ZION

“Ow!” My body hit the ground with a solid thud.

I groaned, rolling onto my back, only to find Adrian standing over me. His lips twitched, almost a smile, almost.

“You dropped your guard,” he said, voice low, clipped. “Again.”

I shoved myself upright, dust clinging to my palms. “I didn’t drop it. You just cheat.”

That earned me a raised brow. “Cheat? In battle, there’s no such thing. Only who’s still standing.” 

He offered me ...