Merlin didn't flinch.
Golden light sparked across his veins. His hand brushed his hilt, not yet drawing. His other hand spread faintly to the side, wind coiling sharp around his fingers.
'Nathan's fastest. Seraphina won't hesitate to strike from blind spots. Dorian will aim to bleed me out. Ethan will test my guard. Adrian, brute force, straight through. Liliana supports. Elara…'
His gaze flicked to her, violet eyes already locked on him.
'Elara will come for me directly.'
The sand cracked.
Nathan moved first. Sparks trailed his daggers in a blur, his grin feral. "C'mon, Everhart!"
Merlin stepped once. Lightning arced across his boots, and Nathan's slash cut nothing but smoke.
Behind, Seraphina's ice spears rained down like knives. Dorian darted through them, his daggers streaking frost, aiming for Merlin's throat.
Wind burst. Ice shattered into glittering shards, sand spraying wide. Merlin's arm snapped up, fingers catching Dorian's wrist mid-strike.
Crimson eyes widened.
