Page 21 of The Blood Moon Oath

“Torin,” Finn warns from behind me, his voice sharp, but I just wave him off.

“I’m just making conversation,” I say, picking up a blade and spinning it lazily in my hand. “So, kitten, ready to play?”

“I’m not here to play,” she snaps, her voice taut.

“That’s a shame,” I reply, stalking a circle around her. “Because I think we’ll have fun.”

She folds her arms, her chin lifting in defiance. “What exactly is the point of this training?”

Finn cuts in, his tone practical. “To help you understand your powers. And, hopefully, to make you less of a liability.”

She glares at him, then at me. “And what happens if I say no?”

I chuckle darkly. “Oh, you don’t get to say no, kitten. Not here.”

We circle each other in the ring, my blade flipping idly between my hands as I watch her. She moves lightly, her weight balanced perfectly, her gaze darting over me like she’s sizing up every weak spot. She won’t find many. I’vespent years honing this body, every muscle, every reflex, every brutal instinct.

Sable doesn’t look away, though. Gotta respect that.

I feint toward her, testing her reflexes. She sidesteps smoothly, her posture shifting as she mirrors my movements. “Not bad,” I say, tossing the blade from one hand to the other. “But I hope you’re not going to be this timid the whole time.”

“I’m not timid,” she snaps, darting forward just enough to make me step back. A spark of amusement flares in my chest. She’s quick.

We trade a few light moves, feeling each other out, and then she asks, “What exactly are the Trials?”

I grin, tossing the blade into the air and catching it. “Oh, Kitten, the Trials are where the fun really begins. Fights to the death, or near enough. No rules. No mercy.”

Her brow furrows. “And what’s the point?”

Finn, leaning against the post at the edge of the ring, answers before I can. “The Trials determine rank. Strength, skill, cunning—it’s how we prove who’s fit to lead. The three of us earned our place by dominating every Trial we entered.”

“Sounds barbaric,” she mutters, stepping back as I advance.

“Barbaric?” I echo, my grin widening. “Kitten, you’ve got no idea.” I take another step forward, forcing her to retreat further into the ring. “Let’s pick things up a notch, shall we? I want to see if you’ve got more than just sharp words.”

Finn doesn’t move from his spot, but his eyes track every move we make. “Don’t kill her, Reaper. Not yet, anyway.”

“Relax, Ghost,” I say, my focus locked on her. “I’m just getting started.”

I move toward her, tossing the blade aside. “Show me what you’ve got, kitten.”

Her eyes narrow, and for a moment, she hesitates. Then shelunges, her movements sharp and quick. I dodge easily, laughing as I sidestep her next move.

“Come on, kitten,” I taunt. “Is that all you’ve got? Show me the trick you pulled in the forest.”

Her jaw tightens. “I’m not showing you anything.”

“Oh, but you will,” I say, circling her like a predator. “I’ll make sure of it.”

She strikes again, this time aiming for my side. I catch her wrist, twisting just enough to make her stumble. But she recovers quickly, landing a solid punch against my ribs.

Pain flares, but it only makes me grin wider. “You’ve got fight in you. I like that.”

The more she struggles, the harder I get. Her movements are fierce, unrelenting, and every time she lands a hit, it’s like a jolt straight to my cock.

Finally, I catch her off guard, sweeping her legs out from under her and pinning her to the ground. She’s breathing hard beneath me, her chest heaving, and for a moment, I just stare down at her, my pulse thundering in my ears.

“Struggle,” I murmur, leaning in closer, my voice a rough, dark promise. “I like it when you struggle.”

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