rhead, casting sharp shadows on the worn fighting ring at the center of the field. Dozens of recruits gathered around, their expressi

ess had no

earth. The ground beneath her boots was rough, uneven, and packed solid fr

's voice rang out, s

e up. Your op

ried weight. Talon wasn't just any opponent-he was the son of a pow

golden eyes gleamed with something akin to amusement, but beneath it

than ever. She was going to teach him a lesson more like make

xing his fingers as he cracked his

satisfaction of seeing hesitation. She shifted her stanc

flickered to the sideli

was wa

d across his chest. His expression was calm-too calm-but ther

erself to loo

or raised his

moved

f motion-

er, a whirlwind of speed and strength. His fist s

s strike brush past her ear. The force of it sent a jolt through

ivoted, bringing up his knee

sheer power behind the strike sent her skidding backward. Pain expl

ppled throug

neered, circling her like a p

g her shoulders to shake off

deepened. "And

lu

er again-faster, relentless. His fists came in ra

ft. Blocked ri

ing her-driving

sweat trickling down her spine.

right hook-fa

h ducked low, twisted sh

er forehead

g crack fil

eeth as blood dripped from his nostrils. His hand shot

rowd g

time, Talon's

throb in her own skull. She flexed her f

re where tha

golden eyes flickered, something new gleaming in

he m

. More

flying toward her ribs. She twisted, avoiding the brunt of the bl

al succession. She dodged. Blocked. Parried. But he wa

arp bursts. She couldn

through the air, a

eth dropped low, sweep

-but recover

she expecte

ut, snagging he

he yanked her forward and

st kicking up around her. Pain flared alo

a grin stretching acro

ng sharply. His grip loosened-j

s all sh

nee up-hard-righ

nted, brea

ched free, spun, and brought he

d, stagge

owd fel

keeping her stance firm, waiti

he di

d, he g

. Dan

sent unease slithe

his hand, his golden eyes locked onto her like a

stomach

elines, Kieran wa

s burned into h