I flexed my fingers, thinking of the power I’d demonstrated earlier when I’d pulled the water droplets inside. It had surprised him that I’d been able to do so much. “You can’t protect me if you’re dead. And I’m not as helpless as everyone thinks I am. Besides, you really shouldn’t be trying to tell me what to do.”

He’d seen me in the hallway, bloody from the battle with my father, but victorious. He knew, better than anyone, that I could hold my own.

Jovis gave me a quick glance, then pulled a dagger from his belt. He tossed it to me, and I caught it by the hilt. “I’ll take the one on the right,” he said. “Can you handle the other?”

I felt the strength flow through my limbs, stronger even than when I’d eaten the cloud juniper berries. There was no one here to care if I let loose with my newfound magic. All the fear I’d felt turned to molten anger. “Yes.”

They dared to come here, and to attack Thrana instead of me? My fingers tightened around the dagger. I lifted it. But instead of charging at the assassin on the left, I let my awareness sharpen. I felt the moisture in the room and outside the window. It was as easy as it had been when Jovis had first shown me. I gathered the droplets, felt them coalesce into a pool at my feet. And then, just as the assassin charged at me, I lifted it to slam into his face.

The assassin choked, nearly dropping his weapon.

I stepped inside his guard and sliced my dagger across his ribs. I’d cut enough flesh when I’d been learning my father’s bone shard magic. This felt no different. Only the blood was warm this time. He leapt back, pressing a hand to the wound.

Jovis had broken a chair leg clean off and was using it to bludgeon the assassin on the right. My opponent had underestimated me but was quickly recovering. Jovis’s opponent dodged his attacks, keeping his blade at the ready.

I backed away, looking for a defensible position. So it was I found my back against Jovis’s, my dagger raised, Thrana at my side. She’d found her courage again with my presence, and I felt the rumble of her growl as she leaned against my knee.

Both assassins attacked.

The Alanga that had attacked me back on Imperial had been relying on the element of surprise. These two men were well-trained fighters, moving with the fluidity of dancers. The man I faced bobbed and dodged, unwilling to engage me directly. He knew my strength and speed now. Instead, he searched for an opening, feinting with his blade.