"How?" The word escaped before Kharom could stop it as he threw his forearms up to shield the blast, feet planted and eyes fixed on the marble so he wouldn't be lifted off and swept away.
A heartbeat earlier, Adyr had stood at the edge of defeat; now, with a single decisive shift, he had reversed everything.
The attackers who had pressed him were scattered across the marble, bodies twisted, breaths ragged, lying in their own blood.
The arena fell into a stunned hush that made the ringing in the air easier to hear.
Adyr studied the aftermath without a flicker of emotion. His wings, used defensively until now, beat once again with intent. He raised both swords, angled his body, and tipped into a controlled dive.
Kharom flinched. For an instant, arrogance and pride loosened inside his chest, and one foot slid back. Relief followed as he realized the dive was not aimed at him.
But he was shocked yet again when he saw his target.
