Pelleas landed where Lensa and I stood sparing with a thud as his feet hit the dirt, his wings flashing out with their brilliant black coloring. The feathers caught the last few rays of the sunlight that drifted down through the trees and gave off an iridescent glow.

"Your footing is off," Pelleas said as he strutted over to us, the epitome of a cocky male.

"Why don't you come over here and show me how it's done then," I taunted. Lensa stood aside as Pelleas took ...