Lyra's POV
The words Gwen had spoken were still echoing in my mind when my body reacted instinctively. My feet pounded against the floor as I sprinted toward the gymnasium, weaving through the stream of students heading inside. My heart hammered against my chest with each desperate step.
The thought that someone might die because of me was unbearable. Xander had conveniently omitted this deadly detail from his grand plan. I refused to let either of them perish over this twisted situation.
Bursting into the gym, I found another ring of spectators had gathered. They surrounded the elevated fighting platform where I had once faced Xander in combat just months ago. I elbowed my way through the crowd until I reached the mat's edge. The sight that greeted me stole the breath from my lungs.
