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Twenty-Five

Jordan stepped forward at Aven’s order. Alexhad been too focused on his face earlier to notice the cape he wore that concealed a sword belted to his waist. But she could see it clearly now, since Jordan had pulled it free.

“Don’t do this, Jordan,” Alex begged, stepping backwards as he continued to stalk towards her. “I won’t fight you.”

Her words meant nothing to him. His eyes were unfocused and his body obediently followed Aven’s orders. Alex knew exactly what that felt like—having no control, but being able to witness everything that was happening. More tears leaked out of her eyes at the thought of her friend trapped in his own mind while his body prepared to fight her, maybe even kill her.

“Do it now, Jordan,” Aven ordered louder. “I don’t have all day.”

“No, Jordan,” Alex said. “Don’t listen to him. Fight him!”

But her words were useless. Jordan’s eyes narrowed as he raised his sword a fraction and lunged towards her.

“No!” she cried, jumping out of the way. “Don’t!”

He came at her again, swiping his blade at her torso, and again she jumped away.

“I won’t fight you!” she repeated. “I won’t!”

“Then you’ll die quickly,” Jordan said, his voice devoid of emotion as he swung his weapon towards her neck.

It might have been his words, or the strength she could see behind his attack, but something within Alex shifted and a fierce resolve came over her. If she could make it out of Raelia alive, then she might be able to find a way to help him. Anything was possible; she was living proof of that. So, rather than avoiding his attack, Alex needed to disable him—hopefully without causing too much damage in the process.

“A’enara!” she yelled instinctively, and the glowing weapon appeared in her hand before she’d even finished calling its name. The ice-coloured blade—which was again the length of a sword—intercepted Jordan’s blow, with blue sparks flying furiously between them.

Alex barely heard Aven’s enraged growl as she focused on defending against Jordan’s next strike.

Her friend was rated Delta in Combat. That was only one level down from Alex, and he’d been taking the class for years. He was more than capable with his blade. But he now also had Aven’s Claim on him, supplementing his strength, speed and skill. It also didn’t help that, while half of Alex’s mind was concentrating on staying alive, the other half was trying to come up with a plan to get Jordan out of there in one piece. So far, both halves were at a loss for ideas.

“Stop playing around, Jordan,” Aven ordered. “Finish her.”

Alex frowned at the Meyarin’s words. But then she jerked in surprise when Jordan disappeared, using his gift to make himself—and his weapon—invisible. Only a deep-rooted survival instinct caused Alex to raise A’enara in time to intercept Jordan’s sword when she sensed his attempt to slice her in two.

Definitely not good.

“That’s more like it,” Aven called out smugly.

Concentrate, Alex told herself.Concentrate or you’ll die. Concentrate or Bear and D.C. will die, too. Concentrate or you won’t be able to help Jordan.

Remembering her blindfolded fight with Roka, Alex closed her eyes and let go of everything else to focus on the power within her. It was waiting for her, just under the surface, welcoming her acceptance like a warm embrace.

She opened her eyes again when she felt the air move around her and she raised her weapon, blocking Jordan’s invisible attack. Again he lunged at her, and again she defended. She jumped when she felt his leg swing out to trip her, and she kicked out towards where she thought his torso was while he was undefended. Her foot landed hard and she heard him stumble backwards with an “ooof” sound.

When he came at her again, she was ready for him. But rather than letting him continue to attack her, she made the first move, beginning a quick series of swipes and lunges for him to defend against. The problem was that she didn’t want to hurt him, which severely restricted her ability to incapacitate him. Unlike when she’d fought Roka, Jordan washuman. It was difficult to injure or kill a Meyarin, but humans were much more vulnerable.

That was why having the upper hand in the fight didn’t turn out so well for Alex. The moment her blade skimmed lightly across where she thought Jordan’s forearm was and he hissed in pain, Alex hesitated. Her sword stilled in the air when Jordan became visible again, clutching at his bleeding arm.

“You wounded me,” he panted, exhausted from the fight as well as having to maintain his transcended state. “For that you will die.”

“Listen to yourself!” Alex cried. “That’s not you speaking, it’s Aven! Resist him!”

“Enough!” Aven roared, striding over to where they stood. His infuriated glare could have set the snow on fire. “How are you are able to fight an invisible opponent?”

She stilled at his question, recalling Roka’s warnings to not let Aven discover the truth of her blood status. “I’ve been practising,” she said evasively.

“Answer me!”

“I did,” Alex replied, remaining as deliberately vague as possible.