Bloodline Secrets (Part 1)

Phloria followed her own advice, pushing forward into close-quarter combat instead of keeping the distance that would give Quylla the advantage.

"Back at the academy, you were so afraid of making your move on Lith that I beat you to the punch despite you having three months ahead of me. Then, you were so desperate for love that you accepted the slave ring like an idiot and killed Yurial!"

Her blade moved in a seamless stream of lunges that turned into backhand and overhand slashes with but a flick of the wrist. Between the real Phloria telegraphing her moves, Quylla's superior core, and Bloodbind's great area of effect, no attack reached its mark.

Yet Phloria's words cut deep, making Quylla stagger.