“Did you kill him?” Lou gasped after hacking up water.
“No.” Unsheathing a dagger at my hip, I ran it across Danny’s neck. Blood spurted in rhythmic bursts, coating my hands before slowing to a drizzle. “Now I did.”
Lou gaped at me as I stood.
Danny’s warriors stared at me with mixed expressions–wary respect, shock, and some even looked relieved.
“I’m going to give most of you a pass and assume this was all Danny’s doing. After all, he was your leader—he knew better than to gamble with your lives and pit you against your own. And he paid for it with his life.”
“Most?” Lou whispered.
“Dusty and Matt are taking your places, and you’ve been demoted to third.”
Although I should demote him to the Bowels Squadron, Lou knew better too. But I had a feeling Danny threatened him, so I let it go.
This wasn’t the original way I planned to change their leadership, but it worked nonetheless.
“And you,” I said, pointing to the male immobilized at the pond’s center, “didn’t Danny tell you that murdering one of your squadmates is against our rules? Did you want to die?”
I released him, and he slumped next to the unconscious male sprawled on the ice. “No, General.”
“Didn’t think so.” I turned on my heel and yelled over my shoulder, “Someone burn your dead leader so he can cycle to the king to be judged.” I left them, not feeling an ounce of remorse, and hoping Danny’s soul descended to a lower circle.
I headed back toward the arena in search of Alexei. Once inside, I spotted him in the back, near the weights and several attractive souls.
“Alexei,” I called out.
He stood, widening his eyes, taking in my soaked hair. “Did they get your wings?”
“No, never materialized them.”
“Shame. I’ve been wanting to test my aim.” Alexei held out a pair of boxing gloves.
“If the Devils didn’t burn Danny’s body, he still may be back in the Verdant Forest for you to fry.” I shucked my bloody gloves for the ones Alexei handed me.
Alexei’s brows raised. “You sure he didn’t get your wings wet?”
“Only my face with his spit, then his power, after I found him gambling againsthis squad’s lives.”
Alexei groaned. “And you’re telling me I missed his beatdown and murder? Why do you always keep me away from the fun?”
Fun wasn’t the word I’d use. Danny’s death was a necessity—a reminder of what happened when they broke the rules or disrespected me. Moira may be furious I murdered her friend. But this was the way of Hell.
“Next time. Now let’s box, or tomorrow I’m making everyone sprint through Veil Forest.”
He smirked, putting in his mouth guard and gloving his hands. Once ready, I came at him hard, throwing combinations and putting my weight behind my jabs. He grunted with each hit but came back at me with just as much force. We both relished the intensity of our fights. Alexei liked to call them our therapy sessions, and I agreed. My thoughts, worries, and anger all fell away—even the connection to Rune muted. Just me, Alexei, and our fists.
Pure bliss.
Chapter
Nine
LUCILLE
After meandering the halls on unsteady legs, Oliver, Rune, and I stumbled upon the glorious kitchens. A sweet female named Dorus gave Oliver and me a slice of quiche, and Rune a big hunk of raw meat. On our way out, she handed us a handful of truffles, lightening the weight on my chest caused by the king’s words. We snuck our forbidden treats into the library but left Rune outside the doors before settling in to read—she was harder to hide.
By lunchtime, I’d finished ten chapters—a tenth of the book. Oliver, however, was nearly halfway through. But his method of reading consisted of a quick glance before flipping the page. I wasn’t even sure that was classified as reading.
