Blood Warrior

by H. D. Gordon

  She smiled that beautiful smile of hers, but it was sadness that stayed behind her eyes. “There’s evil inside of me, Lex. I’m part monster and we both know that. The only reason people have always liked me so much is because I have the same draw that every Lamia has.

  And sooner or later people are going to figure out why.”

  I had a feeling that whatever monster was inside of me could make her monster run for the hills, but I didn’t say that. “We’ll deal with that when it comes. You know I would never let anything happen to you.”

  She met my eyes. “I know.”

  When we reached the library, Nelly returned her book. I decided I might want some reading material since reading was one of my favorite pass times. As I was strolling up the section of mystery thrillers, a woman approached me. She was probably in her mid-fifties and had strawberry blond hair that was streaked with gray.

  “Can I help you find anything?” she asked with a warm smile.

  “Um, no thanks,” I said. When she started to walk away, I called out to her. “I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you?”

  She smiled a little at what must have been my stupid question. “I’m the new librarian,” she said.

  A horrible feeling came over me, and I had to swallow twice before I could ask my next question. “What happened to the old one?”

  Her face filled with sympathy. “Oh dear, I’m afraid she’s passed on. Has no one told you?”

  I shook my head in disbelief. How could she have “passed on”, I had just seen her the other day and she’d looked completely fine. A horrible thought occurred to me then, and I struggled to keep the horror off my face. “How?” I asked, more to myself than to the woman.

  She must have thought I was asking her, because she sighed heavily and answered, “She had a disease, one that affects the brain, and I guess that it just finally got the best of her. Did you know her well?”

  I wanted to scream at her that that was bullshit, but instead, I just shook my head and walked away. When I found Nelly, we headed out of the library together. She immediately knew something was wrong. “What happened?” she asked.

  “The librarian died,” I told her.

  Her face fell into a frown. “Oh, that’s terrible.”

  I nodded. “Hey, I’ll see you later, okay? I need to go do something.” Her brow furrowed at my abrupt change in subject, but I was going to talk to Kayden right now. I needed the answers to my questions, and I needed them now.

  Nelly’s eyes were bright with worry. “What are you going to do, Alexa?”

  “Nothing, don’t worry. I’ll be fine… I’m just going to see Kayden.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, okay. Good, I guess.”

  I kissed her cheek and sprinted off in the direction of Kayden’s cabin. But when I got there, he wasn’t home, so I sat down on the front porch and waited. I was disappointed and also a little relieved that he wasn’t here, but I had to do this. And if that meant that I needed to wait all night, then that’s what I’d do.

  I ended up waiting through most of the night, and Kayden never returned to his cabin. When the sun slowly started to peek over the horizon, I stood up and trudged back to my dorm room. I hadn’t accomplished anything other than exhausting myself, and even though I knew the feeling was misplaced, I was angry at Kayden. I knew I had no right to be, but that didn’t stop me from wondering where he’d spent the entire night. I pushed those thoughts aside as I entered my room and plopped down on my bed. I was not going to be jealous over a man who didn’t belong to me. At least, not while I was sleeping.

  Chapter 58

  I woke up later in the day when a knock sounded on my door. Pulling myself out of bed, I felt even more exhausted than before I’d gone to sleep, and this worried me. I made my way groggily to the door and threw it open. Nelly stood there, wearing a blue blouse and jeans, and looking just as pretty as ever.

  I rubbed my eyes and ushered her inside, then fell promptly back down on my bed. “What’s up, Nell?” I asked with a yawn.

  She gave me a disapproving look. “Apparently, not you. Why are you sleeping?

  It’s five in the afternoon.”

  I shrugged. “I was tired, and it’s Saturday, so who cares?” She gave a small sigh. “I knew you wouldn’t be ready. The fight is tonight, it starts in an hour and the others are going to meet us in the courtyard in thirty minutes. Did you still want to go?”

  I shot up from the bed and gave her kiss on the cheek. If it weren’t for her, I would have slept right through Mark’s fight tonight, and I’d promised him that I would be there.

  “Absolutely,” I said. “Give me twenty-nine minutes.”

  She rolled her eyes and laughed, and I headed into the bathroom to shower. I took some time with my appearance, and Nelly offered to blow-dry my hair when she saw I was struggling to get it straight. A glimpse in the mirror told me I still didn’t look my best, undoubtedly due to the lack of food, but I looked good enough. I threw on some jeans and a white V-neck t-shirt and we headed out the door.

  “Did you get to see Kayden last night?” Nelly asked, as we walked down to the courtyard.

  I shook my head. “He wasn’t there.”

