A Court of Ash and Fire

Chapter Six

"Is this really a good idea?" I said quietly to Rhys.

He shrugged. "We need to fight fire with fire. Well, in this case, arrogance with arrogance."

I sighed, massaging my temples. "Fine. Let's bring in the 'reinforcements'."

Rhys flashed me a grin, and winnowed without another word. Ten seconds of shivering in that dark cell hallway later, Rhys reappeared with Cassian by his side.

Cassian looked into the cell and grinned at Celaena. She grinned back. It was terrifying.

"So," Cassian purred. "This is my new toy."

I threw him a look. "Seriously, Cassian? Way to sound creepy."

Cassian ignored me, approaching the bars. "What a pretty little thing. But what a dangerous animal lies beneath."

Celaena cocked her head. "Why don't you come a little closer and you can see how dangerous this animal really is."

Cassian's eyes glowed. "As tempting as that may be, I have a better idea."

He sent a look at Rhys, who nodded. I frowned. "Wait. What?"

Rhys grasped my hand as we winnowed. I blanched as we arrived in the sparring ring- Celaena included. "You've got to be kidding."

Rhysand squeezed my hand gently. "This way, Celaena gets to work off her anger and Cassian might just be able to convince her to talk."

Celaena slowly stood, free of her chains. She rolled her neck, shook out her hands. "So I take it we're fighting."

Cassian threw off his shirt, grabbing two swords from the weapons rack and chucking one to Celaena. She caught it easily, twirling it expertly in her fingers.

Cassian got into a fighting position, a feral grin on his face. Celaena didn't move; she just stood there, inspecting the sword. By now, Amren, Nesta, Mor and Azriel had entered the ring, hovering by the balcony doors.

I watched as Cassian lunged towards Celaena, faster than the human eye could see...

...But she easily dodged.

I gaped as she pivoted on one foot, twirling like a wraith on the wind. Cassian whirled back on her, snarling as he went for her again, feinting left. She side-stepped him, knocking his sword away from her body with a mere flick of her hand.

"How..." Mor gasped as Cassian tripped over his own feet. "She hasn't even used her sword."

I watched, dumfounded, as Cassian attacked at such a speed at even I wouldn't be able to stop him. But Celaena simply dropped to the ground, sliding between his legs, and knocked Cassian's legs out from underneath him.

Celaena slowly got to her feet as Cassian landed flat on his face on the concrete. "Are we done here?" She said, chucking her sword at his feet. He barked a string of disgusting curse words at her. She clicked her tongue. "A sore loser, I take it. You know, you really should work on that temper of yours."

"You-"

"Alright, that's enough," Rhys said, and winnowed to Celaena faster than she could react. She bared her teeth at him as he latched onto her upper arm and winnowed away.

I bit back my grin as Cassian stumbled to his feet. Mor, however, had no such qualms. She cackled with laughter, doubling over as tears leaked out of her eyes. Even Amren managed to crack a smile. "Well done, Cassian. Thrilling fight."

He glared at her, swiping at a bloody nose. "Ha ha. How funny."

Azriel walked over to his brother, grasping his forearm to help him up. "Sorry, Cas. But I think even you know when you're beat."