Grace's sword crashed against Diana's, metal ringing through the arena.
Something was different.
She ducked under Diana's next swing, spun on her heel, brought her blade up. Diana blocked—but Grace caught that tiny flicker of surprise in her grey eyes.
[What the heck?]
Something was off. Twenty minutes of sparring and Grace hadn't eaten dirt once. Not even close, actually. Her body moved like someone had upgraded all her parts overnight. Smoother. Faster. Actually competent.
Diana came at her with that combo that usually left Grace flat on her ass. High strike, low sweep, thrust.
Grace parried high. Jumped the sweep. Twisted away from the thrust.
Then countered with her own attack that actually made Diana step back.
The watching Bravery Sisters went dead quiet.
"Okay." Grace lowered her sword, panting. "Why are you going easy on me?"
Diana's jaw clenched.
"I'm not."
"Bullshit. You haven't thrown me once."
"I've been trying."
Grace blinked.
"What?"
