ChaPter 2 - Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Carnival of souls
She charged him, shifting at the last possible moment and
trying to catch his thigh with the edge of the blade. Belias
knew her every cue, though, and easily dodged her. Twice
more she approached and attempted to draw third blood, and
twice more he avoided her.
Belias ducked her blows and watched her tire herself
chasing after him. He was faster, better trained, and patient.
If not for the angry looks she shot at him—and how furious
she’d be when she had to forfeit to him—he’d be enjoying
finally standing in a ring with her again. Unfortunately,
defeating her was going to make her even less likely to forfeit
graciously.
“Fight me, Bel,” she demanded.
He dived out of the way as she slashed at him. “I don’t want
to hurt you.”
“Fight me,” she repeated. “You insult me by not even
trying.”
“Forfeit.” As he said it, though, he withdrew a pair of
throwing knives and launched them at her.
As she moved to avoid the first blade, the second sank deep
into her thigh, as he’d known it would. Aya’s cry of pain was
hidden under the cheers of the crowd. Her gaze found him,
and she looked happier now that he’d injured her. He knew, of
course, that it wasn’t the injury but the fact that he’d struck out
at her as an equal that resulted in her smile.
“Third blood to Belias,” the hawkers called.
“That’s better.” Aya shifted to put her weight on her
39