Page 42 of Blood of Ancients

Here? Well . . . I was debating letting it revert to those older ritualistic ways.

“I accept,” I growled in his face.

Chapter 13

Ravinica

NEXT TO ME, GRIM HADa shadow across his face, ready to scold.

I cut him off before he could begin, raising a finger. “Don’t.”

His frown softened. “. . . Will you use the spear, axe, or sword?”

I blinked, surprised by his quick about-face. I shouldn’t have been, since I knew Grim would always cape for me. There was no denying I’d foolishly been goaded into this brawl. It needed to happen, in my mind, to hopefully settle the “bad blood” once and for all.

“The spear, of course,” I said softly, taking his hand. “It’s what I’m most skilled with.”

Damon, Talmont, and Gertrude were walking out of the cafeteria, speaking in hushed tones. Eirik was torn between our two groups, eyeing both of us, worrying his lip.

“Then your brother is fucked,” Grim answered, wrapping an arm around me.

I was pleased he wasn’t going to try and talk me out of this. He might not have known what sibling rivalries could be like, but it didn’t matter to him. The only thing that mattered was me, and Grim was the perfect vigilant sentinel.

It was decided we’d use a nearby cave dwelling big enough to house our party. Many of the nooks and crannies under Vikingrune were vacant, suited perfectly for duels.

What had not been decided were the rules of the engagement.Will this be to the death?I wondered.Hel, we’ve both got classes in less than an hour.

It was the first day of the term. Things had already reached a boiling point between me and my half-brother.Holmgangneeded to happen so I could get him out of my mind.

Here, there was no one to protect Damon. His stepfather couldn’t step in and claim the bout was over before it actually was. I could make mincemeat of him and put him in his place once and for all.

“Magnus, Sven, and Arne won’t be happy about this,” Grim said as we wandered out of the cafeteria, feeling the eyes of the other students following us.

“Good thing they’re not here to try and dissuade me then.”

“You misunderstand me, love.” A roguish smile curled his lips. “They’ll be sad to miss it.”

I had my spear on my back, ready. Ever since getting ambushed by Sven and his pack during my first term, and Astrid later on, I vowed to never leave home without it. Vikingrune was too cutthroat and merciless to walk around weaponless, hoping no one would try to take your head off.

The small dueling spot near the cafeteria was sparse, with a high ceiling. Perfect for my spear to maneuver, even if the spear was typically not the best single-combat tool for close quarters.

Luckily, I could use my weapon in ways others couldn’t. Damon would learn how much I’d learned from Hersir Axel, Grim, and Corym E’tar, in my time since leaving Selby.

I was filled with ruthless anticipation as Damon’s friends set up the Sticks—the square shaping of our dueling grounds. A few long, crooked lengths of tree limbs had already been perchedagainst a wall in this room. That was my first clue Damon had always meant for this to happen, despite his sweet words and crooning over lunch.

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