But Kell knew it wasn’t simply hanging.
Lila was pushing against it. Trying to overpower Rul’s element the way she had with his. But he’d let her then, he’d stopped fighting; Rul, momentarily stunned, now redoubled his efforts. Lila’s boots slid back along the stone ground as she pushed on the disk with all her force.
The arena itself seemed to tremble, and the wind picked up as the magicians fought will to will.
Between Lila and Rul, the earthen disk shuddered. Through the looking scope, Kell could see her limbs shaking, her body curved forward with the strain.
Let go! He wanted to shout. But Lila kept pushing.
You stubborn fool, he thought as Rul summoned a burst of strength, lifted his fiery sword, and threw it. The blade went wide, but the flame must have snagged Lila’s attention because she faltered, just enough, and the still-suspended rock shield stuttered forward and caught her in the leg. A glancing blow, but hard enough.
The tenth plate shattered.
The match was over.
The crowd erupted, and Rul let out a howl of victory, but Kell’s attention was still on Lila, who stood there, arms at her side, head tipped back, looking strangely peaceful.
Until the moment she swayed, and collapsed.
IV
Kell was already moving through his room when the judge’s voice spilled through the ring, calling for a medic.
He’d warned her. Over and over, he’d warned her.
Kell had his knife in his hand before he reached the door to the second chamber, Hastra on his heels. Staff tried to block the way, but Kell was faster, stronger, and he was in the alcove before the guards could stop him.
“As Staro,” he said, sealing the door shut behind him and drawing the symbol while Staff pounded on the wood.
“As Tascen.”
The palace fell away, replaced by the tournament tent.
“The victory goes to Rul,” announced the judge as Kell surged out of Kamerov’s quarters and into Lila’s. He got there as two attendants lowered her onto a sofa, a third working to undo her helmet. They started at the sight of him and went pale.
“Out,” said Kell. “All of you.”
The first two retreated instantly, but the third—a female priest—ignored him as she freed the hinged pieces of the demon’s mask from Lila’s head and set them aside. Beneath, her face was ghostly white, dark veins tracing her temples and twin streams of blackish red running from her nose. The priest rested a hand against her face, and a moment later her eyes fluttered open. A dozen oaths bubbled up, but Kell held his tongue. He held it as she drew a stilted breath and dragged herself into a sitting position, held it as she rolled her head and flexed her fingers, and lifted a cloth to her nose.
“You can go, Ister,” she said, wiping away the blood.
Kell held his tongue as long as he could, but the moment the priest was gone, he lost it.
“I warned you!” he shouted. Lila winced, touching a hand to her temple.
“I’m fine,” she muttered.
Kell made a stifled sound. “You collapsed in the ring!”
“It was a hard match,” she said getting to her feet, trying and failing to hide her unsteadiness.
“How could you be so stupid?” he snapped, his voice rising. “You’re bleeding black. You play with magic as if it were a game. You don’t even understand the rules. Or worse, you decide there are none. You go stomping through the world, doing whatever the hell you please. You’re careless. Senseless. Reckless.”
“Keep it down, you two,” said Rhy, striding in, Vis and Tolners at his back. “Kell, you shouldn’t be here.”
Kell ignored him and addressed the guards. “Lock her up.”
“For what?” growled Lila.
“Calm down, Kell,” said Rhy.
“For being an impostor.”
Lila scoffed. “Oh, you’re one to tal—”
Kell slammed her back into the tent pole, crushing her mouth with his hand. “Don’t you dare.” Lila didn’t fight back. She went still as stone, mismatched eyes boring into him. There was a wildness to them, and he thought she might actually be afraid, or at least shocked. And then he felt the knife pressed against his side.
And the look in her eyes said that if it weren’t for Rhy, she would have stabbed him.
The prince held up his hand. “Stasion,” he said, addressing Lila as he took Kell’s shoulder. “Please.” She lowered the knife, and Rhy wrenched Kell backward with Tolners’ help.
“You never listen. You never think. Having power is a responsibility, Lila, one you clearly don’t deserve.”
“Kell,” warned Rhy.
“Why are you defending her?” he snapped, rounding on his brother. “Why am I the only one in this fucking world to be held accountable for my actions?”
They just stared at him, the prince and the guards, and Lila, she had the nerve to smile. It was a grim, defiant smile, marred by the dark blood still streaking her face.