13
Sagan
Meeting Avior at the door was pure good luck that I more than deserved after all of the horrible things that had happened to me in less than a month. He knew everyone and how to cut through so much of the bluster and headaches. Yes, it was also that I’d used that code phrase, but others wouldn’t have given me the time of day still.
He was a smart man.
“I won’t be stupid enough to collect it all tonight, so don’t you dare think to disappear on me,” I warned. “One of the family themselves is involved and will be here shortly.” I realized that was maybe too big of a bluff. “Maybe not shortly, but they’ll be here.”
He studied me again. “I’ve never screwed anyone over who didn’t deserve it, and my word is my business. Plus, I think you will be the next fighter I make a lot of money on, darling. I want you to come back.”
Fair enough.
Things moved way too fast with his help and then it was time to fight. I honestly couldn’t believe that, but also… They lost nothing really if I was beaten up. It was still something entertaining while they found another fighter.
The place itself was one big cliché. A warehouse half converted with bars and a damn fighting ring that was permanent, so clearly they were confident they’d never be raided. It was meant to try and all look like a nightclub, but they really didn’t try hard.
At all.
“Get naked, bitch,” someone jeered from the crowd as I was brought to the fighter’s area.
I rolled my eyes and took off my cloak. I glanced around and found someone who looked to be on staff. “Thousand dollars if you watch my stuff while I fight and it doesn’t vanish.”
She nodded. “I’ll get it to the bar and they’ll watch it. Legit.”
“Thanks.” I hurried to take off my shoes and everything else I needed to.
“You have to fight in your third form,” she hissed at me when it was clear I was done.
I frowned at her and changed forms with the clothes I had on, the magic of them adjusting to my new size. I flinched as the taunts around me died some.
Right, most people didn’t have the money to afford magical clothes or such expensive gear. Shit.
Well, even with glamour, I’m not being naked before or after a fight. No way. Someone could figure out one day who I am and—no.
Eloise wasthrilledto be free, and to my utter dismay, actually did a damn happy dance which actually worked in my favor because people forgot about my magical fighting gear… And went back to taunting me. Yeah, even I couldn’t blame them for that one.
Any fighter whose dragon did ahappy danceafter changing forms deserved it.
Can you be serious?
She apologized in my mind but clearly didn’t mean it, too happy to have her freedom. She wanted to know exactly how long she could stay out and what I wanted from her.
Right then I told her to get ready to fight and stretch out since I didn’t know how long we would have before things started.
That was enough for the moment, but she more played than anything… Which again actually worked in my favor. Every time I glanced at the boards, the odds for the fight were changing.
And never in my favor. At one point, it was 62:1 meaning sixty-two dollars paid out for every dollar bet if I won.
Which apparentlyno onewas betting on from what I could tell. I was the only bet. The hundred thousand I’d brought plus the ten million borrowed against the prize.
I turned when I heard a whistle that seemed more than normal cheering. Avior was there trying to get my attention, so I went over.
“I can’t cover this much and the cap is 25:1 payout,” he yelled over the crowd. “House rules. This isn’t a casino or the mafia. Owner keeps it lower stakes than that.”
I swallowed a snort. Owner?
More like elder.
