Page 24

I took turns with my baton and my fist. They dodged each one, their footing growing lopsided with every wave.

There was my opening.

I motioned my body as if I was going to swing again, but at the last minute, changed my stance and lowered. The roundhouse kick landed swiftly and forced them to crash onto the ground. Before they could move, I hauled their body backward onto the gazebo’s posts.

Metal clanked as their head bobbed. I released the baton, my hands twisting their arms and locking them against their back.

Katerina.

“Who sent you?” I shouted overherwhisper. I pushed their body deeper into the post, their breathing jagged. “Tell me!”

My finger trailed to the mask that hid their face.

Sudden pain reverberated against my knees, my muscles buckling as I tried to regain my balance. The figure escaped my loose hold and dashed. I couldn’t even think about running behind them as a foot traveled my way.

I stopped its strike and pushed the new body against the gazebo, their baton sliding across the grounds.

There were two assailants?

I searched through the surrounding area. Guardians were posted along the closed gates.

How were they able to enter?

The new assailant towered across from me as they steadied themselves.

And where was my fucking backup?

This time, I didn’t wait. I launched my attack, twisting the fight under my leash. The assailant was swift as they responded with effortless counterattacks. Our motions fell into a routine we naturally agreed to.

You’ve grown weak.

That wasn’t good enough.

They switched to offense and jabbed, fists pounding against mine as I defended. My neck rolled, a snap echoing along the wind and reviving the fire that had dimmed. My attacks grew sharper. Fiercer. Sloppier.

Prove to me, Katerina.

I needed to do more to ensure they wouldn’t be able to get up after this.

Prove to me that you’re stronger.

Everything grew blurry while my eyes tried to focus.

I had to do something.

An itch roamed along my fingers until it reached my nails, a sudden energy coursing underneath my skin.

That you aren’t what you fear most.

A ringing echoed in my ears.

I had to—

Nails slashed through thick fabric with each motion. A sweet, metallic scent saturated my thoughts.

Me.

The sudden burst of energy exploded, and the ringing blared against my eardrums.