Page 133 of Halfblood Deceived

What made Aella gawk was how huge Diana was.

She was almost seven feet tall in her shifted form.

Half a foot taller than Sebastian in his humanoid form.

Being a halfblood, Aella had imagined her sister to be barely taller than normal in her stone-like bestial form. But no. How was that possible?

If Aella hadn’t known Diana, she’d be terrified.

Sebastian seemed wonderfully unconcerned. “Now we’re talking. Do your worst, Diana darling.”

Diana obliged.

Despite Sebastian’s speed, which was such that Aella could barely keep track of him, Diana was overpowering him.

In less than two minutes, Diana knocked Sebastian on his back, one knee against his chest, her blade aiming at his neck.

Aella saw Aylana pluck her sword from the ground and take a step closer to Sebastian and Diana. The halfblood’s eyes flared with verdant magic, but she paused and shook her head, taking steadying breaths.

Sebastian chuckled. “Well done.”

“You should have shifted to make the fight even,” Diana remarked, standing and offering a clawed, stone hand to Sebastian.

Sebastian accepted it, running a hand through his hair to get rid of the wet leaves. “Where’s the fun in that? I would beat you in two minutes flat.”

Diana huffed. “You are so full of yourself.”

Sebastian grinned. “I have lots of reasons. Just ask Aylana.”

Aylana’s posture relaxed. She leaned her weight on her sword again as she arched a brow at Sebastian. “You are shameless.”

Sebastian sauntered toward Aylana, leaning to whisper something in her ear that made her eyes widen. She shoved him.

He laughed, winking at her and turning back to Diana. “Ready for a dual attack?”

Diana grinned, stone teeth and fangs flashing. “Be my guest.”

Aella took a step closer, intending to lean against a tree to watch the next round.

A twig broke under her feet.

She cringed as three pairs of eyes turned in her direction.

Biting her lip, Aella stepped into the clearing, feeling oddly sheepish as she neared the group. “Uh, hi.”

Diana blinked. Red energy flared over her frame as she shifted back into her humanoid form with uncanny speed. “Aella, what are you doing here?” her tone was odd, almost embarrassed.

Aella’s stomach tightened. She tugged at the hem of her hoodie. “Um…”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Sebastian asked, arching a wry brow. “She came to admire my beauty.”

Aylana rolled her eyes.

Diana seemed to shake off her surprise. “I mean, of course you can be here, Aella. I just didn’t sense you. Were you having one of your walks?”

Aella nodded. “Yes, we were—”

She turned to look behind her, surprised to realize the wolf was not only out of sight, but completely gone. The spar had narrowed her focus so much that she hadn’t noticed his absence. He didn’t like being around anyone who wasn’t Aella. She knew this. But he would never leave her alone if there was any danger. Which meant the wolf somehow knew Aella was safe with Sebastian and Aylana.

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