Page 114 of Wicked Heirs

Marlowe twisted to the side to avoid them like Orpheus had, but then an underhanded move from the latter had one smashing into his throat.

Marlowe choked and staggered back.

He held up his hand, calling for a timeout.

Orpheus was having none of that.

He didn’t stop.

Thrusting his hands up to the ceiling, he conjured a purple storm cloud, then had it fire lightning directed at Marlowe.

Marlow threw a shield up at the last second before it hit, straining in his still stunned state to hold it at bay against Orpheus’ assault.

“Orpheus,” he rasped.

Again, there was no response.

Oh no.

He’d gone to that dark place.

That dangerous headspace.

He streamed his magic and the might of it blew right through the professor’s shield. A blast then hit him in the chest and it sent him spinning and then rolling across the floor, before he was able to stop on his back.

Orpheus was there then, levitating two broadswords, then sweeping his hands and sending them shooting toward Marlowe.

Marlowe threw out his hand at the last second, stopping them in their tracks and gritting his teeth as Orpheus pushed against the resistance.

With his free hand, Marlowe upturned one of the blades, then sent it hurtling toward Orpheus where it sliced at the underside of his chin.

Orpheus blinked, the sudden pain seeming to snap him out of it.

And then he called his magic back and took a staggering step back.

As the blades clattered to the floor, Marlowe got to his feet. He looked out at the stunned faces of all the students and ordered, “Leave us.”

They all rushed out without a single protest, clearly in a state of shock at what had just happened here.

Holy hell.

“Here. Now,” Marlowe commanded as soon as they were gone.

“You wanted to spar,” Orpheus said, unapologetically.

“You took it too far.”

“A matter of opinion. Besides, I thought you could take your lumps better than that.”

“You’re not him. You’re not your father.”

“You’re right. I’m not.”

“Then what was that moments ago, why did you take it there?”

“Because, although I’m not him, Idohave the potential to be. And that’s what the world needs to see, what it needs to respect and be wary of in equal measure.”

He looked out at me pointedly.

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