Page 62 of Saints & Sinners

They both squared off, and Azrael’s voice boomed across the field, calling for their match to begin. Grace immediately shifted her stance, but I could see how her hands trembled slightly as she took tentative steps forward. Norah, on the other hand, radiated the predatory type of confidence.

Grace moved first, a quick jab towards Norah’s side, but Norah dodged it effortlessly. I hadn’t trained Grace enough for her to actually fight. We’d had less than two lessons, for fuck’s sake.

From the edge of the pit, I felt my pulse hammering as Grace tried again, throwing a series of weak strikes. Norah evaded each attempt with ease until she lunged, her fist connecting with Grace’s shoulder and sending her stumbling back.

I hissed as if I’d received the hit.

Norah geared up for another jab, but luckily, Grace recoveredquickly, attempting a kick to ward Norah off. Just as she aimed for her stomach, Norah grabbed Grace’s ankle, twisting it just enough to unbalance her before letting go. Grace hit the ground hard, her face showing a flash of pain before she pushed herself back up.

I hadn’t realized I’d taken a step forward to intervene until Brandon clasped a hand over my shoulder and pulled me back.

Each blow Grace received made me want to step in. I knew she had guts; she’d gone up against me the first few weeks of being here, but Norah was merciless. She wasn’t fighting to prove something; she was fighting for herself.

When Grace tried to dodge, Norah was faster, managing to land a sharp jab to Grace’s ribs. Grace’s face contorted in pain as Norah’s knuckles dug in, winding her. Everyone else let out a mix of cheers and taunts, fuelling Norah’s grin.

“At least she’s not using any Warrior strength on Grace,” Brandon said, and I shot him a look that made him regret saying that in the first place.

I focused on Grace again as her eyes narrowed with determination. I knew that look—she wasn’t about to back down. She squared her shoulders, gritted her teeth and readied herself, managing to duck under Norah’s next strike. I could see the flicker of surprise in Norah’s eyes just for a second, but it wasn’t enough. She swept Grace’s legs from under her with a brutal kick that sent Grace crashing to the ground. Before Grace could fully get her bearings, Norah was already on top of her, pinning her down with one arm around her neck.

My fists clenched, seeing Azrael wasn’t going to do anything and shrugged Brandon off. I stepped forward when I noticed someone with the Nightsteel blade in their hand.

I grabbed the guy’s wrist, and he looked up at me with a frown as I glanced at the dagger.

He didn’t even get a say as I snatched it from his grip and flungit towards Grace. It landed right beside her as she fought to get Norah off her.

Grace’s eyes darted toward it, her fingers twitching with the need to grab it.

“Come on, Bambi,” I muttered under my breath, my eyes fixed on her every move as she managed to twist her body enough to escape Norah’s hold and make a dash toward the blade.

She lunged for it, but Norah grabbed her ankle before she could reach the Nightsteel, yanking her back with enough force to send her sprawling. Gritting her teeth, Grace used her free leg to kick out, finally breaking Norah’s hold. She pushed herself forward, her hand finally wrapping around the hilt of the dagger before she spun, swinging the blade just as Norah lunged at her again. The edge of the blade slashed Norah’s cheek, drawing a line of blood.

Norah shrieked, stumbling back as her eyes widened, turning milky white and unfocused.

The crowd went silent, watching as the effects of the Nightsteel took over Norah and a surge of pride shot through my veins.

But before anyone else could take in what had just happened, Azrael stormed into the pit, pushing past people trying to attend to Norah’s needs.

“That’s enough! Martin, get out. Not only did you seek aid from another Warrior—” His eyes went to mine, but I challenged him back with my own. “But you fought with a weapon that shouldn’t be used by a human without authorisation. Are you a Riftkeeper, Martin?”

Grace shook her head, the fight draining out of her in an instant.

“Then you do not use these weapons on any of the Warriors unless I tell you to.” The words were final, and as she looked over at me, I saw that it was as if the toll of the fight had finally caught up with her. She swayed and collapsed to the ground, but notbefore I was by her side in an instant.

Her skin was pale, her body limp as she heaved out shallow breaths. Anger seethed inside of me as I looked up at Azrael, whose expression remained impassive.

“Take her to the Healer’s wing,” he said, dismissing her with the usual detachment in his voice. “Let’s see if she’s still eager to train when she wakes up.”

My teeth gnashed together. Every nerve in me was ready to snap back at him, but Silas and Brandon stepped forward, placing a steady hand on my shoulder, grounding me. I knew better than to give Azrael the satisfaction of a reaction, but seeing Grace like this—defeated, hurt and still so determined struck something in me that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Scooping her up, I felt her head rest against my shoulder as I carried her away from the pit and away from the stares of every other Warrior here.

Chapter Thirty–Two

My eyes cracked open at the soft glow of lights and the unmistakable scent of herbs. Marnie’s face hovered above mine, her eyes wide and worried as she tilted my chin to examine me.

“Thank god, you’re awake,” she said. “You had me scared, you know. Luckily, it was only a mild concussion, but still.”

I winced, feeling a few dull aches here and there.

---