[Isolde]
At first, they seemed evenly matched.
Nikolai moved almost haphazardly, his body a blur of motion as he dodged and weaved around his father's attacks. He was fast—faster than I'd ever seen him move—his reflexes honed from years of training.
When Nicolo swung at him, Nikolai ducked and rolled, coming up in a defensive crouch with his claws extended.
For a few breathless moments, I almost believed he could hold his own.
Then his father really started fighting.
The older man's fist connected with Nikolai's ribs with a sickening crack that echoed across the courtyard. The sound made my stomach lurch.
Nikolai gasped, the air driven from his lungs as he staggered sideways, one hand clutching his side.
He didn't get a chance to recover.
Nicolo was already moving, closing the d
