I think I knew where I was.
“Liam is going to be so mad at me,” I muttered.
A few moments later, I found myself back where I’d begun the evening. Except rather than an audience member’s vantage from the stands, I was in the pit. High walls surrounded me. A thin layer of sand covered the ground. Metal bars for a ceiling. And the grinding of gears and stone as a second platform began its ascent.
“Ah, crap. This isn’t good.”
I shot a quick look at the stands where Liam and the rest had been sitting earlier. Electric blue eyes pinned mine.
“What. Do. You. Think. You. Are. Doing?” Liam mouthed, looking incensed.
I opened my hands to show my confusion. I had no idea. This wasn’t in my plans for the evening.
Seeing Nathan standing beside Liam, I half heartedly waved.
Nathan shook his head. “You are in so much trouble.”
Didn’t I know it.
Liam’s features tightened. “Stay there. I’m coming.”
Sure thing, husband. I’ll do just that.
I blew out a frustrated breath, knowing I was on my own. The barrow owners weren’t likely to let anyone interfere with their evening’s entertainment.
Let alone a vampire who was Vitus’s enemy.
I wasn’t walking away from this. Not without getting my hands a little dirty.
From what I could tell, there were spells coating the walls and ceiling of the pit. Death magic. Nasty stuff.
No wonder all the fights had ended so gruesomely. The fighters would have lost their rationality minutes after stepping onto the sands. To the point where all they cared about was drawing the blood of whoever was unlucky enough to be in here with them.
Up above, Thomas and Liam were arguing with several Fae.
I took a closer look at the Fae standing just behind the other two. Both of whom looked frazzled but determined. I recognized the one keeping himself apart. He’d been part of the trio that had trespassed on my land.
Not the one I’d shot. Their leader.
I guess that answered the question of whether this place had ties to the Summer King.
You never fail to surprise me, my dear, Ahrun whispered in my head.
In contrast to the amusement I could hear in his voice, Ahrun’s expression remained bored as he lounged in his chair, letting Liam and Thomas do the talking.
If you wanted a larger role in our schemes, you simply had to ask. There was no need to go to these lengths.
Like this was part of my plan.
I nudged Baran with my toe. His body shifted before flopping back into the position it had just been in.
There was no help coming from that corner.
From the snarls growing in volume and intensity, I could tell my opponent was nearly here.
Remember, my dear. Morality has no place on those sands. If you fail, it won’t just be you who pays the price.
The meaningful look he slid toward Liam left me in no doubt what he meant.