  We shut up then because we saw the boys waiting for us. Daniel spotted us first and jogged over to give Nelly a shy kiss on the cheek. I smiled at them; they made a cute couple, both of them so sweet and innocent. Jackson and Tommy came over then, and after a few witty exchanges, the five of us made our way to the Council building, where the fight was being held.

  When we reached the building, we were directed around to what I assumed was a back entrance. About halfway around the side of the building, we came to a line of people that wrapped all the way around the corner and disappeared. My companions started to come to a stop, but Tommy just kept on walking right past the line.

  When he realized we weren’t following, he turned back to us. “Come on.” Nelly asked the obvious question. “Don’t we have to wait in line?” Tommy smiled that easy smile of his. “You can if you want. I’m certainly not going to.”

  We all exchanged looks and followed Tommy around the rear of the building. The line of people kept going until we reached a red door that was manned by two warriors. I didn’t know either of them, but they must have recognized Tommy because they stepped aside and greeted him. Tommy informed them that we were his guests, and the rest of us filed in the red door. Each of the warriors gave me a slight nod as I passed by, and I nodded in return.

  As soon as we were in the building, the roars of the crowd were almost deafening. Looking at the Arena from this point of view was drastically different from the view I’d had last time. High stone walls were on either side of us and a plexi-glass wall separated the spectators from the fighters. Tommy led us up a set of stone steps and I glanced around to see that almost every seat in the house was full. We continued climbing up and I still couldn’t spot an empty seat in the house. But when we reached a part that held a sectioned off area, similar to box seats at a baseball game, Tommy stopped and opened the door to the private room. A warrior was standing at the door and he nodded to Tommy as we entered.

  The room was set up with plush chairs that were right up against the railing and offered a perfect view of the Arena below. The three walls and roof of the room did little to block out the noise of the crowd, but it was still considerably better than sitting on the stone bleachers. Two large, flat-screen televisions hung on the side walls and they were showing a perfect picture of a man who I assumed must be the announcer. Much to my dismay, I noticed that the room also held a long table packed with trays full of delectable looking sandwiches and cookies.

  “This is nice,” Nelly said, taking a seat in one of the chairs.

  I nodded, ignoring the grumbling of my stomach. “Yeah, it is. How did you get these seats, Tommy?”

  “They belong to my father. Every council member gets one.” I swallowed hard at the mention of Tommy’s father. “Is he coming?” I asked, trying to sound l
ike I didn’t care either way.

  “Nah,” Tommy said. “He said he had some things to do tonight.” I breathed a silent sigh of relief and took a seat next to Nelly. The others took their seats and Jackson sat down in the one next to me before Tommy could get a chance. The announcer that was on the television screen stood on a podium overlooking the Arena. I looked down below and saw that he was only about thirty feet away from where we were sitting.

  He began his speech and the crowd fell silent. After a few ceremonial words, it was time to announce the fighters. Mark’s name was called first, and he stepped out of an opening in the wall that was directly below me and my companions. The crowd roared with praise, and I couldn’t help cheering along with them. I really liked Mark, and I didn’t want to see him get hurt.

  I leaned forward in my seat to study him. He was wearing black shorts and a black sleeveless t-shirt. From this distance he appeared much younger than usual, probably because this was the first time I’d seen him out of his long-sleeved warrior uniform. He seemed to be in good shape; built tall and wide and thick. But, I noticed that the skin of his bared arms was littered with previous battle scars. I wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not.

  He also held a silver sword in his hand, and the sight of it made me turn to Tommy in alarm.

  “What’s the sword for?” I asked. “The fighters don’t actually kill each other do they?” I hadn’t had a sword when I’d fought Daniel.

  “Either fighter can choose to surrender at any point,” said Tommy, placing a cigarette between his lips. I let out a relieved breath. “But,” he continued, “Many don’t. It’s considered dishonorable, and most choose death.”

  It took me more than a few seconds to process this. I let out one short, silent breath and my head fell forward a fraction on its own accord. My movement was so slight that I doubted anyone but Nelly noticed. I sat staring at my small, scarred hands for a few seconds.

  They were a safe spot for my eyes. In my head swam one thought: God, please let Mark win, and if not…surrender. Following that, one question: Would I surrender?

  When the announcer called the name of his opponent, my heart hit the stone floor beneath my feet. I shut my eyes for the tiniest portion of a second, then I looked up.

  Chapter 59

  Kayden emerged from the opposite end of the arena, sword gleaming in his right hand. The crowd’s response was deafening. From somewhere near my lungs, an anvil came smashing down and landed in my stomach. Next to me, Nelly’s hand found mine. She gave one tight squeeze. My hand remained unmoved.

