"Now we're talking." Aurelia's lips curved into something sharper than a smile. More honest. "But it's not me who's going to die today."
Her fingers moved, subtle flick of her wrist, like she was brushing dust from her sleeve.
"We'll see."
Verelia's hands came up. Two ice swords materialized from condensed moisture, long, elegant, translucent blades that caught what little light filtered through the canopy overhead.
She closed the distance between them immediately.
And slashed.
The first sword came in horizontal. Aimed at Aurelia's midsection.
Aurelia raised two cards and flicked them outward in an X formation.
The ice blade hit the card formation and stopped.
Like hitting a wall made of something fundamentally resistant to force.
Verelia felt it in her wrists. The complete absence of rebound. Like striking water that had decided not to splash.
Interesting.
She pulled back.
