Chapter 63: The Challenge
Athena pov
Kaelin’s smile widened, eyes glittering like knives. "Fine. If you’re angry enough, then I challenge you. A magical duel. Right here. Right now."
My heart pounded not from fear but anger at her audacity. But I shook my head, the words coming out before I could stop them.
"No. I don’t fight for their entertainment."
Her smile faltered, replaced by a sneer. "Coward."
I didn’t reply. I didn’t need to. I could feel the eyes of the room on me, some sympathetic, others mocking. But I kept my head high, knowing that what they saw was only surface. The truth of what I was and what I could be was something none of them would understand.
The lunchroom had quieted down a little, most students finishing their meals or whispering among themselves. I was just starting to relax when Kaelin’s voice pierced the air again.
"You know, it’s a shame your little friend here thinks she can defend you," Kaelin sneered, turning her cold gaze to Llira, the kind girl who had been nothing but friendly since day one.
Lira shifted in her seat, trying to hide her unease. "Kaelin, don’t—"
But Kaelin cut her off with a sharp laugh. "Oh, I’m not done. You’re all soft, especially you." She flicked a slender finger at Lira’s arm.
Before I could react, a jolt of cold magic surged through Lira’s arm. She gasped, clutching it tightly as pale frost spread over her skin like ice creeping across a pond in winter.