Chapter 40

Chiara

The first thing that pierces my consciousness is the gleaming tip of Juliet’s blade, wandering so close to my face that I can almost feel the metal gliding across my cheek.

The last second reaction of my insticts is the only thing that saves my face from being sliced open.

“What was that?” I demand, gasping for air. “What are you doing?”

Juliet smirks. “Teaching you how to fight.”

With that, she attacks again, sweeping her leg under my feet to knock me off balance. This time, I’m more prepared. I jump back to avoid her leg, then I raise my sword and take a jab at her chest.

She parries my blow, our blades clanging. I don’t know exactly what I’m doing, but I can feel her trying to twist my sword out of my grasp so I copy her move. When she realizes what I’m attempting to do, she gives me a swift punch on the face.

But to my surprise, I catch her hand and use the momentum to redirect her blow, letting her arm bend at an awkward angle until I hear something pop.

“Fuck!” she curses