Angel helps me out of the robe and holds the ropes while I scramble into the ring. St. James has disappeared. It’s just me and the Giant and the crowd screaming around us. I wish they’d shut up, but I guess it’s on me if I get distracted.
The lights are hot on my face, and I feel like I’m going to throw up.
Is this how normal people feel? Mortal? Fragile?
My heart is beating so fast, it might fly out of my chest. I grit my teeth and force my breathing to slow.
I’m doing this for Kaiser.
And my mother. And Livia.
And myself.
I’m Belladonna Bosco. The Poisoner. I’ve got plenty of poisons up my sleeve.
It won’t be easy, but I can do it.
I just have to not die.
41
Bella
* * *
The bell rings, startling me out of my thoughts.
The Giant faces me, looming on his side of the ring. He’s got two pentacles tattooed on his cheeks.
“Hi there.” I bounce and give a little wave. “I’m Bella.”
The Giant squints at me, confused. He looks around, as if to say, “Is this for real?”
The Bulls are screaming for my blood. “Hit her! Kill her!” And worse. There’s a whole crowd of them, excited to watch me bleed. And die.
I smile at my opponent. His back stiffens automatically. He doesn’t understand what’s happening, and my behavior is weirding him out.
Good.
“Shake?” I hold out my hand. There’s a second while he hesitates, and I wonder if the Vesuvios figured out how I killed the senator.
But then his hand engulfs mine. I’m dripping sweat already. Shit, I hope the poison sticks.
We shake slowly. His fist is the size of my head.
Don’t let him hit you, Jaeger said. One blow will cave my skull in.
I try to step back, but the Giant’s still holding me. He looks me up and down, a bit mesmerized.
I’ve got a lot of skin on display.
“What happens now?” I say in a little girl’s voice.
“Now you die.”
Shit. Okay.
Your best offense is a good disguise.
