Marcus was making his announcement to the crowd, but neither Allyra nor Jason ever took their eyes off each other, his words lost to them both.
It was unnecessary to listen to him, the rules were simple enough; they were to fight, until one of them was unable to continue.
There was a wildness thrumming through her blood as Allyra prepared herself for a long and arduous fight. They were well matched; she probably had the advantage physically, but not being able to call on anything but Air meant Jason had the advantage of being able to call on Fire.
Drumbeats filled the air, solid and deep, reverberating in her chest. It was wild and thunderous, a call for blood, worlds away from her previous life. Marcus’ voice rose above the beating rhythm, calling out for them to begin. At his signal, the crowd fell silent in anticipation.
Jason made the first move, darting forwards, his eyes filled with nothing but seething hate, the drunken honesty from the previous night long faded. He swung his blade at her head with lethal speed and accuracy, forcing her to duck as it whistled over her.
If she had any doubt left about his willingness to kill her, it was dissipated by that first swing of his sword. She was under no illusions that had it made contact, his sword would’ve taken her head clean off her neck.
A column of fire burst up in front of her, forcing her to step around it. She remembered Jamie’s words of warning and made sure not to turn her back against it. Only her Gifted agility saved her.
Allyra had more natural ability, but Jason was experienced and precise, able to combine physical and elemental attacks effortlessly.
Moves and countermoves, fluid and without hesitation, together they weaved a deadly dance whose steps were known only to them. Time lost its meaning, the sound of the crowd distant and forgotten. Her entire world was made up of Jason and the two swords he held in his hands.
For every hit or kick she landed, she received one in return. It became a test of endurance. Allyra welcomed it; confident Jason would tire before her.
Time passed.
Jason had stopped using Fire against her. His swings had become less accurate and his elegant face was marred by sweat and blood. The signs of his exhaustion were more than welcome – her arms felt like rubber and her legs were shaky beneath her.
Allyra blocked another swing of Jason’s blade and delivered a kick to his ribs, sending him peddling backwards. As she pressed forward carelessly, he swung his other blade and its tip caught her left wrist, making her drop her sword.
Allyra dropped into a roll, trying to reach for her sword. Immediately, she knew going to ground was a mistake.
Never give up higher ground.
Jason landed a kick to the side of her head, scattering an explosion of stars in her eyes. She collapsed and he was on her, stamping down on her right hand, forcing her drop her other sword. Weaponless, she could only lie on the ground as he held one sword to her throat and pulled the other high up above her.
Allyra watched as it came down slowly, the sun made brighter as it reflected off the sharp edge. She was about to die without ever finding the answers to the questions that haunted her. Worse, she imagined Alex’s disappointment at her failure to keep her promise.
Jason brought his sword down with barely controlled fury, driving it through her shoulder, deep into the ground. Agony invaded her, every nerve lighting up with it, until she was nothing but pain.
She screamed in anguish.
The crowd fell silent, waiting for her to concede, but she couldn’t, not when she promised Alex she’d win. Jason twisted the blade in her shoulder and she screamed again. Allyra heard her own flesh tearing and felt her blood flowing, warm and thick, seeping into the ground beneath her.
Her vision wavered, slipping in and out of focus, darkening on the edges. It wouldn’t be long before she lost her grip on consciousness. She bit down hard on her lip trying to force herself to remain conscious, her mind desperately searching for a way out. The hot, metallic tang of blood slipped down her throat.
Her mind struggled to comprehend the agony. The pain was overwhelming, fracturing her mind’s defenses. Jason leant over her and as he moved closer, she saw a look of pain on his face. Her confused mind wondered why he would be in pain. His dark blue eyes swam out of focus and for a second she saw Alex over her.
“Help me.” She pleaded and he nodded briefly, concern written over his handsome face. Then he faded away, replaced by Jason once more.
“I have to do it.” Jason whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse and raw with pain. “You told me we always have a choice and I’m making mine. I have to make it right. He can’t use you if you’re dead.”
Jason was still whispering, but she was beyond hearing him now. Even as she struggled to maintain her hold on awareness, her mind welcomed the darkness that unconsciousness offered. As she wavered on the razor edge of darkness, she felt the Tigers burn beneath her skin and the shining connection to Alex tightened and grew taunt. A tiny trickle of warmth flowed through the connection, starting in her wrist, beneath the tattoo and then surging through her veins with every beat of her heart.
It was just enough to sharpen her mind.
Get up.
Alex’s voice was calm, a steady presence in the stormy seas.
Get up. You can do this.
His conviction was absolute, and it flowed into her. Allyra realized, yes, somehow, she did have the strength.
Jason was
