The bell sounded, and I moved. My first punch caused the demon to stumble back a step, and I pushed the advantage. Every punch was hard and fast as I channeled all my rage into the fight, and it felt fucking amazing. I let go, taking my pain and frustration out on the demon in front of me. It was much more satisfying than hitting the punching bag in Roth’s gym.
It had been a long time since I’d felt like this. I’d spent the past couple of decades fighting with weapons, which always seemed less intimate. And even after I’d given Sam my axes, I went for the fast kill every time. That wasn’t an option right now. The rules of the tournament dictated no kill shots until the third round. The demons wanted a show before things got too deadly.
A fist flew toward my face and I ducked, using the demon’s momentum to knock him off-balance. His back hit the cage as he stumbled, and I surged forward. I hadn’t fought like this since I’d snapped and killed the human boy. It was scary how easily I slipped back into being the person I’d been then, unleashing myself on my opponent without holding back. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, and I felt high on the sheer lack of restraint.
That was my darkest secret, the one part I’d left out when I told Laila the story of how I’d ended up in the secret order, and the part that really ate at me. I’d enjoyed that fight, the release that had come with it. I’d only regretted it later, when the reality of what I’d done kicked in.
A bell sounded, and arms pulled me away from the demon. He spat blood and glared at me. We were both breathing hard, and I could feel my muscles burning where he’d gotten hits in.
I allowed myself one glance at Laila—because I couldn’t help myself, not because I thought it was actually a good idea.
Her expression was unreadable, but she was watching me intently. Was this making her see me differently? Would she finally see the truth of who I was and the darkness that lurked inside me?
She mouthed something that I couldn’t make out, and then it was time for the second round.
I focused a bit more on defense this time, taking more time between my attacks as the exhaustion of the day warred with the adrenaline in my system.
When the bell signaled the end of round two, I leaned against the side of the cage, collecting myself and preparing for the real fight that would be round three. The first two were a show for the entertainment of those watching. This was what it all came down to.
My eyes found Laila again. This was for her, all for her. My entire life felt like it had led me to this moment, and I was going to keep my promise to her. I placed my fist over my heart and bowed my head. I wasn’t sure if the first order used that show of respect and honor, but the intent was there regardless.
And then the bell sounded for the last time. This wouldn’t end until someone was down—dead or otherwise unable to get up.
My breath sawed in and out of my lungs as I eyed the demon. This time I was making him come to me. Playtime was over, and now all I needed was the opening to go for the kill shot.
I blocked a handful of half-assed punches before driving my knee into his groin. I realized my mistake in getting so close half a second before claws dug deep into my back, sending a rush of blood sliding down my skin and dripping to the floor.
The demon grunted in pain and dropped to his knees, but he’d done the damage he’d meant to. I didn’t need anyone to tell me to know the cuts were deep. My vision blurred, and I knew I had less than a minute to end this fight before I passed out.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself forward. My body felt heavy and slow as I reached for the demon, climbing on top of him. I wrapped my fingers around his neck and squeezed with everything I had left. His eyes bulged, his hands flying to his throat to pry my fingers away, and I shoved my other hand into his chest. My hand closed around his heart and yanked. The demon turned to nothing but a cloud of black smoke underneath me.
I pitched forward as the hand that had been around his neck was suddenly holding nothing but air.
“Joriel!” I heard Laila scream my name as I fell. I’d promised her I wouldn’t die, that I’d be okay. I fought to keep my eyes open, to turn my head and search for her in the crowd, but my body wasn’t having it. Darkness crowded in on me, and the shouts around me faded away.
TWENTY-THREE
Joriel
“You promised me,”Laila’s voice whispered into the darkness. “You swore that you’d be okay.”
I struggled to open my eyes, but they felt glued shut. I gave up on my eyes and focused on my other senses. I was lying on my stomach on what felt like a bed. The sheets smelled of my blood, the scent strong enough to drown out all others. There was a dull burning in my back, not as sharp as it had felt when the demon’s claws sank into my flesh but enough to tell me that the wound had been bad. Fingers stroked through my no-longer-braided hair, light and soothing in a way that only hers could be.
I had to open my eyes. I had to see that she was okay. It took more effort than it should have to get my lids to lift, but I finally managed it.
My face was turned on the pillow, and all I could see was a jeans-clad thigh.
“Laila?” My voice sounded raspy and weak.
“I’m right here,” she answered, and the thigh shifted.
I moved my hands underneath myself and tried to sit up. The burn in my back flared, and I stopped trying. I settled for throwing an arm around Laila’s waist, using her as an anchor to pull myself closer until I could lay my head in her lap. “What happened?”
Her fingers returned to my hair. “Well, Roth spent the past hour digging bits of demon claw out of your back so you could actually begin to heal. And that’s pretty much all we’ve had time for since getting back. He bandaged the cuts but said there’s nothing else we can do from here.”
Roth was right—there was nothing else to be done. I’d heal… slowly. And in the meantime, I needed to get up. My back screamed in protest as I pushed up again.
“Stop,” Laila said. “Don’t move.”
