Reyna's face went through several interesting colors.
Shock.
Denial.
Rage.
"Fine. No lightning."
She dismissed all her marionettes with a snap, the constructs dissolving into wisps of electricity. Then she charged at me. Actual physical combat, no Aspect between us. Just fists and speed and the brutal simplicity of a girl who'd been training since she could walk.
She was fast.
Inhumanly fast.
Her first punch came at my face, and I barely got my guard up in time. The impact rattled my bones. Her second punch slipped through my defense, catching my ribs exactly where they were still healing.
White-hot pain exploded through my chest.
I staggered.
She followed up with a spinning kick that would've decapitated me if I hadn't ducked. Felt the displaced air whistle over my head. Came up swinging my bat in a wide arc.
She flipped backward, avoiding the strike by inches, landing in a perfect three-point stance.
"Better."
"Thanks. I've been practicing."
"Not enough."
