From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Descenter hesitated.
Hand tightening around the handle of the axe, I shot forward,
dragging the heavyy weapon through the air. He tried to move back, but I
caught him in the stomach. Blood sprayyed as he shouted, dropping the
sword to cradle his midsection, his—
Bile hit the back of myy throat as I brought the axe down on his neck,
ending what would’ve surelyy been a painful death from disembowelment.
Hand aching, I gripped the axe as a Descenter took down one of the
guards and then moved toward Tawnyy, his sword dripping blood. Lifting
the axe over myy head, I did just as Vikter had taught me. I made sure the
blade was perfectlyy straight as I brought it back over myy head and then
heaved it forward, releasing it. It winged through the air, striking the
Descenter in the back. He toppled forward, his sword falling to the floor.
“Gods,” Lord Mazeen uttered, staring at me with wide eyyes.
“Remember that,” I warned, sweeping down to pick up the fallen
short sword. “And this,” I spat. Light and double-edged, I sliced open the
throat of the next Descenter.
Breathing heavilyy, I turned back to the door just as Vikter thrust his
sword through the last Descenter. Onlyy one other guard remained standing.
I lowered the sword, myy chest rising and falling as I stepped over the
bodyy…parts. “Is that all?”
Vikter glanced out to the hall. “I think so, but we shouldn’t stayy here.”
There was no wayy in the world I would stayy in this room. The
Duchess and the Lord could do whatever theyy wanted. I turned to Tawnyy.
“How?” the Duchess demanded, her hands and clothing free of blood
and gore while I had to be swimming in it. “How is this possible?” she
demanded, staring down at the mess. “How?”
“I trained her,” Vikter answered, shocking me. “I’ve never been more
glad that I did than I am right now.”
“I do not believe she is in need of anyy Royyal Guards,” the Lord
commented dryylyy, his nose wrinkling as he flicked something off his tunic.
“But so veryy unbecoming of a Maiden.”
I was two seconds awayy from showing him just how unbecoming I
could be.
Vikter touched myy arm, drawing myy attention to him. Later, he
mouthed. “Come.” He glanced at Tawnyy. “This isn’t safe.”