Valina took a step back in disbelief as Godrid, the enormous brawler and outlaw Bloodsold, calmly closed the distance between them. She could practically feel his glare for its intensity. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and she could sense the impending exhaustion that would come from using the gifts of her pact.

Godrid burst forward in a sudden sprint, and Valina stretched her hands out, recalling the hundreds of tiny particles of ice that had scattered across the road. She continued to ...