Kassie's laugh finally receded. I kept my smile plastered on, supportive, encouraging — the face of someone who definitely wasn't internally begging for mercy from that sound.
'I hear it's in times like this that girls need support the most.'
Her laughter was wild, unhinged. If one truly heard it without seeing her face, they'd be convinced it was the bleating of a goat — a goat possessed by something that found existence itself hilarious.
'I like that she doesn't have it all.'
"Wipe that look off your face." The laughter died in an instant, her gaze sharpening to something cold and absolute. "You will never match swords with me. Not now. Not in ten years. Not if you trained until your bones turned to dust."
I raised my chin, meeting her challenge head-on. "Not only will I do it sooner — I'll defeat you."
A devious smirk spread across my face as I extended three fingers.
