Hidden Magic Ch. 17

"Smart girl, no wonder you graduated at the top of our class. That means I claim by right a duel." She raised her sword and from the shadows stepped two of her cronies. Witnesses and makeshift seconds, I thought.

I raised my sword, wary, suspicious. "I accept."

Serinne moved with speed that could only come from her sorcerer husband. Instantly her long sword crashed down on mine. There was barely any time to block and so my sword skittered from my hand as I jumped back to avoid being sliced open.

"To the blood?" One of her women called.

Serinne grinned up at me. "To the death."

Her sword rushed towards me, and for the first time in my life I chose the cowardly, albeit intelligent option. I ran like hell.