The cold air of the Council Chamber still clung to Gideon’s skin as he crossed the stone courtyard. His ribs ached where the creature’s cws had torn into him, but the pain was fading beneath the steady thrum of Nyra’s presence in his mind. The sword rested against his back, silent and dark.

  You enjoyed that, Nyra’s voice purred.

  “You’re imagining things,” Gideon said.

  Nyra chuckled softly. Am I?

  A shadow stirred at the edge of the courtyard. Gideon’s hand slid toward the hilt of the sword — but then Lilith’s familiar figure stepped from the shadows, her long bck hair catching the moonlight. The silver embroidery along her deep blue robes shimmered faintly.

  Her green eyes were hard. “So you survived.”

  Gideon’s smile was thin. “Were you hoping I wouldn’t?”

  Lilith’s gaze sharpened. “It would have saved everyone a great deal of trouble.”

  Gideon’s hand brushed over the hilt of the sword. Nyra’s presence pulsed faintly beneath his fingertips.

  “Well,” Gideon said, “here I am.”

  Lilith’s gaze darkened. “The Rite of Dominion was meant to teach you humility. Not embolden you.”

  Gideon’s eyes narrowed. “It taught me what I needed to know.”

  Lilith stepped closer, her long robes trailing over the stone. Her gaze flicked toward the sword at his back. “You’re bound to it now. You know what that means?”

  “I have power,” Gideon said.

  Lilith’s jaw tightened. “It means you’ve bound yourself to the sword’s will. Nyra is not a weapon you can control.”

  You wound me, Nyra purred in his mind.

  Gideon’s smile sharpened. “Seems like I’m doing fine so far.”

  Lilith’s eyes fshed. “You’re being arrogant.”

  Gideon’s smile faded. He stepped toward her, his gaze steady. “If you’re so worried, you could have stopped me.”

  Lilith’s expression chilled. “Do you think I didn’t try?”

  Gideon’s jaw tightened. “Then why are you still here?”

  Lilith’s gaze hardened. “Because the Council ordered me to keep you alive.”

  “And what if I don’t need protecting?”

  Lilith’s eyes fshed. “You don’t understand what’s coming.”

  A sharp pulse of energy slid through the air. Lilith’s gaze whipped toward the far side of the courtyard — just as a lithe figure emerged from the shadows.

  She was tall and lean, wrapped in dark leather, with twin daggers strapped to her thighs. Amber hair cascaded in loose waves around her fox-like ears, and vivid blue eyes gleamed beneath the moonlight. A long, furred tail flicked behind her as she moved with unsettling grace.

  Lilith’s expression hardened. “Asha.”

  Asha’s blue gaze flicked toward Gideon — and the sword at his back. A slow smile curved her lips, revealing sharp white teeth.

  “Well, well,” Asha purred. Her voice was low and teasing. “Survived your first Trial. I’m impressed.”

  Gideon’s hand slid toward the sword. “And you are?”

  Asha’s smile widened. “Your new friend.”

  Gideon’s gaze narrowed. “I don’t need friends.”

  Asha’s blue eyes fshed. “Pity.” She prowled forward, her steps unnervingly smooth. Her gaze flicked toward Nyra’s hilt. “I heard the bde awakened. Thought I’d see for myself.”

  “Curiosity?” Gideon said.

  Asha’s smile deepened. “Opportunity.”

  Lilith’s hand lifted. The air around her fingers sharpened, silver light gathering at her fingertips. “Back off.”

  Asha’s ears twitched. “Rex, mage. If I wanted trouble, you’d know.”

  Lilith’s eyes narrowed.

  Asha’s gaze lingered on the sword. “So… how does it feel?”

  Gideon’s grip tightened on the hilt. Nyra’s presence stirred beneath his hand.

  “Like it belongs to me,” Gideon said.

  Asha’s smile sharpened. “That’s dangerous.”

  Gideon’s gaze hardened. “Then why are you here?”

  Asha’s blue eyes glinted. “To see if you’re as dangerous as they say.”

  “Are you satisfied?”

  Asha stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. The scent of wild spice and smoke curled in the air between them. “Not yet.”

  Her gaze dropped to his hand — the one resting on the hilt of the sword. “Careful, Gideon. The sword has teeth.”

  Asha’s eyes fshed. “So do I.”

  Then she turned and melted back into the shadows, her tail flicking behind her.

  Lilith’s magic faded. Her gaze sharpened as she turned toward Gideon. “You’re attracting attention.”

  Gideon’s smile was hard. “Good.”

  Lilith’s jaw tightened. “You think this is a game?”

  “I think it’s about time someone changed the rules.”

  Lilith’s expression darkened. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

  Gideon’s gaze sharpened. He took a step toward her. “Then expin it to me.”

  Lilith’s lips parted — but before she could speak, a bell tolled from the high tower above the courtyard. A deep, resonant sound that vibrated through the stone beneath their feet.

  Lilith’s gaze sharpened. “The High Council is calling.”

  Gideon’s hand slid over the hilt of the sword. Nyra’s pulse thrummed beneath his fingertips.

  “Good,” Gideon said quietly. “Let’s see what they have to say.”

  Lilith’s eyes narrowed. “Gideon—”

  But he was already walking toward the great doors at the far end of the courtyard.

  Nyra’s voice curled in his mind. This should be interesting.

  Gideon’s smile darkened. Yes, he thought. It should.