“Then you’ll die quickly,” Jordan said, his voice devoid of emotion as he swung his weapon towards her neck.
It might have been his words, or the strength she could see behind his attack, but something within Alex shifted and a fierce resolve came over her. If she could make it out of Raelia alive, then she might be able to find a way to help him. Anything was possible; she was living proof of that. So, rather than avoiding his attack, Alex needed to disable him—hopefully without causing too much damage in the process.
“A’enara!” she yelled instinctively, and the glowing weapon appeared in her hand before she’d even finished calling its name. The ice-coloured blade—which was again the length of a sword—intercepted Jordan’s blow, with blue sparks flying furiously between them.
Alex barely heard Aven’s enraged growl as she focused on defending against Jordan’s next strike.
Her friend was rated Delta in Combat. That was only one level down from Alex, and he’d been taking the class for years. He was more than capable with his blade. But he now also had Aven’s Claim on him, supplementing his strength, speed and skill. It also didn’t help that, while half of Alex’s mind was concentrating on staying alive, the other half was trying to come up with a plan to get Jordan out of there in one piece. So far, both halves were at a loss for ideas.
“Stop playing around, Jordan,” Aven ordered. “Finish her.”
Alex frowned at the Meyarin’s words. But then she jerked in surprise when Jordan disappeared, using his gift to make himself—and his weapon—invisible. Only a deep-rooted survival instinct caused Alex to raise A’enara in time to intercept Jordan’s sword when she sensed his attempt to slice her in two.
Definitely not good.
“That’s more like it,” Aven called out smugly.
Concentrate, Alex told herself. Concentrate or you’ll die. Concentrate or Bear and D.C. will die, too. Concentrate or you won’t be able to help Jordan.
Remembering her blindfolded fight with Roka, Alex closed her eyes and let go of everything else to focus on the power within her. It was waiting for her, just under the surface, welcoming her acceptance like a warm embrace.
She opened her eyes again when she felt the air move around her and she raised her weapon, blocking Jordan’s invisible attack. Again he lunged at her, and again she defended. She jumped when she felt his leg swing out to trip her, and she kicked out towards where she thought his torso was while he was undefended. Her foot landed hard and she heard him stumble backwards with an “ooof” sound.
When he came at her again, she was ready for him. But rather than letting him continue to attack her, she made the first move, beginning a quick series of swipes and lunges for him to defend against. The problem was that she didn’t want to hurt him, which severely restricted her ability to incapacitate him. Unlike when she’d fought Roka, Jordan was human. It was difficult to injure or kill a Meyarin, but humans were much more vulnerable.
That was why having the upper hand in the fight didn’t turn out so well for Alex. The moment her blade skimmed lightly across where she thought Jordan’s forearm was and he hissed in pain, Alex hesitated. Her sword stilled in the air when Jordan became visible again, clutching at his bleeding arm.
“You wounded me,” he panted, exhausted from the fight as well as having to maintain his transcended state. “For that you will die.”
“Listen to yourself!” Alex cried. “That’s not you speaking, it’s Aven! Resist him!”
“Enough!” Aven roared, striding over to where they stood. His infuriated glare could have set the snow on fire. “How are you are able to fight an invisible opponent?”
She stilled at his question, recalling Roka’s warnings to not let Aven discover the truth of her blood status. “I’ve been practising,” she said evasively.
“Answer me!”
“I did,” Alex replied, remaining as deliberately vague as possible.
He took a menacing step forward but then froze, tilting his head as if listening to something only he could hear.
“No,” he breathed, his eyes quickly looking around the clearing until they fell on his companion. “Calista, stay here and keep them occupied for as long as you can. Then come and find us.”
The woman nodded and turned her focus back to D.C. and Bear who remained suspended in the air.
“You,” Aven said to Alex, capturing her in his burning gaze. “You’re coming with us.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Alex argued, raising her blade defiantly.
Aven didn’t so much as blink as he said, “Jordan.”
Alex dreaded the thought of continuing the fight with her best friend. But this time Aven’s order had a different meaning, and she discovered his intent a moment too late when Jordan reached out to grasp the Meyarin’s shoulder and they both dis She wasn’t quick enough to tap into her new senses again before both her hands were yanked behind her back and her sword was forced from her grip. A’enara disappeared immediately and she hissed at the pain of her arms being tugged almost out of their sockets. Before she could so much as cry out, the pommel of Jordan’s sword smashed into her temple.
She was unconscious before she hit the snow-covered ground.
A stinging pain forced Alex back to half-consciousness, and a second sharp slap to her face woke her completely.
Ouch.
She opened her eyes and winced at the throbbing pulse beating through her skull. Aven stood directly above where she lay in the icy snow, looking down at her with flared nostrils.
“The reason you’re still alive is because I need an answer. If you tell me quickly, I’ll be merciful and end your life just as fast. If you delay, I’ll take great delight in prolonging your pain.”
“At least one of us will be happy,” Alex slurred. “That’s something.”
Clearly her damaged head was affecting her judgement. Note to self: don’t antagonise the murderous psychopath.
Aven snarled at her.
Oops. Too late.
“Answer me!” he demanded loudly, causing Alex to wince in discomfort.
“It might have escaped your notice, but I can barely remember my own name after that sucker punch, let alone what I’m supposed to be answering,” Alex said. “And where are we, anyway?”
They weren’t in Raelia anymore, that much she could tell. But judging by the colour of the forest surrounding them they were still somewhere in the Silverwood.
“How did you fight Jordan when you couldn’t see him?” Aven repeated his question, barely reining in his temper.
“You didn’t tell me where we are,” Alex singsonged. “Quid pro quo?”
Before she could draw a startled breath, Jordan was kneeling beside her in the snow with the point of his sword resting against her windpipe. “Answer him!” he growled.