There is a slight intermission before the second round starts, only ten rounds remain. The tank has been covered up, and Estrella Fitzgerald makes her way back to the full stage. "Chosen, if you will please come down, and bring your weapon.We have a special treat today. Arabella has so graciously offered to fight in the forthcoming battle. The next round will test not only everyone's abilities to work together, but how well they handle high pressure situations. Together they will fight against one thousand of Inferno's toughest death row prisoners. If you lose, you die, and if they win, they are set free. We don't care if this takes all night. We will remain here, patiently waiting."
The crowd only has eyes for me as I slowly walk toward the stage, and after hearing that we're going to fight all these rabid criminals, all I can think is fuck those freshwater mermaids, and what the hell was I thinking agreeing to be a part of this? Hopefully my face doesn't betray me and reveal what I'm feeling.
The gasp throughout the arena is all that can be heard when Sebastian grabs my hand as I move to stand by his side. Since we had our talk, there is no reason for our Bound tattoos to be covered up with magic. A camera closes in on the matching tats, and the people grow loud with excitement.
Damien comes out in a referee outfit, and that tight shirt should be against the law. Sebastian rolls his eyes.Stop looking at him like that or I'll push him in the water tank after stirring up the poisonous octopuses with my shadows.
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. I love the fact that he's jealous. He clearly doesn't need to be but teasing him may be my new favorite thing.Please, you’ll always be my only, but I'm not dead.
Damien smiles over in our direction, which makes me have to slap one of Sebastian's shadows away from trying to hit him. "Here are the rules. One hundred fighters will be released every ten minutes, and if you fail to defeat all one hundred in that time frame, your battle will only get harder, because thenext hundred will soon be on their way. It is advised that you defeat them all within that amount of time."
Alberto walks up casually and takes the mic. We’re all dressed in black as if this will be a funeral for some of us, and the nausea rolls deep in my belly as I realize that this is a kill or be killed event. The contract we all signed in our blood cannot be undone. For the first time, I'll have to take lives today, because it can't be me that gets placed in a body bag. The weariness that comes with being a savior to our people rests heavily upon my shoulders.
Looking toward my fellow contestants, they don't appear upset or fearful, only determined. Maybe this is normal for them, but it's not for me. I can't stop thinking about how we must face a total of one thousand opponents.Without any warning, Damien lifts his hand and throws a rock down on the floor, transporting us out of the arena and into a makeshift battlefield. The field is overgrown with weeds and there is a breeze blowing through the pine trees. The pink and purple sky of dusk looks like it was hand painted by an artist. It's quiet, too quiet, because it's the calm before the storm.?
As if on cue, Damien takes out a whistle and blows, signaling the start of the second challenge. Sebastian grabs my face for a kiss.Stay close. We'll fight together.?My lips find him, and I pour everything into our earth-shattering kiss, because what if it's our last?Where you go, I go.?
The ground shakes in front of us as it splits in half, parting the soil beneath. Black smoke leers from the opening like a premonition to a forthcoming nightmare. My body shivers in anticipation, not only with excitement but with the realization that we could die. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end when the high-pitched wails start. The sound travels through the air slowly, promising death to all who listen. It starts as awhisper then grows louder, until I have to fight the urge to cover my ears, because I know everyone is watching, and I can't show any weakness.
Sebastian holds me close as a mist explodesaround us, lightning crashes in the distance, then all hell breaks loose. Otherworldly creatures surround us on all sides, my companions wait for my signal to attack but they won’t receive it, because I was taught to wait.
A seven-foot-tall beast with a high ponytail and six arms grins when recognition of who I am lights his unpleasant features. He stomps toward me, but I hold my ground. My dark Prince stands in front of me, but I push my way past him and can feel his anger from doing so.You may be my partner, but I am still the leader.
He rolls his eyes.What’s that got to do with me trying to keep you safe?
The Beast seems to be the leader of this group of one hundred. He takes six swords out of their sheaths then charges me. Sliding in between his legs, I take billy club, that I call Billie out to play. Jumping up two of his muscled arms, I bash his head in with the nails on the top of my club. Turning around I charge toward the next, not allowing myself the time to think about what just happened or what I just did.
It’s not until the fourth round that one of us is killed. Her body is carried away, but there is no time to mourn. We are tired, bruised, and sweaty. I’ve killed so many I’ve lost count. Sebastian slaughters even more since his shadows can take out twenty targets at once. The only wound I have is on my right arm, the cut is superficial, but my dark Prince disemboweled the man for his insolence. His words, not mine.
With the tenth round came more giants, and supernatural’s. Amelia and Sebastian have been bickering on and off about who is the best. They’ve been keeping record on their kills and Sebastian is ahead by fifteen but it’s not from her lack of trying. I fall to my knees when the fighting is over. The bruises on my body are begging to be soaked in Epsom salt. I’ll need to be healed by Merrie-Beth soon, we’ll all need our Healers when we’re transported back.
Chapter 27
The Beginning of the Woes
I couldn’t watch one more person die today, but little did I know, Death was right around the corner.?
-Arabella
I'm still on my knees when we are sent back to the arena, nausea swells inside of me from what we've had to endure, and the exhaustion is beginning to set in. With our appearance, the crowd goes wild screaming our names, and excitement can be seen even from the rafters. Only four of us remain, the others are dead. More funerals will need to be planned, along with more families that will be without loved ones tonight. Sebastian helps me to my feet, and Uncle Jo is there to escort me back to the balcony. Guilt pierces through me, because I get to rest now, the others do not. How is that fair?
When we get out of sight, Uncle Jo takes me in his arms. His strength engulfs me and causes me to lose it. All the pent-up raw emotions leak from my eyes. My tears are for all those who have died, for those of us that remain, and for the fact that I don't regret killing any of those monsters in the last round. That last thought is the one that breaks me.
Uncle Jo kisses my forehead and holds me until all the tension departs my body, and I’m grateful he doesn’t feel the need to try and make me feel better with words. I just need to be held. With a deep breath I step away. "Thank you." I whisper hoarsely.
"I will not only stand by you through the good, but also through the darkest times." He kisses my forehead.
Merrie-Beth opens the door to the hallway and rushes to my side. Her cheeks are flushed like she ran a marathon to get to me. "I was so scared, Arabella, but you were awesome. I've never seen you more in your element than on that battlefield. I'm so proud of you!"
I smile at her words. Leave it to my best friend to turn a grave situation into something positive. "God knew I needed you Merrie-Beth."
She smiles. "I am awesome."
I laugh. "Definitely, and very humble."
She shrugs, and her back stiffens as the door opens behind her. Two men hover in the double door entrance way, both are tall and intimidating. Not to mention, hot. Their intense stares are locked on Merrie-Beth's back. My first instinct as always is to protect her. Grabbing Billie from the wall, I move to a position where it would be easier for me to shield my best friend if need be. "Can I help you?" My tone is not friendly, but not overly bitchy either. Growing up southern means I wouldn't normally be so borderline rude, but it’s clear that they are making her uncomfortable, and that is not okay with me.
Both of the Fae males are very attractive, and royal. The proof of which is in the lime color of their eyes. The first has darker hair than even my dark Prince has. Wearing nothing but black from head to toe, his whole demeanor exudes danger. Heignores my question. "Merrie-Beth." His deep voice is more of a command than a greeting.
