Veronica braced herself, golden aura flickering like a flame battered by wind. She clenched her fists tighter. 'Stay calm. Read her rhythm. Wait for the opening.'
Lucy lunged again, faster this time. Her claws slashed in a blur, each strike heavy enough to break the sound barrier. Veronica blocked the first, dodged the second, but the third tore across her arm, blood splattering the ground in bright red streaks.
"Got you bitch," Lucy hissed, swinging again.
But this time, Veronica smiled. She twisted her body midair, sliding past the blow, then launched a sharp uppercut glowing with golden light. The impact cracked through Lucy's jaw and sent her stumbling backward.
Lucy growled, wiping blood from her mouth. "Still smiling? You're bleeding."
Veronica tilted her head, golden strands of hair sticking to her sweat-soaked face. "I've bled worse. You'll need more than that, insect bitch."
Lucy's wings flared open, feathers dark as tar. "Then I'll give you more."
