Page 48 of The Court of the Dead
“Begin,” Nico commanded.
They exchanged strikes, almost in slow motion. Savannah seemed to get the hang of it quickly. She pivoted to block, then swung from the opposite side. They picked up speed, got a rhythm going.
“Not bad,” Nico said, slowly circling the two. “One of the great things about being a demigod is that we have an innate ability to focus our attention when we need to. It’s not always perfect, though, so we need to practice honing it.”
They picked up the pace some more, pride swelling in Nico’s chest as Savannah managed to parry every one of Arielle’s attacks.
“And stop!” Nico grinned. “See? You’re a natural, Savannah.”
She lowered her sword. “I’m sorry for being so dramatic yesterday.”
She directed the apology at Nico, avoiding Arielle’s gaze.
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” he said. “Especiallywith me. We all get scared and overwhelmed, even after years of experience.”
Savannah frowned, apparently finding that hard to believe.
“You did well, demigod,” Arielle said.
It was an innocuous comment, said with respect, but Savannah’s face drained of color. She made the mistake of locking eyes with Arielle.
Then, to Nico’s horror, Savannah screamed and charged.
Savannah swung down—hard—at Arielle’s head. The empousa barely managed to evade the strike.
“What are you doing?” Arielle yelled.
Savannah didn’t answer. She pulled back the blade, gripping it with both hands like a baseball bat, and swung again.
This time, Arielle wasn’t fast enough. Savannah’s wooden blade smacked her across the arm so hard it broke the skin. Arielle’s flaming hair roared higher, like someone had thrown gasoline on it.
“Stop that!” yelled the empousa. “Leave me alone!”
Nico jumped between them. “Savannah! Drop the sword!”
Savannah’s face twisted into a mask of rage. She threw her sword aside in disgust, then screamed again like she wanted the entire world to hear her.
“It’s her fault!” Savannah howled. “She did it!”
“I did nothing!” Arielle shot back.
Savannah rushed forward. Nico blocked her path, but Savannah’s strength surprised him. She tackled him, and they both crashed into the ground.
Savannah rolled off him. She drew in her knees and then let loose a terrible sob. “She did it,” she said again. “She killed my parents!”
The whole world seemed to drop out from under Nico, taking his heart along with it. He struggled to his feet and looked at Arielle, who was wide-eyed with disbelief.
“What?”the empousa asked, cradling her wounded arm. “I don’t even know who you are! I haven’tkilledanyone in a long time!”
“It was you, or your kind.” Savannah shivered. The anger was draining out of her body, leaving her listless and defeated. The blankness in her eyes worried Nico even more than her attack.
“Mykind?” Arielle demanded. “So now I’m responsible for every empousa? We’re all the same?”
“Arielle,” Nico warned. “It might be best if you go back to your quarters.”
“But, Nico, I didn’t—”
“I know. I believe you. Butplease.”
