‘Yes, and I plan on poking at it all night.’I grin.
“In the ring,” he growls, his voice distorted a little, but I understand it perfectly.
He’s done playing the gracious host. Good, because I’m done playing the sweet human.
CHAPTER 50
Learning Vengeance
Rez
Iwatch as Captain Brooks’ chest heaves from his uncontrolled anger on the other side of the ring. I step inside and let my arms hang at my sides, but silently apply my defensive barrier around myself. Just because he can’t shift for the first five minutes doesn’t mean I can’t use my magic. The fact that he still thinks I’m human is his own fault. Though how anyone wouldstillbelieve that at this point is beyond me. This manic shifter fucked around and is about to find out how wrong he’s been.
‘I hope you’re with me, Zareen.’
‘Of course. He is just a toy to us.’She laughs, and I get a vague visual of a golden muzzle tilting back and yapping. What is she?‘In the first five minutes, you should learn how to carry out Vengeance on your toy. Once he shifts, the real fun starts.’
Before I can ask her what she means, a horn blows, starting the clock, and Captain Brooks comes out running, bare knuckles swinging at my head. I easily duck and move to the other side, frowning at him.
“Really?” I mock. “You do know I attended school here, right?” I point out.
‘As a shifter, he will have lots of stamina, especially considering his rank,’Zareen explains.
Good to know, I think, right as Brooks spins and kicks out, hitting me in the stomach. He follows up with a right hook that sends me flying. Thankfully, my shield holds, and I’m not in pain, but that’s not something he knows, as he walks over to me smugly while I continue to lie on the ground face down.
A flash of an image hits me, of someone lying in this ring, but it’s not me. Someone else, once in this position, looks up at a younger Brooks, reaches out a bloody hand, and begs,“Mercy.”
Knowledge that I wouldn’t normally have pours into me about the Blood Matches. Where is this coming from?
‘Do you really need to ask?’Zareen snarks.
It’s legal; it will just demote the shifter to the lowest rank, but it does spare their life. Brooks leans down so they can see his evil eyes and wicked lips.
“I don’t believe in mercy,” he says, before he reaches for their neck.Snap.
“Well, that didn’t last long,” Brooks says, as I find him in the same position as the vision. The crowd goes wild as he starts to bend down and reach for me. I know better than to let him touch me; he’s obviously more likely to snap my neck than pick me up, so as his hand comes within my line of sight, I spin on my back and kick as hard as I can.
“Fuck!”
He falls on his back, and I’m immediately on him with a dagger at his throat, but unfortunately, he’s expecting that and blocks my attempt. Knocking my dagger away, he throws me over his head, and he takes his time getting up and reassessing me.
“Well, at least they’ve taught you some fighting moves.” He almost sounds impressed. I stand up but don’t bother dusting off the dirt as I walk closer to him, allowing a cruel and unusual smile to grace my lips.
“Someone had to, since I know you don’t believe inmercy.’I give him a few seconds to watch his eyes go wide at my words, and when he blinks, I strike and throw Ryker’s dagger.
Shit.Damn shifter and his hearing. My aim isn’t perfect, but with Brooks turning at the last moment, I don’t hit my target. Instead of hitting him in the chest, I graze his left bicep.
“You almost had me believing you know stuff about me,” Brooks says, coming at me again. This time, I don’t move away; I circle him just like I did with Astaroth on the training mats in Hell.
“What makes you think I don’t?” I start. “Maybe I’m here to dish out Vengeance to you.”
“Vengeance? For what?” he huffs. “Or who? I haven’t done anything wrong, and if I have, you definitely wouldn’t be the one to pay it to me.” He snorts before coming at me with a sword he pulls from his own S.I.N. box.
I dodge, roll, and kick out, hitting his knee, knocking him off center, and quickly pull one of Ryker’s daggers, plunging it into his hamstring, and moving out of reach.
“Ahh!” Brooks screams and spins around, trying to get the dagger out.
Knox
