Dueling tournaments allowed an opportunity for Tatiana's mask of vapid femininity to slip somewhat, but as she stood opposite her opponent, she still felt a sense of longing, for this was not true combat but further playacting. Oh well—at least it was playacting with a competitive edge.

The witch cast Mr. Macmillan a familiar smile and all but ignored the woman against who she was dueling.

"Slugulus Eructo!" Tatiana murmured quietly, the slug-vomiting charm erupting from her wand.