Couples fell one by one. Soon it was just them and two others: Lilith with Bradley, and a couple from finance she didn’t recognize.
The finance couple went down to a vicious double-team from Lilith.
“Just us,” Lilith said, spinning a ball on one finger. “How poetic.”
Bradley had two balls, one in each hand. His expression was still vacant, but his body moved with purpose. Lilith’s purpose.
They threw simultaneously. Three balls. Different angles.
Victor dodged left, pulling Ava with him. Two balls missed. The third caught him in the shoulder as he shoved her clear.
“Out!” Beleth called, delighted.
Now it was just Ava against both of them.
“You can surrender,” Lilith offered. “Save yourself the embarrassment.”
Bradley was already grabbing more ammunition. Lilith strolled forward. Casual. Confident. Her smile said she’d already won.
Ava grabbed a ball that had rolled to her feet. Bradley threw. She dodged. Threw back. Missed.
Lilith wound up for a fastball aimed at Ava’s stomach.
Ava caught it clean.
The gym went silent.
“Lilith’s out,” Azrael said mildly.
Lilith’s perfect composure cracked. “That’s not… she can’t…”
“Clean catch. You’re out.”
“Bradley, end this!”
But Bradley was scrambling for balls, his movements suddenly uncoordinated without Lilith’s influence. Ava grabbed one from the floor. Took aim.
Threw.
The ball caught him center chest.
“Game!” Grimm announced.
Ava turned to Victor, grinning, ready to celebrate?—
“Look out!” he shouted.
She ducked instinctively.
A red ball, thrown by Lilith with vicious force, whistled over her head and smashed into the wall behind her. The impact left a dent in the plaster.
It bounced back violently.
The sound it made hitting Lilith’s face was magnificent.
The gym went dead silent.
Lilith stood frozen. Nose bleeding. A perfect red circle blooming on her forehead. The ball rolled away innocently.
