Page 40

I rolled my shoulders, letting the soreness settle into my muscles. The last trial had been brutal, but I wasn’t done yet.

Because now?

Now it was time to fight.

I stepped into the training grounds, where a massive circular ring had been drawn into the dirt. The crowd was louder than before, warriors shouting bets, waiting to see who would fall first.

The announcer’s voice boomed across the field.

“For the third trial, each competitor will face an opponent chosen at random. The challenge is simple—win the fight.”

I barely heard the rest.

Because I already knew who I’d be fighting.

I felt him before I saw him.

Elias.

He stepped into the ring, stretching his arms, completely relaxed.

He smirked. “I was hoping it’d be you.”

I clenched my fists. Good.

Because I had been waiting for this too.

The announcer raised his hand.

“Begin!”

Elias moved first.

Fast.

He swung for my ribs, but I dodged, twisting out of reach. He barely missed me before shifting into a second attack, a quick knee aimed for my stomach.

I blocked, sliding backward to gain distance.

He smirked. “You’re fast.”

I smirked back. “You’re predictable.”

His eyes flashed.

Good. Let him get mad.

I circled him, light on my feet, waiting for my opening.

He lunged again—but this time, I was ready.

I twisted around his attack, hooked my leg behind his, and swept his feet out from under him.

He hit the ground, hard.

The crowd erupted.

Elias blinked up at me, momentarily stunned.

I smirked. “You good down there?”

His jaw tightened.

Then he kicked off the ground and launched himself forward.

This time, Elias didn’t hold back.

He came at me in a blur of movement, throwing punches, kicks, anything to break my guard.

I blocked. Deflected. Dodged.

His foot came up—aiming for my head.

I ducked, spinning low, and landed a sharp kick to his ribs.

He stumbled.

Not much, but enough.

He growled. “You think you can actually win?”

I smiled. “I don’t think. I know.”

He lunged again, but I was already moving.

I shifted my weight—redirected his own force against him—

And threw him to the ground.

Hard.

The breath whooshed out of him.

I dropped onto him in a blink, pinning him.

My arm pressed against his throat, just enough to keep him down.

“Yield,” I ordered.

Elias gritted his teeth.

The crowd was chanting my name now.

I leaned in slightly. “You lost. Say it.”

His green eyes burned.

Then—

He exhaled sharply.

“…Fine.” His voice was low. Frustrated. “I yield.”

The announcer’s voice boomed over the field.

“Luna Cassandra wins the match!”

I pushed off Elias, standing tall as the crowd roared.

Jack cheered the loudest. “That’s our Luna! Elias, buddy, you okay? That fall looked painful.”

Elias glared at him before pushing himself up, dusting off his shirt.

Then, to my surprise—he laughed.

I narrowed my eyes. “What’s so funny?”

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. “Nothing. Just didn’t think you’d actually win.”

Jack snorted. “Clearly, you don’t think much at all.”

Elias ignored him and looked back at me. “Guess I was wrong about you.”

I crossed my arms. “You’re wrong about a lot of things.”

His smirk returned. “We’ll see.”

Then he walked off, not looking back.

Jack muttered beside me. “I don’t trust him.”

I sighed. “Neither do I.”

Because I knew Elias wasn’t done with me yet.

And something told me the next time we fought… it wouldn’t be for sport.