Page 1 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)

GADRIEL

T he sun shines brightly in through the large open window across from me as I stalk forward, watching my opponent’s nimble movements as we circle each other. I twist my sword in my hand, my gaze never leaving her as she mirrors my move.

Her light green eyes narrow, a glimmer of excitement glistening in her gaze as she inches nearer. Her movements are lithe, her steps trained and silent as she watches me, waiting for an opening ... a predator in every sense of the word.

Her soft blonde locks sway with the wind as she moves and shine lightly against the rays of sun flickering into the room like threads of white gold. An almost angelic presence to her appearance.

It’s a stark contrast to the blade in her grasp that is ready to strike out at me at any given moment and the dark glint for blood in her eyes.

She isn’t to be underestimated.

She would gladly watch me bleed for her victory ... and has many a time.

I grip my long dagger tightly between my fingers.

I won’t let my guard down. I won’t lose to her this time. And I will remove the patronising smirk from her lips soon enough.

Her smile grows knowingly before she darts forward, the blade of her sword coming down on mine as we finally clash.

Adriena’s smirk grows larger on her lips as she pulls back suddenly before swinging her sword again toward me. She continues her barrage of attacks, each one meant to wear me down until I reveal a weakness so she can deal a final blow.

But I was too aware of this familiar tactic. And wouldn’t allow her to have her way this time.

I take the brunt of her strength as she continues her fierce attacks.

She then switches tactics, seeing her strategy not working, and tries to catch me off-guard, aiming a blow toward my ribcage. I take the hit and land my own blow to her right shoulder.

She jumps back, surprise flickering across her features for the briefest of seconds before she charges toward me again.

I tamper down the sharp ache forming in my side as she once again goes on the attack. I aim for her right side, but she dodges my move with ease, her eyes like a knowing hawk and her blades at the ready to counter me.

Her skills are still just as powerful and as elegant as I remember; each movement is calculated with a sophistication most warriors lack.

She embodies the grace of our kind with ease. Which is why she holds such respect even from our elders.

She twists around again, her blade almost catching my cheek with its tip as my thoughts stray.

“Don’t let your mind wander when you’re in battle, Gal.”

My eyes narrow at the childhood nickname as Adriena’s grin widens.

I dash forward, on the attack, as she spins and flips from each of my hits, her movements agile and effortless and look almost as if she is dancing.

It reminds me of another form, one that has been playing on my mind ever since I left the academy. Micai’s.

My mind wanders to her bright blue eyes, her soft rose-gold locks, and the look of determination and genuine excitement in her gaze each time we train together. One I’m sure I mirror more with each moment we spend together.

I have missed our time training and sparring with one another and being able to watch her strength and abilities surpass even what I thought was possible. Micai bears the true soul and strength of a warrior.

I hope she’s well with her family, receiving some reprieve from the treatment she’s had to suffer from the students there.

And that representative, Verod ... I grip my sword tighter, my knuckles turning white with the force as annoyance and anger grows in me from the memory. Had she not held me back that day ... I would no longer be welcomed in the academy for what I would have done to him.

I’m pulled from my memory too late as Adriena’s blade comes toward me.

I dodge as quickly as I can, but her sword’s edge catches my arm, leaving a gash that begins to quickly bleed.

Adriena halts her movements, her eyes slightly widening toward the cut forming on my bicep. She stands straight, her eyes narrowing between me and my arm.

“You seem too distracted these days, Gal.” She sheathes her sword and walks toward me, her eyes meeting mine with a softer look forming in them. “It’s unlike you.”

She takes a small white silken cloth from her trousers and places it over the open wound. “Has something been bothering you?” She quirks a brow. “Or someone ?”

My eyes widen a mere fraction before I quickly school my expression. But a brief moment is all she needs, her eyes peering into me as if she can see my every thought.

“Why would you think that?” I shake my head. It cannot be.

“I just became distracted ...” A small grin plays on my lips. “Or maybe your skills are finally improving?”

A hearty laugh falls from her lips, her eyes curving into soft crescents.

