Freya's POV
A slow, taunting smirk stretched across Maya's lips as she rose from the ground, dusting herself off with deliberation. She rolled her shoulders, testing the soreness from my last attack, but something in the gleam of her eyes told me she wasn't done. Not even close.
"You've gotten stronger," she said, cocking her head to one side, an edge of amusement dancing in her voice, but beneath it, something else entirely-unsettled.
I didn't move a step. My stance was firm and unyielding. I could feel the burn of battle in my limbs, the coursing of adrenaline running through my veins. But I refused to show any signs of weakness. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
"And you," I said-my voice cool but lacerating-"have weakened." A small smile pulled the corner of my lips, needling her in return for all the times she so frequently goaded me.
Maya's smirk never wavered, but for one fraction of a second. Then she laughed softly. "Or maybe," she said, her voice slipping to a deadly wh
