were they going to get any protective padding? Or at least a helmet?

“Do you need a push now?” Kaiden whispered as he walked past her. From anyone else she might have thought it was unnecessarily cruel, but she could see the compassion in his eyes. He, at least, understood that what Karter asked of her was impossible.

“Come on,” Declan murmured, indicating for her to follow him to a free space. “And don’t worry. I’ll go easy on you.”

“Don’t,” Alex said firmly.

He paused and turned around to look at her questioningly.

“Don’t go easy on me,” she told him, not wanting him to forfeit his grade for her. “Just do what you would normally do.”

“But… No offence and all, but I’ll probably hurt you,” he said, rubbing his neck awkwardly. His muscles flexed with the movement, hinting at the strength she already knew he commanded.

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” she said, mustering up a wry smile.

He laughed lightly before turning serious. “It’s not a fair fight.”