Chapter 45

Chiara

“No!” Juliet yells, raising her hands to block my attack.

With an awful slashing sound, the tip of my sword rips open the palms of her hands. Blood gushes out, splattering on my face and immediately crashing me back down into reality. I step back in horror, looking at mess I just did, dropping my sword when all strength leaves my body.

Juliet stares at me, then at her hands. Tears brim her eyes as some of the other trainees rush to help her. Nero and Alessio both wheel around on us, and Nero immediately comes to Juliet’s aid. Alessio remains in his spot with his bright golden eyes wide with shock, staring at the scene with an unreadable expression.

What have I done?

“Juliet,” I mutter through numb lips, finally finding my voice, as weak and as wobbly as it sounds right now. “Juliet, I’m so sorry. . . .”

I brace myself for when she screams at me, but even with her blood dripping everywhere, she smiles at me. “Chiara, it’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it. We were both carried awa