The room cleared in seconds.
Furniture vanished into hidden storage compartments. The floor expanded, revealing a massive arena space reinforced with shimmering barriers.
Jax stood on one side, sword drawn. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy.
Zharina stood opposite, rolling her shoulders. Golden eyes burned with predatory hunger.
"Last chance to apologize and grovel, boy," she said, her voice a low growl.
Jax grinned. "Last chance to admit you're scared."
Her eyes flashed. "I'm going to break you."
Lysandra raised her hand. "Begin."
BOOM.
Zharina crossed thirty feet in a heartbeat.
Her fist aimed for Jax's face with enough force to shatter stone.
Jax tilted his head. The punch missed by a hair's breadth, wind pressure making his hair whip back.
'Holy shit. She's fast.'
But instead of fear, pure exhilaration surged through him.
'Finally. Someone who can actually fight.'
Her tail whipped around like a steel cable, aiming for his legs.
