Page 71 of Soul Forge

“Whoa,” she murmured when the metal moved like liquid, reshaping itself to release an impossibly sharp silver dagger about the length of her forearm from hilt to tip.

“Every vestige is capable of fighting in close quarters,” the Soul Forge explained. “Not all of them can do ranged attacks. Very few are good at both.”

“Doesn’t that depend on the wielder?” Elda asked, taking the dagger and testing its weight. It was perfectly balanced on her palm, feeling more like an extension of herself than a weapon.

“And the Spirit,” Sypher nodded. “Irileth is powerful, and she’s taken a liking to you, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble channelling her magic when you’re ready.”

Elda frowned. “Irileth and I aren’t on good terms right now.”

“Still mad at her for showing you why the Spirits are afraid of me?” he asked archly.

“More that she tried to convince her to enslave you,” Reiner cut in.

Elda’s frown morphed into a scowl. She still saw the awful images from the lake, her mind recalling them as perfectly as if they were branded into her soul.

“She didn’t have a choice,” Sypher reminded her. “Aeon forces them to teach each wielder. Irileth was just following the rules.”

“She didn’t want me to learn?”

“What she wanted didn’t matter. She said what she was supposed to, and you made the choice you were always going to.” He smiled faintly. “I appreciate your anger on my behalf, but try not to be too hard on her if you can.”

“I’ll try,” Elda agreed. She hefted the dagger, practising the stances Julian had taught her the night she swore her oath. “This knife isflawless,” she commented after a minute or two. Its curves fit the shape of her hand perfectly.

“It’s not that impressive,” Lillian interjected from the villa doorway. Sypher tensed, the fire in his eyes flickering wildly.Elda watched him bare his teeth and immediately positioned herself between him and the fae, tracking her descent down the few stairs into the garden with guarded eyes.

“Nope,” Reiner muttered, tugging Elda out of the way and taking her place.

“Is irritating people all you do?” Julian complained, glaring at the sixth wielder.

“I have as much right to be here as you,” Lillian retorted. “Probably more since you’re just Sypher’s tag-along.”

“You were stationed out in the valleys for a reason,” Reiner cut in, her dark eyes cold and judging. Hostility rolled from her in waves, sending a shudder through Elda. “You left the people out there undefended so you could chase your infatuation.”

Lillian’s violet eyes rolled. “Artan deployed a small army to help them. My services weren’t required. I thought I could be of more use here.” She set her hand on her hip, the other resting on the hilt of her katana. “I came out here to spar if anyone is willing.”

When nobody responded, Lillian smiled. It reminded Elda of a snake waiting to strike.

“How about it, Princess? Want to show me what you’re made of?”

Reiner released her mace from her back, balancing it across her shoulders and fixing the fae with a warning glare. Violet light pulsed through her veins.

“No, she doesn’t,” the valkyrie stated.

Lillian sighed. “I didn’t have you down for a coward. Does the valkyrie always answer on your behalf?” She pouted. “I’m disappointed.”

“That makes two of us,” Elda shot back. “You lied to me.”

“Spirits, you’re as stupid as the rest of them.” A soft snarl escaped Sypher at Lillian’s insult. “Now I’mreallydisappointed in you. I thought you were smart enough to make the rightchoice. You’ve doomed us all, you know. There’s no way to control him if he freaks out now.”

Fear wrapped itself around Elda’s heart for a moment, reminding her of the monster standing in the ruins of her kingdom.

You chose wrong,her doubt whispered.People will die because of you.She felt the colour drain from her cheeks.

“Enough,” Sypher snapped, stepping around Elda. “You want to spar with someone? Let’s go.” His tone was edged with steel.

“You’re the only one that can take me here anyway,” Lillian shrugged, grinning. Her coy smile made Sypher bare his teeth, his sharp incisors looking dangerous in the midday sunlight.

“You shouldn’t fight her,” Elda warned, shaking her head. “This is what she wants.”

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