The courtyard was silent, the tension thickening the air as Arian patiently waited for Jamee to come at him, his goading smirk still plastered on. Jamee had his eyes locked on Arian, raw determination set in his jaw. The space around them felt charged, like a storm about to break, the afternoon sun bore down on them.
Cass felt her heart beat faster, watching as Arian settled into a loose, confident stance, his fingers flexing in anticipation. Jamee took his own stance across from him, fists raised, his expression fierce, taut, angry.
A slow smile spread across Uriel's face as he watched them. "Go on, Jamee. Show us what you're made of." His voice was light, almost mocking, and Cass felt a chill crawl down her spine.
Arian cracked his neck, his face shifting into an unsettling grin. "Ready when you are, Shtriga."
