Page 149 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

“Do you know why she’s here?” he asked, his dark gaze locked on mine.

“No,” I whispered. “I had no idea.”

“Let it play out,” he said quietly. “If she contacts you, find out why she’s here.”

I nodded, pulse racing. Solei was cunning, and strategic—if she was walking through the castle grounds, she had a reason. One that probably wasn’t good.

Zander straightened and stepped back. “Cade,” he called out, “Watch the Thralls for me. I’ll be back shortly.”

Cade’s grin widened as he approached us. “You got it, sir.”

I let out a breath as Zander strode off the mats, his dark leather armor fading into the crowd. My eyes flicked toward the edge of the grounds, but I couldn’t spot Solei. Whatever she was planning, she didn’t want to be seen.

“Rebec!” Cade barked. “Pay attention.”

I snapped my focus back to the ring just in time to see Naia circle Cade. He was guiding her with sharp instructions, correcting her footing and timing her strikes. His advice was blunt, but effective, and Naia was sharper because of it. I got caught up in the match, drawn into the rhythm of their movements, almost forgetting about Solei—almost.

I didn’t notice Major Kaler approaching until his shadow fell over me.

“Prospect Rebec,” he said coldly. “Come with me.”

I stiffened, glancing quickly toward Cade, but he was too focused on Naia to notice.

“Now,” Major Kaler snapped.

The major’s heavy steps echoed on the stone as I followed him toward Iron Fang’s training ring. My mind was spinning, questions racing, but I kept quiet. I had a bad feeling about whatever this was, and I wasn’t about to give Major Kaler the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.

When we stopped, Perin was already waiting inside the ring, a wicked grin curling on his lips. The curved knife he held gleamed menacingly in the afternoon sun.

“As a new squad leader,” Major Kaler announced, his voice loud enough to draw attention from nearby cadets, “Perin has the right to challenge any member of Fourth Guild. He chose you.” His gaze flicked to me, cold and emotionless. “Weapons are permitted. Draw first blood and the match ends. Simple.”

I swallowed hard as I stepped into the ring, pulling the rapier Zander had given me from its sheath. The slender blade felt balanced in my grip, a reminder that Zander had believed I could hold my own—and I’d damn well prove him right.

Perin’s grin widened. “This won’t take long.”

We began to circle, my eyes locked on his knife, reading the subtle shifts in his weight. He moved like a snake—smooth, fluid, and predatory. His blade glinted as he feinted left, then lashed out to the right. I barely dodged in time, twisting away from the strike. My pulse hammered in my chest.

“What’s going on?” Cade’s voice rang out.

“The new squad leader challenged Prospect Rebec,” Major Kaler answered dismissively. “It’s her duty to accept.”

“She just needs a cut,” Perin sneered. “Surely she can recover from that.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” Cade snapped.

“This isn’t a game. It’s the law of the guild,” the major shot back.

Perin lunged again, faster this time. I deflected his blade with my rapier, the clang of metal ringing in my ears. He was stronger than me, but I was quicker on my feet.

Stay balanced,I reminded myself.He’s overconfident.

Perin grinned like he knew exactly what I was thinking. His knife flashed upward—fast and precise—and I stumbled back just in time to avoid the blade slashing across my throat. His smug grin widened.

“Almost lost your pretty head,” he taunted.

But he’d overreached. His balance faltered—just slightly—and I shifted my weight, pivoting low and fast. My blade shot out, slicing across his ankle. The cut was shallow but enough to draw blood.

Perin staggered back with a sharp hiss, clutching his ankle as crimson seeped through his boot.