I avoid his punch, skidding back into the stairs. Then I slide left, dodging another punch. I block a kick, then strike out with my elbow. Our forearms meet with a jarring smack. I duck beneath another kick and drop into a roll, dirt flying into my face as my braid slaps the ground.

Theyen is impressively fast. Not as fast as Kendara, but he’s a talented fighter and a fierce opponent. I’ve barely blocked his attack before the next one comes. His foot hooks behind my knee, forcing my leg to fold as his elbow nearly slams into my temple. I block in time, his elbow meeting my palms. But I can’t stop his knee from jabbing my gut. I fall back and use the momentum to roll onto my feet again.

He smiles shrewdly as he looks me over. “You’re better than I expected. But I somehow doubt all Evewynian soldiers are so well trained.”

“I somehow doubt you know as much about Evewyn as you think you do.” We circle each other. Shadows shift over our forms as we move past the torchlight.

Something catches my foot. I jerk my leg to shake it loose, but it won’t dislodge. I have to look down. The moment I do, he attacks. I block as an invisible force wraps around my ankle and drags my foot out from under me. I go down, but not before my free leg whips up and catches him in the back. He topples over my shoulder as I land on my bottom. My fingers grope for whatever’s snagged my ankle.

There’s nothing. I press my fingers directly over that definite weight, but my hands touch only the worn leather of my boot. The shadows lurch around my legs.

I gasp, flipping to my feet, feeling that hold loosen and break. Dancing back, my eyes track the moving shadows. Quick as snakes, they converge on my feet. I kick and twist, but the shadows twine around my legs, rooting me in place. My fingers dig into the shadows, trying to claw them off. I’m shocked when my nails catch an edge. Somehow, Theyen has given the shadows movement and substance.

Theyen attacks again, but without my legs, I can only block in quick succession before he catches first one wrist and then the other. Theyen’s arms circle me as he secures my hands behind my back. We’re almost chest to chest.

“Shadow magic,” I say, struggling.

“Your natural opposite.” He lowers his face a mere handspan from mine. “Now, come on, lightwender. Impress me.”