POV: Luna
The announcement goes up on the training board the next morning.
"Darius Kane challenges Luna Eclipse to sanctioned combat. Tomorrow at dawn."
I stare at the notice, my stomach twisting.
Nova reads it over my shoulder and groans. "Are you kidding me? After what he pulled yesterday?"
"He's trying to finish what the sabotage didn't," Aria says, joining us. "This is a trap."
"Maybe." I pull the notice down and fold it carefully. "But I can't back down. Everyone will think I'm scared."
"You should be scared," Sienna says quietly. "Darius is a fourth year. He's been training way longer than you."
"I know."
But what choice do I have? If I refuse, I look weak. If I accept, I might get seriously hurt.
Either way, Darius wins.
"Don't do it," Nova pleads. "Just tell him no."
"I
