Izzy flipped her the bird and then stepped down from the stands as security escorted her out.
Holy freaking crap!
I had no idea someone could forfeit their right to the crown and get out of the competition. I would do that too before I fought my own sibling. Izzy had just gained my respect in droves.
Everyone was silent, unsure what would happen next as Izzy was walked out the double doors.
The announcer looked perplexed, consulting her sheet of paper. “Okay! Isabella Drake has taken the coward’s way out. That leaves us with…” She peered down at her paper again. “Georgio and Nico are the next fight!”
The crowd roared and my gaze flicked to Georgio.
The tall vampire looked to Luka and gave him a curt nod. He stood, and my stomach tied itself into a knot. Was he also going to—?
“I forfeit my right to the crown for all eternity,” he said with a bit of a pained expression.
The entire crowd took a collective gasp, myself included.
Izzy hadn’t just forfeited so that she wouldn’t fight her own brother. Luka had formed allies and they were bowing to him left and right, that much was for sure. Pride swelled inside my chest. They believed he would be the best king and it brought tears to my eyes.
“Nonsense!” Morgana cried out as a huge grin spread across Luka’s face. Cassara looped her arm through his and snuggled into him, glaring Morgana down. Well, at least she was sticking up for her man. I guess I should be grateful for that.
Theo stood. “It’s clear some alliances have formed!” Theo was a badass vamp from what little I knew. He was Morgana’s brother, but it was clear by the way he glared at his sister that they would have no problem tearing each other apart.
The announcer looked to the corner of the room, where a few old vampires sat. They reeked of power and wore long cloaks like they were born in another era altogether. I didn’t notice them before, so they must have slid in while I was feeding Luka. “Alliances are not against the rules,” one of them stated loudly for all to hear.
The announcer fumbled with her paperwork, clearly flustered. “Nico Drake and Luka Drake, you are next to fight—unless one of you wants to forfeit as well?” she growled as the crowd stayed silent.
I did a quick count of who was left. Morgana, Nico, Luka, Theo, and Vera. That was it. Five. Excitement thrummed through me. Maybe Luka could really be king and it would take less time than we thought, which meant saving my mom sooner.
“Oh, I’m fighting formycrown,” Nico snapped and stood, pumping his hands into fists. Luka gave Nico a look of absolute hatred as Cassara placed a swift kiss on Luka’s cheek, which knotted my stomach even more.
The crowd went wild, like they were a bunch of crazed maniacs who couldn’t go without a fight. Morgana had left the mat and was now walking back up to her spot in the bleachers as Luka and Nico made their way to the mats. The crowd stomped their feet in anticipation and I couldn’t help but feel sick at the way the vampires did this all so publicly.
‘This is so messed up,’I told Luka.
He gave me a curt nod.‘And yet it’s the most important part of the trials. No vampire will follow a leader who is weak.’
That was a fair point.
‘Use your compulsion!’I said suddenly, remembering he was a master of it.
‘Against the rules. Besides, it has its consequences,’was all he said.
They both walked over to the weapons rack but Luka bypassed it, choosing nothing as Nico picked out the axe.
It felt like my eyes might fall out of my head.‘What are you doing? Grab a sword or something.’
Luka looked over at me, then winked and my stomach dropped. Holy hell he was sexy. Maybe I should reconsider the mistress thing.
“Luka Drake is feeling brave and chooses no weapon!” the announcer stated.
The crowd went insane, screaming and beating on their chests in excitement.
God help them all. They were crazy.
I swallowed hard and the bell went off. The two men zoomed at each other and my heart leapt into my throat, where it would remain until Luka either won or died.
The two figures were almost too hard to track, but the second Nico stepped into Luka’s space, he brought the axe down. Luka pulled his fist up and blocked the axe by grasping the handle and wrenching it out of Nico’s hands.
