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He gathered himself and ran for the next-largest obstacle, a three-foot-high wall, and threw himself over the top of it. Unfortunately, Adam wasn’t on the other side, which would’ve made things nice and easy. Vadim took a second to check out the condition of his shoulder, where a tunnel of flesh had been gouged out. There was very little bleeding. For some reason, his thumb was far worse. He sucked it into his mouth and healed it. Because of his opponent’s power, his shoulder would have to wait for some more serious magical healing. It was a nuisance, but any major wounds he inflicted on the sect would have the same longevity.

“Dude, where are you?”

Behind the laconic question, Ella’s voice was tinged with a hint of anxiety.

“I’m fine. The bald one is out cold.”He hesitated.“Why do you care?”

“Of course I care!”

“After that performance yesterday?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Morosov, lighten up! I’m trying to save your ass here!”

“And why is that?”

The silence seemed to go on forever.

“Because after that comment, I want to be the one to kill you myself?”

“I’m up for that.”

“Awesome. By the way, Red’s devious, Blondie is worse, and impatient with it, and you already know Adam will do anything to win. I don’t think they’re strong enough to take you individually, although I’m not sure what will happen if they work in pairs.”

“Thanks.”

She sounded pissed but remarkably professional. At this point, he’d take it. He took a peep around the edge of the wall. There was no sign of anyone among the ruins, only the acrid scent of burning. Where had the bald guy’s body gone? He should’ve tried to secure it in some way.

“You should’ve killed him outright.”Her voice was hard.“None of them will give you a break, remember that.”

“You said he was the weakest. I thought to keep him alive and make him talk.”

“If you insist on having a confession, it’ll have to come from Adam. No one else will be believed.”

“At this point, I’ll take whatever I can get.”

He opened all his senses and caught a hint of movement and heat to his right. A flame flicked out from among the rubble, followed by an unearthly growl. As the elongated form of a black dragon slithered around the corner, Vadim’s hand closed around a large chunk of fallen stone. Glistening red eyes fastened on his, and the dragon took off, heading straight for his face. Bringing back his arm, Vadim launched his missile, imbuing it with deathly magic that made it glow like burning sulphur.

With a horrific screech the dragon fell backward, his wing and chest caved in by the force of the blow. Vadim didn’t stop to watch the creature come to ground. It was still capable of damaging him with its sharp teeth. He doubted anyone was going to bind up his hurts as they’d done for Ella. He sized up a half-fallen tower about forty feet away and ran toward that, aware of Ella in his mind, sharing his ordeal and lending her aid.

As magic crackled around him, setting the air on fire, he leaped the last few feet into the tower and hurriedly climbed the stairs to the top. It didn’t give him much advantage, but at least he’d have a wider view of the field.

“Why do they keep saving me?”

Ella’s voice was in his head. He leaned against the curved wall, breathing hard, and surveyed his surroundings. Down below, the dragon lay unmoving, a blackened shape draped over a low marble base.

“Does it really matter right now?”

“If I’m dead, you’d stop fighting.”

“Like hell I would.”He registered the glint of a sword tip behind the pillar directly in front of the tower.“Can we talk about this afterward? I’m rather busy.”

“But I have a feeling it’s important.”

“Well, let me know how that goes for you. Can you see anyone near the half-ruined leaning tower?”

“Only you at the top.Wait. Red’s opposite you at ground level.”

“Where’s everyone else?”