“Will I?” I pressed.
Bokkan shrugged and shook his head. “No, you would be viewed as my potential mate.”
“Would my status with your society be any different then?”
“Yes,” he answered after a brief pause.
His expression was unreadable as he stared down at me. I wasn’t sure whether he wanted me to accept the challenge, but I had already made my decision.
“Understood,” I replied.
Chapter
Twelve
Leda
I turned on my heel.
Marching back toward Venna, the daemon female was no longer mounted on her horse. She stood next to it with both hands on her hips, glaring at Bokkan and me.
As I drew closer, she sneered at me. “Too afraid, human?”
“No. What are the rules to this challenge?”
“No weapons except claws and teeth.”
“Any strikes or areas I’m supposed to avoid? I’m guessing that biting is allowed.”
Her sneer deepened. The first time I saw her, I thought she was beautiful. Now, she looked as ugly and frightening as the demons portrayed in religious illustrations.
“If I don’t kill you with the first strike, you are allowed to fight however you like. But only with your empty hands and feet.”
“In that case, I accept your challenge,” I shot back.
A triumphant light gleamed in her eyes, and her hand shot out, catching me across the cheekbone in a fucking bitch slap. It was obviously meant to be an insult because she didn’t follow up with another strike or come any closer. I stared at her and rolledmy jaw. She was fast enough, but I hadn’t expected that first strike, so I wasn’t able to evade. I decided then and there that it would be my only mistake when facing her.
“Venna Bloodstone, you will violate the challenge if you do not wait for witnesses!”
I didn’t turn to look at Bokkan as he roared the words. His footsteps were heavy and fast as he approached on the run.
“All challenges must take place in a ring and with at least five witnesses,” he snarled, coming to a stop next to me. “You know this.”
The daemoness shrugged and smirked at me. “That’s fine. More eyes to witness her humiliation and death.”
I scowled at her. If I had to, I would kill her, but I liked the idea of kicking her ass and her having to walk away having lost to a “mere” human.
Bokkan’s hand landed on my arm, but I shook it off. “I’m doing this, Bokkan,” I stated. “No more arguing or discussing.”
Venna had already started walking toward the training ring where several of Bokkan’s soldiers were hanging around, working on their sword techniques with wooden swords.
“I am in need of witnesses for a challenge!” Venna cried as she approached the ring.
They all stopped and turned toward us. I frowned because Talus was one of them. I hated him. Not only because he wanted to be “first” after I was purchased, but because I didn’t like the way he looked at me or the way he pushed Bokkan to let him “have me.”
I felt a small measure of relief when Guldan appeared on the other side of the ring.
“Who are the challengers?” Bokkan’s second-in-command asked.
