Maya had been wrong.
Not entirely. She had been right to consider him the greatest obstacle. Right to fear his growth. Right to prepare more than just herself, Uta, Yaana, and Manfred. But even with all that preparation, she had still underestimated him.
That thought alone made her stomach twist.
She lowered her gaze, breathing through the fire burning in her chest and the humiliation still crawling beneath her skin. She wanted to say something, to threaten him, maybe even spit at his feet and remind him that this was not over.
But she was not stupid.
"I understand," she said, the words scraping her throat.
Elion's smile faded. "Good then, stand."
Maya grit her teeth and tried again.
Her knees trembled beneath her as pain shot up her spine, and the wound across her torso burned sharply when she forced herself upright. For half a second, she nearly collapsed again, but Manfred reached out and caught her by the arm.
