“I’m going to kill the human,” Venna bragged.
The ridge across Guldan’s forehead, just above his eyes, rose, giving him a surprised look. He shot a glance at Bokkan. “You’re allowing it?” he asked.
“Leda accepted, not me,” Bokkan growled out.
The commander looked at me, and I met his questioning gaze with a steady stare.
“Do you know what you’re getting into, female?” he asked.
“I have a pretty good idea,” I retorted.
“Venna, stop this madness,” Bokkan began. “Even if you win, I will leave the city rather than mate with you.”
The daemoness blanched at his words, her skin paling briefly. Then, her jaw firmed, and she glared at Bokkan. “Afraid I’ll kill your new toy right in front of you?”
Bokkan didn’t answer, but his body language said it all. He was afraid. I understood. I was scared as well. When I fought Talus, I knew the male was holding back. It wouldn’t be much fun to fuck me if I were bleeding and unconscious.
Venna actively wanted to harm me. She wasn’t going to take it easy on me. She planned to kill me if she could. I’d had martial arts training for years. I sparred with men twice my size. I grappled with men and women stronger and more skilled than I was.
But I’d never been in a life-or-death confrontation like the one I faced with Venna.
My vision tunneled, and my hearing grew staticky. I really didn’t want to do this, but I had one more question before I went through with it.
“What happens if I don’t accept her petition to claim you is granted?” I asked, looking up into Bokkan’s eyes.
He stared down at me without speaking. Guldan didn’t answer either.
But Venna… oh, she had plenty to say.
“I still get to kill you, weakling.”
That’s what I thought.
“How many witnesses do we need again?” I asked.
Her smirk grew into a wide smile, showing off her sharp white fangs. “Five.”
I glanced around. Guldan and Bokkan were standing closest to us, but Talus and several other soldiers were still standing in the ring, watching us.
“Are you willing to be witnesses?” I called out to the soldiers.
They all agreed. The group moved out of the ring and all leaned against the surrounding fencing.
I didn’t look at Bokkan, but at Guldan. “Outline the rules of a challenge for me,” I demanded.
Venna scoffed. “I told you, human, it’s a fight to submission or death?—”
“You did,” I interrupted her. “But I’m not sure I trust that you’ve told me everything.”
Her eyes took on a red hue as she glared at me. “You insult my honor by accusing me of lying?”
“If I repeat what you told me to Guldan, will he agree that those are all the rules?” I shot back.
Her mouth snapped shut, but her glower darkened.
“Guldan,” I prompted.
The commander kept his gaze on me, ignoring the huge, tense daemon general at my side.
