“I’ve already killed one guy in the ring,” Bones threatened. “I’ll kill you, too.”
“With what weapon?” I taunted.
“You’re a freak!” Bones shouted.
He lunged at me again, and we ended up in a scuffle on the ground. We both foughtdirty— throwing fists into throats and sinking fingers into eye sockets. I could hardly keep track of which way his fist was flying as it connected with my skin in various places.
Was it insane that I enjoyed the pain? I was playing nice, to be honest, because I knew that in one swift move, I could end his life. But I didn’t want to kill Bones— only teach him a lesson, and send him straight to Cellblock 9.
I was getting sick of this. I kicked him off of me and scrambled across the beach. With a twitch of my fingers, the air swept out of Bones’ lungs.
“No—” he gasped, but the word was silenced immediately. I could feel him gasping for breath, but my magic resisted him.
I stepped forward, sneering. “I could suffocate you right here, right now.”
I gave him just enough air so he could respond. “So do it,” he rasped. “If you’re so strong.”
I scoffed. “You want me to stoop to your level? I’m nothing like you.”
Bones chuckled. “And yet we’re both here in the Institute. You’re a bad guy, Charlie. Stop trying to convince yourself you’re a hero.”
My magic faltered for a second. Bones may not have the strength of a vampire, but he sure as hell knew where to hit me so it hurt.
Bones drew a breath, then shoved his knee into my balls. I gasped as pain riveted through my body. I couldn’t help it when I sank to my knees. Nausea hit me so hard, I thought I was going to spew my guts.
“Charlie!” Marcus screamed, but he sounded distant.
“Huh,” Bones said, like he was intrigued. “Guess you’re not as bulletproof as you thought. I win.”
I heard the sound of a pocketknife click open. Bones must’ve conjured it, though I didn’t know how he’d smuggled it into the prison. I expected him to come for me, but he didn’t. Instead, he turned toward Marcus.
“Your traitorous ass is going to pay,” he growled.
Marcus screamed when he saw the blade. The memory of my dream flashed through my mind. I couldn’t bear for Marcus to meet the same tragic fate that Monica had.
I leapt to my feet and threw myself at Bones. My hand connected with his shoulder. I couldn’t make sense of the anger that bubbled through me at that moment. Magic sizzled in my chest, then just… exploded out of me. It wasn’t my own. It belonged to Bones— his battle magic that I’d absorbed a minute ago.
The blast sent Bones spiraling through the air. His screams echoed through the prison yard. Then came the splash.
Horror swept through me. Bones had landed in the lake. It wasn’t like when I’d tossed Mad Dog in there my first day here. Mad Dog was a vampire— nearly indestructible.
But Bones… he was siren food.
Bones’ terrified screams cut through the prison yard, sending shivers down my spine. I heard the slap of fins on the surface, and the gurgle of Bones’ cries before he was dragged under, the smell of blood against the water. It wasn’t long before his shouts of pain became silent, and the water went still.
Marcus rushed over to me. I was so stunned, I couldn’t move. We’d killed people during the battle in Forevermore, but that’d beenwar. We were just trying to stay alive, then.
This was different. This was personal. I couldn’t believe what I’d done.
“I— I,” I stammered. I’d wanted to get rid of Bones, but not likethat.
“You did nothing wrong,” Marcus insisted. “Bones’ battle orb backfired on him. It was his own fault.”
Marcus knew that wasn’t true, but that was the story we had to go with.
My knees shook, and my voice came out hollow. “I need to see Captain.”
“You’re going to turn yourself in?” Marcus balked. “Bones did this to himself.”
