Blade Born by Kory M. Shrum

Author:Kory M. Shrum
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781949577600
Publisher: Kory M. Shrum

Chapter 13

At Last Light

I don’t sleep at all. I stay up until three in the morning searching every book I can think of, looking for a loophole that will let me out of my Prior problem. But the rules are absolutely clear on this.

Any unmatched hunter can make an offer to the keeper of their choice. They must state their offer before the entire coven so that anyone who may want to contest the claim can do so. If two witches want the same keeper, this is where it gets tricky. If the dispute is between a low-born witch and a high-born witch, the First Family witch usually wins because the witch with lesser magic will defer to the stronger one, but if the dispute is between two First Family witches, then it is settled by duel—and the winner of the duel wins first rights to the keeper.

Yes, Alex can say he would rather be bound to me and refuse Dean’s offer outright, but that is considered an insult and Prior might counter by challenging Alex to a duel as well. And as much as I love Alex, he would not win against Dean in a magical duel. In a fist fight—absolutely. If it were only blades and strength, Alex would clean the floor with him. But physical contact is forbidden in a duel, and Alex simply doesn’t have the offensive magic needed to win.

I throw the book I’m reading, and it rebounds off the wall.

I collapse on the brown leather chaise angled against a bookcase. I’m so mad I can’t think straight. In fact, I’m so mad I start crying.

This—I realize—is why Arty warned me.

She isn’t worried about me losing to Prior. He couldn’t take me in a fight, no matter if we’re using magic, blades, or fists. She’s worried that I’ll be too upset and make a fatal error. I’ll overlook some important rule at a time when only the rules matter. Prior is probably hoping he will win by default, simply because I make one of the thousand missteps that could forfeit my win.

Because duels aren’t simple. They’re the archaic remnants of a long-ago society that cared way too much about pomp and circumstance. And here, I’m ashamed to admit, Prior is better versed than I am. I could never care as much about pompous displays of power as he does.

Once I clear away the rage tears, I drag myself to the desk again and open A Lady’s Rules and Manners of Dueling.

I begin to read.

And I must doze off because I wake at the sound of a floorboard creaking. My head snaps up. The library is empty, the fire at my back only embers now. The room has that smoky, wood-burnt smell that I love.

Shadows move beneath the door.

I call up my magic instantly, feeling the hairs on my arms rise. The person on the other side of the door pauses. In a random fit of boldness, I storm forward and throw the door wide.

There’s no one.

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