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Ignoring the taunt, I rise and take a sip of water. Unbothered. This may be the only type of fight I can win, and I can’t wait to lay Melody out.

“Good luck,” Ever and Eli say at the same time.

Their support bolsters me. I watch Melody saunter onto the mat, clock the vicious way her lip curls, and take a steadying breath. I can do this. I’ve fought paranorms much bigger and stronger than her.

Movement to my left catches my attention. Carver joins us right as Melody arrives on her side of the ring. He looks at her before glancing at me, face emotionless.

“You remember the rules?”

“Until the Threshold Breaker is down?” Melody asks sweetly. She bats her eyelashes at him.

Ew.

Carver doesn’t look impressed. If his vinculum is meant to be bonded to Melody, I don’t think he’s happy about it. I don’t think he’s happy about much of anything.

“The fight isn’t over until one of you is down.” He glances at me one more time.

I lift an eyebrow. What?

With a shake of his head, he steps back.

Naturally, I fall into a fighting stance.

Melody chuckles and finds her own. “I’m going to enjoy this,” she taunts.

I shift my weight to the balls of my feet, ignoring her.

Carver gives us the go ahead. Melody lashes out at me quick and furious, and I slip under her fists, dancing out of reach and watching anger ripple across her face. She charges me, and once again, I duck under her punch.

“Ugh!” she cries out. “Stop running and fight!”

Like with her last taunt, I don’t react, knowing that’ll only get under her skin. Melody thrives off of reactions. I simply assess her next move and get out of the way. It’s funny to watch her stumble when she realizes I’ve evaded her. When I do it for the fifth time, she really loses it.

“Stop being a chicken shit!” she all but screams at me before pouncing at me like a cat.

I slip out of the way, enhanced speed helping me, and she falls on her knees all on her own. A chuckle escapes me.

Carver exhales. “Stop fucking around, Raina,” he growls. He knows I’m toying with her.

“But this is so fun,” I call out, readying myself for Melody’s next attack. She slaps the mat with her palms and stomps to her feet, sending a vicious look in my direction.

{{Fight,}} his deep baritone voice whispers through my mind. At its command, my body instantly moves to do as it’s told. I grind my teeth and try to take control of my movements, but Carver’s mindcraft is too strong, and when Melody is within reach, I catch her with a right hook.

{{Good, now finish it on your own.}}

The grip on my mind loosens, and muscle memory takes over as Melody’s fist flies toward me. I bat it away and uppercut her ribs. Air rushes out of her, but to her credit, she doesn’t let it distract her.

The two of us trade blows, most of hers missing and most of mine landing, and then the perfect opening presents itself. Her fists drop too low, and I slam my knuckles into her face with a right hook that makes her spin around. She staggers, but before she can catch herself, I kick the back of her knees and attack, locking my arm around her throat.

She slaps and scratches at me. I grunt and squeeze harder, counting down the seconds until her body goes slack. She bucks and fights, and then she loses consciousness, arms dangling at her side. I wait another two seconds to be sure, then release her, not bothering to catch her body before it smacks against the mat.

Turning, I storm toward Carver, fury trailing my steps. “Don’t ever fuck with my head again,” I snarl.

“I can do whatever I want, Ms. Stone.”

I glare at him, balling my hands into fists. How much trouble would I be in if I slapped him?

“So vicious.” His voice is barely a whisper, so low I’m not sure if he said it out loud or spoke into my mind.