“I hope it runs in the DNA,” she responded.
Blair made a noise of disgust. “I need a break from the two of you,” she stated.
Grim fired his shotgun, the blast echoing like a cannon, distracting a second ogre. Crash Out darted in, swords flashing, but it was War who descended, chain glowing with runes. He wrapped it around the ogre’s neck and, with a brutal twist, tore its head clean off.
The third ogre tried to retreat, its arm frozen and shattered by a warlock’s spell. War floated in front of it and lashed his chain, severing its head. The crowd erupted, and I felt Jinx fidgeting with excitement beside me.
I watched as War lifted another ogre, spinning it like a ragdoll before slamming it down hard enough to crack the stone. He stomped on its skull, crushing it flat, and the warlocks around us scribbled faster, their quills echoing over the roars of the ogres.
When the last ogre fell, War stood in the center of the arena, shirtless and soaked in blood. He held two severed heads high, letting the blood pour down his arms and chest, savoring the moment. The crowd of warlocks cheered, pumping their fists.
“Damn, that was fast,” Jinx said, clapping.
Meanwhile, I was mesmerized as I watched War carve a symbol on his chest. He was a sinister and barbaric wizard—and he was all mine. I wanted that kind of power. I wanted an audience to study my talents and use them in combat.
War swaggered over to me after dropping one of the ogre’s heads. He placed the head in my lap, and Blair scooted over, shooting daggers at War. Jinx sniffed the ogre’s head and poked it as the heavy thing almost crushed my legs.
“Y’all are up next,” War said.
“What!” Blair shouted.
“I didn’t stutter. I said y’all are up next! Either get in the game or get in the dungeon,” War responded.
“War, she doesn’t want to,” I spoke up.
“She doesn’t have a choice. When one fights, the rest follow. It’s called partnership. If she’s your sister like you claim, she’ll fight with you. I’m curious to see how loyal these friends of yours are, especially this one,” War said, looking Blair in her eyes.
“You’re tweaking to kill me,” War taunted her.
“War, don’t start with her,” I pleaded.
“This is my kingdom, Eboenia. I can do as I please. This one has a personal vendetta against me,” War replied.
“You don’t know shit about me!” Blair screamed at him.
War smirked, showing the swords on his teeth. A dagger appeared in his hand and he handed it to Blair. “Go ahead and get your lick back for me hanging your lover upside down in my dungeon,” War told her.
“What lover? Blair doesn’t have a lover,” I spoke out.
“Damn, you don’t know about her and Crane?” War asked.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Blair yelled at War.
The stadium grew quiet, and the warlocks stood with their hands glowing, ready to strike Blair dead if they had to. I stood, dropped the ogre’s head with a loud thump, pulled her back, and stepped in front of her.
“We don’t have a problem! Everybody be easy! She’s just mourning her man’s soon-to-death!” War told his men.
“Why are you standing in front of her? What, you think I can’t get through you?” War asked me, the veins popping in his neck from the adrenaline he still had from defeating the ogres.
“Please just leave her alone,” I whispered.
War stepped away, the dagger turning into ashes. “She ain’t sitting on her ass while we’re in training. If she could train for Charmden, she can battle with her sisters. She can’t get in that ring, she can get put in the ground. Something about fucking an elf rubs me the wrong way,” War said.
“I did not side with them and I was forced to train with them. You just want Eboenia to yourself!” Blair gritted.
“I ain’t gotta bullshit around to have what belongs to me,” War replied, then crossed his arms. “So, what are we doing, dummy? You getting your wings bloody or are you going to get put down?” War asked.
“Girl, please just come on. I’m not trying to die here. I’m too pretty for that,” Jinx told Blair.
