Still, I had to make it look like I was trying, so I flung a few deep purple attack spells in his direction. He blocked them with ease, as I predicted, then released several of his own. I deflected two, but let the last one hit, knocking the air from my lungs and sending me to the ground. Three more came behind it, each landing like a bag of stones against my defenseless body.
"Cyrus, that's enough."
Cyrus turned toward Alexandra, awaiting the praise that was most assuredly coming. Our mistress, a fierce woman in her mid-forties with graying hair and a black wool dress, betrayed no emotion as she approached the center of the arena. Her sharp brown eyes landed on me for a moment before turning to my partner.
"Cyrus, you're too cocky," she said. "Confidence serves you, but too much will be your downfall. Return to the Manor and begin your chores."
From the look on his face, Cyrus had only heard the praise, whatever little there was to be heard. Or perhaps he'd noted that he'd been dismissed, and I had not.
"My lady." He bowed and disappeared in a puff of dark gray smoke, but not before I saw his smirk.
I braced myself for the criticism, but instead, she said softly, "Walk with me, son."
Son, that was a first. Alexandra had given birth to me eighteen years ago, but as customary for Warriors, she'd handed me to her master, another Warrior named George Jones. He was already in his late sixties when I'd arrived on his doorstep, and I'd been more nursemaid than apprentice. He'd died three years ago, and with no other Warriors in the village, I'd returned to my mother's home to continue training with Cyrus.
I snuck a glance at Alexandra, seeing much of myself in her face. But that was where the similarities ended. She was Guildmaster; she held the respect and deference of the entire village. She could dispatch both Cyrus and myself without a second thought.
"Your performance leaves a lot to be desired," Alexandra said, after we'd walked for some time.
"Cyrus is my superior—"
"He's not. He's your equal in power but your inferior in intellect," she said. "His ego will be the end of him."
"I thought you liked his confidence," I said.
"Why aren't you trying against him?"
I thought about my words, running through them in my mind to make sure they wouldn't come back to haunt me. "Because he will be Guildmaster."
"That's not set in stone. You're both Warriors and will be inducted in a few months. When I grow old, the Guildmastership will be available to whomever is the best for it."
My jaw fell. "A few months?"
"Oh, look at you, so concerned now," she said with a short laugh.
"I'm not interested in the Guildmastership, but I would very much like to be inducted," I said, hoping my cheeks wouldn't betray my anger. In generations past, eighteen was the age a Warrior was inducted, but eighteen had come and gone some months ago. "I think it's past time, don't you?"
"It will be time when you show some interest in becoming more than you are, Gavon."
And that was all she said, walking the rest of the way into the village in silence.
Lexie's adventures continue in
Dawn and Devilry
Available now.
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Acknowledgements
Thanks go to my bevy of brilliant beta readers. Brooke, Emilys L. and G, and Kristin.
Dani, as usual, you're the best. One of these days, I might write a manuscript with no typos. But until that day comes, I'm so grateful for your careful eye.
Thanks also go to my typo checkers, Lisa, MC, Amanda, and Mom.
I'd also like to thank the members of the S. Usher Evans Street team: Chelsea, MC, and Emily, for being the mod-god amongst mortals, as well as superstars Elizabeth, Alan, Julie R., Rebecca S., Theresa, and everyone else who helps spread the good Sush word.
Biography
S. Usher Evans was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. After a decade of fighting bureaucratic battles as an IT consultant in Washington, DC, she suffered a massive quarter-life-crisis. She decided fighting dragons was more fun than writing policy, so she moved back to Pensacola to write books full-time. She currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit, and frequently can be found plotting on the beach.
Visit S. Usher Evans online at:
http://www.susherevans.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/susherevans
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