Don’t hesitate or second guess yourself. Trust your instincts.
There’s a brief second when the rope burns through before it starts to fall, a moment suspended in time where I feel the tension in the rope beneath my feet loosen. That’s the second that I leap, tucking and rolling as I tumble across the stone on the pillar and directly under the ribbon for the finish line instead of busting through it like normal.
I heave in heavy breaths, panting as the adrenaline crashes through me, lighting up my nerve endings until they feel like pinpricks. My heartbeat is thundering so loud it’s all I can hear. I brush a shaky hand across my face, swiping the now dusty hair from my face and slowly rise to my feet. With a few steps, I let my claws sharpen and from this side of the ribbon, place my middle finger on the bottom.
Caius comes into view first and Soren climbs up right after. While holding their gaze, I flick my finger up, effectively giving them the bird while at the same time making it clear they were two seconds away from winning.
This high up, there is no one here but a solitary official for an extra ruling if the cameras couldn’t pick it up in the case of a close call. Caius is seething, while Soren stomps over, towering over me and looking down at me with the same shocked expression as earlier.
He’s not nearly pissed enough for a man that I almost killed.
He puts his hands on my shoulders and looks down at me with confusion. “Are you hurt?” He swipes a hand over my cheek and it takes me a second to realize I’m covered in dried blood, dirt, and my clothes are singed in several places.
It catches me off guard more than anything becauseno onetouches me. At least, no one around here. Not only are they newbloods, they must be new enough to town that word of my family hasn’t reached them yet.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” I counter, gesturing to his various wounds. “You look like a pincushion.”
His slate grey eyes light up with humor, turning his imposing stature into nothing more than a giant, bloody teddy bear. “Not the first time I’ve been stabbed.”
“Won’t be the last time either,” I laugh, letting the warning hang in the air without explaining.
I start walking towards the stairs, slapping Jarred’s hand in congratulations as I pass the official, the two of us well acquainted from my numerous victories. Giving the strangers my back, I begin the long descent into the waiting crowd. I can hear them roaring from here as I stretch my arms over my head and roll out my shoulders. I’ll be sore as hell tomorrow, but the money softens the blow. I’ll use my hundred dollar bills to dry my tears if I must.
“Who the hell allowed a girl to enter the competition?” Caius growls.
“Aww, don’t be a sore loser. So you got your ass handed to you by a girl; at least you didn’t die...yet,” I jab.
He growls in frustration and it sends a thrill through me, promising more danger than the death race I just left. “You know what I mean, smartass.”
I turn around to grin at him, continuing down the steps backwards. Soren looks ready to snatch me off my feet before I trip and fall while Caius eyes me with caution. The fact that this half naked, savage man is eyeing me like I’m something dangerous he needs to be wary of while the other appears two seconds away from throwing me over his shoulder?
I’m pretty sure my lady balls just exploded from excitement.
“To answer your question, I did. I know, shocking, right? A woman actually allowed to think for herself and make her own decisions?” I flutter my hand to my chest in mock indignation. “Heaven forbid a lady have free will.”
We’re nearly at the bottom and I know as soon as I descend into the crowd I’ll lose them, so I walk just a little bit slower, enjoying the novelty of new comers. It’s been at least a year since we’ve had any.
Caius sighs, cracking his knuckles, but it’s Soren that answers. “Are women more common in this country? I thought the population situation was global?”
“Nope, you’re looking at the one and only in the tri-county area, gentlemen.” I bow with a flourish, never once missing a step.
Soren reaches out and grabs my wrist anyway, tugging me closer like he’s certain I’m about to break a leg. The roar of the crowd dies down as several mutterings and menacing rumbles start to sound out around us. Still, Soren doesn’t let go, and a sick part of me gets crazy turned on at his lack of fear, like any sane person would be in this situation.
“Ren,” Caius starts casually and Soren slowly releases me, one finger at a time.
“And you see this crowd,” I state loudly, jabbing my thumb over my shoulder. “They’re smart enough to know I’d kick any of their asses if they even tried to stop me from entering.”
I can practicallyfeelthe crowd parting behind me, and know what’s coming a second before it does. A heavy arm is thrown over my shoulders and I roll my eyes, but lean into the familiar touch.
“You spoutin’ lies again, Ezra?” my eldest brother asks, his tone and posture relaxed, casual. But I know him well enough to know that in less than a second that can change.
I snort. “You know as well as I do they’re terrified of me.”
Now it’s Kahl’s turn to snort derisively. “You’re right, I’m sure it has nothing to do with the three of us.”
I shrug. “Glad you’ve finally made your peace with the facts.”
He finally deigns to give the strangers the time of day. “You survived, congrats. Don’t feel bad about losing; Ezra here is undefeated three years running.”
