Page 50 of War Hour

Evander makes a clicking noise out of the corner of his cheek. “Close but not quite. He’s reading his opponent’s mind. Every move he even thinks of, the telepath will know before he even does it.”

Like Torryn.

Torryn can read minds, too. Meaning Virtue is another court he has Trialed in. I note the revelation for later, knowing not to bring it up to Evander.

“Why doesn’t the man from Change just stay invisible instead of just flickering in and out?”

Evander smiles, leaning toward me as if we are good friends.

I can’t help but retreat as he advances, but Evander takes it in stride.

“Your level of strength with your ability varies based on the person. You can train and master it better, but each Trialed has a cap on their potential. So, he just can’t hold it any longer than he is. If he did, he’d drain too much of his reserves.”

The two adversaries swirl around each other, firmly gripping their swords as they heave them with alarming force. The man from Change disappears once again, flickering from random spots. The telepath keeps his head on a swivel, face contorted in deep concentration.

“What would happen then? If he used up his reserves.”

“He’d be powerless for a while. Could be hours, days, weeks. It depends on the severity.”

Before I can gasp, the telepath swings his blade out without looking in its direction, catching his opponent under the chin with his sword just as he comes back into view.

“Yield,” he shouts, pressing the sword closer to the delicate skin.

Gritting his teeth, his opponent lowers a knee to the ground.

“Yield.”

The battle has started and ended in mere minutes. It’d been exciting in a fight or flight, adrenaline pumping sort of way. But the stress of it all outweighed any exhilaration. Yet, I can’t keep the awe out of my voice when I ask, “How often do they do this?”

Evander grins widely, pride settling in his posture as he leans back.

“Every day, at least when the capital is in session. Although, some days have bigger turn outs than others. Technically, you can use the arena whenever you want, but there’s only an audience during War Hour. Saturdays are the best day because it’s when the Crowns and Heirs battle each other.”

My mouth gapes as I look at him. “You’ll be doing that?” I ask, pointing at the battlefield where a new round has just started.

“If I get challenged or if I challenge someone.” At my confused look, Evander continues. “Anyone can sign up to fight, and you can choose to either fight someone at random or challenge someone. Of course, you can abstain if challenged, but most don’t out of pride.”

Panic sweeps across me as I turn to him.

“I won’t have to fight anyone, right?” I ask, the pitch of my voice raising.

Evander shrugs, not sensing my concern. “You might get challenged, but like I said, you can always bow out. But I have a feeling people will want to see what the girl from Valor can do. Most of the Heirs have never even met someone from your court since it’s been so long.”

“So, I have a target on my back.”

Evander hums, tilting his head. “It’s a compliment. They are interested enough to want to fight you.”

Does he think that is something I want?

I lower my head, playing with my fingers in my lap. “There’s nothing to be interested about.”

Evander nudges his shoulder against mine until I look up at him. “I wholeheartedly disagree,” he says, eyes locked onto mine.

Furrowing my brows, I scan Evander’s face for a glimmer of deception.

Considering what I’ve come here to do and who I came here with, it would be unwise to trust someone with a sudden interest in me. But that doesn’t stop my heart from falling out of rhythm for a beat.

Our gaze is broken by an explosive outcry, the crowd reacting to what is happening in the new battle before them.

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