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“Because he shoved me into one,” Scarlett replied, anger seeping into her tone.

“You shoved yourself into one and refuse to let yourself back out,” Nuri snapped.

Scarlett lunged at Nuri, initiating their next sparring match, and nearly tripped on her long gown.

“You wouldn’t have to wear such things at the Fellowship,” Nuri said with a smirk. “Just saying.”

“Tell me why you’re here, Nuri,” Scarlett ground out as she blocked Nuri’s thrust.

“He has an assignment for you,” she said, ducking to avoid Scarlett’s next move. She swiped out with her foot, and Scarlett jumped her attempt to knock her to the ground.

“You cannot be serious?” Scarlett whirled and thrust out with her sword.

“I would not joke about something like this,” Nuri replied as she shoved back against Scarlett’s block. “And neither would he. In fact, he has sent the assignment with a very enticing payment when completed.”

“I do not need any further funds fromhim,” Scarlett seethed. “I need nothing from him, not anymore.”

“He knows this. Which is why he offers something else,” Nuri said. The girls were both breathing hard, equally skilled in almost every way. “Gods, it’s been an age since I’ve sparred with anyone of worth.” Nuri’s grin was one of wicked delight as they moved around the ring in a dance of maneuvers that can only come from intense training and practice.

“Apparently, I’m not as out of practice as one thought then,” Scarlett managed to get out between breaths.

“I mean, you’re still not at your best, but your mediocre is still better than most of those at the Fellowship,” Nuri said, somehow managing to shrug as she said it.

“Whatever,” Scarlett muttered, landing a blow with her foot to the girl’s stomach.

Nuri laughed as she held up her hands to stop the match. “A truce then, Sister. We do need to discuss this assignment.”

“You can tell the Assassin Lord he can take hisassignmentand shove it up his—”

“You haven’t even heard what he is offering you yet, Scarlett,and trust me. When you hear what he is offering for payment, I think you will change your mind.”

“I highly doubt that.”

Nuri closed the distance between them again and lowered her voice. “He has learned who hired Dracon.”

“I know who hired Dracon. I know who ordered my mother killed. We discovered that shortly after we took out Dracon,” Scarlett replied lethally.

“But he knows how to find him and will aid you in ending him.”

Scarlett nearly dropped her sword to the dirt floor of the training building. “He is lying.”

“He is not, Scarlett.” Nuri’s honey-colored eyes were fixed on her. “He knows, and he will tell you if you agree to and complete this assignment. He also said that if you agree to the assignment, you will be allowed back into the Syndicate to train and utilize our resources.”

“Did he tell you?”

“He’s not stupid,” Nuri drawled. “He knows I would tell you even if he forbade it.”

“Who is the assignment?”

“I am not to say anything unless you agree first.”

“Why? Am I to kill you that I must agree to such terms?”

“Of course not,” Nuri snapped. “Not that you could.”

“We both know that’s not true.”

“I don’t think we know that at all.”