I am the greatest supervillain who ever lived.
Kaiser
* * *
Bella stands in the center of the fighting ring, beautiful and terrifying. The room is swimming, and my head is throbbing. She definitely poisoned me. And Jaeger punched me.
But I can’t tear my eyes from her. She’s got her hair up all cute again. Dyed bright pink. Her face is a bloody mask, her eyes wild. She’s propped her foot on a huge fighter, who is face down in a pool of blood.
It’s definitely her. That toxic combination of excitement and murderous glee.
“Let me go,” I growl to my brothers.
They hesitate, but Jaeger barks at them to do it.
“Secure the room,” I tell Jaeger. “Get everyone out of here.”
He nods, and I turn slowly to face the ring. I take a step and stumble.
Jaeger reaches for me, and I push his arm away.
I will crawl to her if I have to.
Jaeger shouts at the people, clearing them out. The rest of Fraternitas spreads out, shoving people to get them to leave.
I limp forward like I’m moving through mud. My body has healed—Atticus made sure of that—but whatever Bella drugged me with is still in my system.
But time slows, and everything fades out of existence when I look at her. If it takes me an eternity to get to her, I will count it a blessing because it means more time to bask in her presence.
I step up to the ring, and she sees me. “What are you doing? You idiot. Let me help you.”
I sag on the ropes and let her fuss over me. “You don’t have to be strong all the time. You can ask for help.”
She’s glorious. The ring lights are hot on my skin, but she outshines them all.
“You could’ve died,” I growl.
“No. Well, maybe. But I didn’t.” Her lips and chin are bright with blood. So is her chest. It might not all be her blood.
The swelling on the right side of her face, though, tells me the Giant got at least one good hit in. He hurt her. I’d kill him and desecrate his body if she hadn’t already destroyed him so thoroughly.
“I could kill my brothers for allowing this?—”
“I didn’t give them a choice. And Jaeger and Atticus helped me. Atticus figured out a way to poison the Giant before he even set foot in the ring.” She grins. “We made a plan. It was dangerous, but I had help.”
My legs feel weak. I’m hanging on the ropes. She brushes her hand over my new hair growth, and goosebumps rise on my back.
“You fought for me.” My throat is closing. I have to force the words out. “It was supposed to be me, but you took my place.”
“Of course I did. Come here.” She helps me climb through the ropes, into the ring. I’m getting stronger just by being in her presence.
Her poison hums under my skin.
“Bella,” I reach for her, then remember she’s poison. “I wish I could touch you.”
“You can.” She wipes her face, cleaning some of the blood away, but the bare skin of her arms is still slick and shiny. “I used poisons you’re immune to.”
“What?”