“As if I haven’t beaten you hundreds of times before, little brother. Where do you think you get your great skills from?” A prideful grin traces her lips as her hand pats her chest, her golden-tipped nails gleaming with the motion. “You learned from the best.”

A small chuckle leaves my lips. I couldn’t argue with her.

Adriena was one of the most powerful warriors I knew, matching even our mother’s fierce skills. She was also in line to become the next Matriarch of our Valor Clan. And rightfully so.

There were four years between us in age, but it did not matter. Adriena and I had been an inseparable pair since childhood, having a close sibling bond almost like twins. She could always read my emotions and thoughts with just a look, and I to her.

“I can tell something is on your mind, brother ...” She tilts her head, her gaze probing. “Something that you’re trying to bury deep inside you, but for what reason, I do not know.” A crease forms in her brow as she leans closer. “Why do you hide it even from me, little Gal?”

Because it’s not something I should speak of or be feeling.

The words sit on the tip of my tongue, wishing to break free, her beautiful name forming in the curves of my mouth as I look into my elder sister’s inquisitive gaze.

My thoughts and dreams have been plagued with Micai’s smile, with her slender hands, her deep and soulful gaze, and her resolve and spirit unlike any I have ever met before.

She haunts my thoughts every day, coming to me with even the smallest of things: a sweet floral scent, the blades I clean and sharpen, and the light sound of soft bells that instantly remind me of her gentle laughter ... I cannot remove her from my mind.

Even when I sleep, I dream of her. Her voice more vivid in my ears and her blue eyes depthless as they call for me.

But how can I feel such emotions and be consumed with such thoughts of her? Of my own student?

A heavy sigh leaves my lips as I walk over to the weapons rack in our sparring room and sheath my sword.

But Micai is definitely different from all the other students I have. Infinitely so.

She has a strength and maturity unlike the others around her and a spirit that seemed older than the eighteen years she holds.

I am at least six years older in age, and yet, I feel a kindred spirit in her.

I feel a strange connection that tugs me along and has me taking just one step closer when she’s nearby.

But I shouldn’t feel that way. I couldn’t.

I need to rid myself of these emotions while I still can.

I am her mentor, her teacher. I should watch her grow, help her reach the full potential she has inside her, and protect her where I can.

I could not step beyond my means and reach for a bond that is not mine to have.

If we were Fated it would be different. But things like that are a blessing only given to the most worthy ... and a gift from the Gods.

An ache swells from my chest as my gaze falls to the floor with the thought.

I bite back all the words and thoughts begging to be free, pushing them down once again to bury them deep within me.

My gaze turns toward the open window behind Adriena and out to the open green forests surrounding our clan’s home. I make my way over, laying my hands on the sill as I take in the miles of beautiful green forests and lakes around me.

I take a slow, deep breath, pulling myself together once again as Adriena reaches me. I turn around to her, meeting her worried gaze.

“I will be fine, sister. My thoughts are just muddled.”

The worry lingers in her eyes as she places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“Is it because of the academy?” Her blonde brows cinch downward, her unease growing. “Have you found something? Or is someone there causing you to worry like this?”

I shake my head. “No one questions my reasons for being there, and no one in the faculty stands out or seems suspicious ...”

My brows narrow. “But there have been some strange things happening as of late.” I meet her gaze.

“The academy’s barrier has weakened, and the students have been attacked by crazed beasts on multiple accounts .

.. and for no understandable reason, the creatures themselves being unusual .

They were different from the magical beasts that roam in the depths of our forests, Adriena, their sense of being and intelligence gone. ”

A sigh escapes my lips as I drag a hand though my hair, worry pulling at me with the memory of those crazed beasts’ eyes.

Adriena’s gaze turns steely. “For one of the oldest and most powerful barriers to fall ... it seems our sources were right to point us in the academy’s direction.”

I nod as Adriena’s eyes turn my way, the grit in her gaze fading.

“Be careful, Gadriel. There have been many whispers circulating through the clan of the shadows growing in our world, of darkness spreading. Whispers of their claws reaching out further than before and poisoning the minds of those in the clans are rampant among the spirits.”