Page 80 of Shadowed Fate

My eyes lock onto Brigid as she stands in the center of the training area, her chest heaving with each ragged breath. Sweat glistens on her pale skin, dark hair plastered to her forehead. I circle her slowly, muscles coiled tight, ready to strike.

"Again," I bark, jaw clenched. Neither of us wants to be here, but we don’t have a choice.

I watch as Brigid readies herself for another round, her stubbornness evident in the set of her jaw.

She’ll need it.

The Council has given me a deadline to train her to control her magic and if she doesn't learn to reign in her powers before then, they'll dispose of her without hesitation. The Council does not fuck around when it comes to things like this. They keep us safe, even from ourselves.

I would have refused their order, but I like living.

"Again," I repeat.

Brigid lunges at me with her hand outstretched, shadows extending from her fingers, and I dodge, my hand instinctively reaching for my blade.

"Focus!" I snap, as she falls hard to the ground, breathing heavily.

”I am focusing," she retorts defensively, frustration clear in her voice.

“You should be using your magic, not your physical strength—or lack thereof.”

“Shouldn’t I be learning how to use both?”

"Get your priorities straight, Brigid.” I can’t keep the sneer from my face. “Because if you can't control your powers during a fight, you risk hurting innocent people," I remind her harshly. "Is that what you want?"

Brigid falls silent. Her eyes narrow, a flicker of defiance sparking in those stormy gray depths. "I need a minute."

"Your enemies won't give you a minute." I lunge forward, fist aimed at her face.

She jerks back, barely dodging the blow. Her movements are clumsy, uncoordinated.

I press my advantage, raining down a flurry of strikes. Jab. Cross. Hook. Each one precise, calculated. It might not seem like it to her but I’m holding back, barely using any force at all.

Brigid stumbles backwards, arms raised in a pitiful attempt to block. Dark tendrils of shadow lick at her fingertips, wisps of inky blackness curling around her arms.

"Use it," I snap. "Don't let it control you."

Her face contorts, brow furrowed in concentration. The shadows recede, but I can still feel the pulsing undercurrent of wild, untamed power.

I sweep her legs out from under her, sending her crashing down. She lands with a dull thud, the air rushing from her lungs.

"Pathetic," I snarl, looming over her. "Is this the best you can do?"

Something dangerous flashes in her eyes. For a split second, I swear those gray eyes turn pitch black.

Before I can react, tendrils of shadow explode outwards, slamming into my chest. I'm thrown backwards, skidding across the floor. I feel something wrap itself around my throat.

I reach for it with my mind and feel a surge of satisfaction as the dark tendrils disintegrate under my control. I inhale oxygen as Brigid's shadow evaporates into nothingness.

I spring to my feet, adrenaline pumping. Brigid's on her knees, panting, shadows writhing around her like living smoke. Her eyes are wide, terrified.

"I... I didn't mean to—"

"Shut up," I growl, stalking towards her. "Get up. Now."

She stumbles upright, shaking. The shadows cling to her, restless, hungry. It sets my teeth on edge.

"Again," I command, falling into a fighting stance. "And this time, control your fucking magic."

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