Prologue
UNKNOWN
She wasfuckingmagnificent.
I hadn’t missed a performance since I’d been notified of her arrival.
Before she appeared, I couldn’t remember the last time I had attended these events; my interest had faded years ago.
Some never tire of the battles fought here. They thrive on the blood and gore, as well as the desperation of the warriors involved. I had enjoyed it just as much as anyone when it all began. However, I eventually grew bored, as I often did.
Nothing held my attention for long…until now…until her.
My little Bellator.
Whether I wanted to love her or kill her was still unclear.
Iwas home, sitting in my study by a roaring fire and sipping a brandy that had been part of the spoils from one of our recent victories. When Ubel walked in. My tolerance for the man was growing thin, but for now, he was still needed.
“Do you assume you’re not required to knock?” I raised my brow in question.
“Your house staff let me in.” He removed his jacket and fixed himself a drink.
His actions demonstrated that he believed he was entirely safe from my anger. For the moment, he was, but that wouldn’t last forever.
“I’ll need a name. Whoever it was needs to be punished.” I waited for his answer, but he changed the subject.
I knew the little bitch had let himself in.
“When was the last time you left this house and went out into Aurathia? Or visited the coliseum?” He eyed my clothes in distaste. “Have you even changed your clothes in the last week? It seems to the rest of us that you’ve become somewhat of a recluse.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why do any of you think that your opinions matter to me?” He hesitated, subtly shifting back in the face of my annoyance. “If there's a purpose to this visit, please get to it. I have important matters to attend to, and you’re interrupting.”
“Things like getting blind drunk?” Ubel casually walked around the room, picking up items from the shelf and putting them back, but never quite in the same position.
Apparently, he was braver with a little distance between us; what a fool.
My blood began to heat, and the familiar need to kill began to overtake me at the sight of him touching my things. The man was clever and manipulative, but never stupid; he usually handled me with kid gloves.
Sanity was not my strong suit, and he knew that.
Today, he was almost cocky; now my curiosity was piqued.
“Cut the bullshit. Why are you here?” I growled, determined to find out what he was up to.
“You need to make an appearance at the coliseum. We have a new warrior that I think will interest you.” Ubel smirked, then took a seat on my couch, spreading both arms on the back as if he lived here.
“Why the hell would I give a shit?” I was fighting the need to rip his throat out. “I was over the fuckery that takes place there years ago.”
“I get that you believe you have more pressing matters, but you’ll want to be there for this.” He flashed that crocodile grin of his, which made me grind my teeth.
“I’m growing tired of your company, so if you have something to tell me, get to it. I hate the way you dance around things.” I cocked a single brow. “One day I’m going to lose patience.” I stared at him, letting him see the murderous rage in my eyes that I usually kept hidden and sending my shadows to cover the floor like a heavy fog.
Ubel flinched but then sat up straighter, finding the balls to continue as if he wasn’t staring death in the face. “This ennui that’s affected you the last few years has really grown tiresome.” When I gave him no reaction, he huffed out a breath in exasperation. “Fine. Her name, the warrior’s name, is Reverie, and she’s the daughter of Adelaide.”
I sat up straight. “Adelaide Hawthorne?”
“Is there another?” He raised one eyebrow in question.
