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~Jade's POV~
The first knife came in low, and I stepped outside it, deflecting her wrist rather than blocking the blade directly, using her momentum to pull her past me.
She recovered immediately, spinning with a speed that wasn't natural, and the second blade came across in a horizontal sweep that I only cleared by throwing myself backwards.
I landed clean and came back up, but she was already closing the gap again.
"Hmph. That was just a warm-up, Princess. Next time I won't be so kind."
The third exchange was harder. She feinted with the left, which I read, but the follow-through from the right was faster than the feint had suggested, and the blade caught the outer edge of my forearm before I fully redirected it.
It wasn't deep. It burned immediately.
Javelin growled within me, instantly pushing to the surface.
"Do not worry. I can handle her, Javelin. Do not bother showing yourself."
