Page 71 of The Last Guardian

“Are the Surani truly the strongest warriors?”

“Our power is strong, but it’s linked to our fighting strength,” Dax explained, a satisfied smile on his lips. “The stronger we become, the more potent our sunfire is during combat. Our methods for strengthening our powers are extremely effective. Most species cannot withstand the rigors to which we are subjected.”

“But somehow, Zaidkiel could?”

“Of course! He’s part Surani,” Dax replied, sharpening his knife on a stone.

“How did you two meet?” I shot an arrow again.

“We met in prison when we were mere soldiers; he was my cellmate for the first two years.”

I stopped. “You were prisoners for two years?” I asked, surprised.

“Ten, actually. Zaid should’ve gotten more time, but he escaped with me before my execution.”

Execution?

“Wow, what were the charges?”

A gentle chuckle escaped his throat. The tattoo on his shoulder curved like a shadow, while the small sun etched on his forehead shone slightly. “I was charged with theft because I stole food to give to a hungry family in my village. Since I was lowborn, they sentenced me to work in the prison until my trial.”

The death penalty sounded harsh for thievery…

“And Zaidkiel? What did he do to be imprisoned?” I inquired, moving closer to him.

“He killed a warlord who was raping a little girl. The Surani are a fierce and untamed race. Assholes.”

I hoped the warlord had suffered before his death; even death was too kind for these people.

“Why wasn’t Zaidkiel sentenced to death like you, though?”

His crime, although justifiable, was murder. That was more serious than stealing food. Why would he not be sentenced to death?

“Because Zaid’s not a lowborn like me,” Dax said, raising an eyebrow.

Not a lowborn?

“What do you mean? He’s a commander here, too, no?” I asked.

But Dax didn’t answer. Instead, the general looked past me, a smirk spreading across his face.

“Curious about me, aren’t you?” purred someone from behind me.

Zaidkiel.

Of course, he always managed to show up at the right moment, didn’t he? I rolled my eyes, lowering the bow at my side as I turned to face him, his smug eyes already staring right at me.

I straightened up, snarling, “I promised myself I’d smash your face when I saw you again.”

Dax burst out laughing behind us, but I didn’t take my eyes off Zaidkiel, and he didn’t take his eyes off me either.

A silent gaze. Full of promises. My fist curled at my side.

Then Zaidkiel said, without ever breaking my gaze, “Dax, can you leave us alone, please?”

“Come on, man, I want to see her kick your ass,” Dax argued, deception in his tone. “It will be so fun to watch.”

A sly smile curled my lips. Zaidkiel smirked back, debating with himself whether to accept this challenge. But then he said to his friend, “I promise I’ll let you watch the day she does kick my ass. It’s not today, though.” A flash crossed his emerald eyes, sizing me up as if I were the greatest threat he had seen for the first time in ages.