  So did my eyes. Kayden. Why did it have to be Kayden? I couldn’t pull my eyes from him. I kept searching for some indication that it wasn’t really him standing down there. I couldn’t find any. And who was I kidding? There was no mistaking that man. Not for me.

  He looked every inch a Greek god. Tan skin smoothed over stone-carved muscles.

  He was shirtless, his hair pulled back into a tiny, sandy blond ponytail. There was nothing about him that didn’t seem dangerous and deadly. Staring down at the two men that night, I felt much younger than my seventeen years.

  Just before the announcer gave the word, Kayden’s eyes drifted up and met mine. I squeezed Nelly’s hand then, but remained otherwise still. It says something for her that she didn’t even flinch. Especially since I’m sure I had come close to crushing bones.

  The world showed no yield to my peculiar manner, however. Seconds later, the announcer’s voice echoed in my ears: BEGIN!

  The two started forward. I released Nelly’s hand for fear that she may need a cast later if I didn’t. I clutched my thighs instead, damp palms ironing the denim beneath them.

  Below me, Kayden’s sword sang its first note of a blocked strike. I squeezed my eyes shut, opened them.

  The rest of the fight I can only recall in bits and pieces. Perhaps that’s all my mind could facilitate. I remember the clangs of metal on metal, and the crowds reciprocated shouts following nanoseconds after. I can still see Kayden’s blade gliding through the air, with such grace it seemed divine. I remember thinking absently of Gavin, and feeling like an asshole for the cruel nickname I’d given him. I couldn’t help but think of myself, as well, of how one day my own body would be riddled with such scars. Mostly, though, I remember the blood.

  It flew in scarlet ribbons and sprays, painting everything within its reach. The shiny blades the men held were now dripping and streaming rivers of it. I noticed with equal parts relief and despair that Kayden’s sword was redder than Mark’s. If I’d been able to move, I would have been peering through my fingers as my hands shielded my face. I wanted this to be over. At the same time, no outcome appeared pleasing.

  My wish was granted. Kayden delivered one final blow that sent Mark crashing to the ground like the Twin Towers. Kayden’s blade rose high, high over Mark’s neck. It came halfway down with the speed and threat of an oncoming train. Then it stopped. I sat confused for just a moment before I realized that he was waiting for Mark to surrender. The way his chest heaved told me this was more than a struggle. He was fighting for his own self-control. I could almost sympathize from my helpless position.

  The tiny moment lasted for an eternity. Kayden’s sword rose once more. The crowd boomed in response. My gut clenched. I pressed my eyelids together. I could no longer watch.

  The crowd’s cheers and screams switched to boos and disapproving shouts. My eyes flew open just in time for me to see Mark’s pointer and middle finger raised in surrender.

  Kayden’s blade fell soundlessly to the dirt. It took a moment, but I could breathe again.

  The crowd’s disappointment rang through the Arena. Anger stewed wet and hot in my stomach. What was wrong with these people? How could they think that something so brutal was entertainment? How could they yell out in disapproval when a good man was down there lying bloodied and broken on the ground? If these vampires and wolves thought themselves better than the humans, then they had another thing coming. They were just as bad, maybe even worse.

  When two men went to carry Mark out of the Arena, alarm filled me. My anger flooded away and was replaced with a big dose of fear. Mark hadn’t gotten back up. He might never get back up again.

  I shot to my feet, making my companions jump in surprise. I think I heard Nelly call out to me as I pushed past the warrior standing at the door of our room and raced down the steps of the Arena. I couldn’t be sure though, because all I could think about was making sure that Mark was okay.

  When I made out of the building, the line of people that had been there before was gone. The two warriors that had greeted me upon entering stood there, and I raced up to them.

  “Where are they taking him?” I asked them, between hitching breaths.

  The two warriors exchanged glances. “Who?” they asked, almost simultaneously.

  I pushed my hair out of my face and released a frustrated breath. “The warrior who just lost in the Arena.”

  The two men exchanged another look, and I had to resist the urge to slam them both against the wall and shake the information out of them. After a moment, one of them said,

  “Probably the infirmary, if he wasn’t hurt too bad.”

  I clenched my fists tight so that I wouldn’t do something stupid. “Where would they take him if he was hurt bad?” I asked, between clenched teeth.

  The same warrior answered. “The hospital,” he paused before adding, “If he’s not there, then he didn’t survive.”

  I was about to ask where the hospital was when I heard the wail of an ambulance. I sprinted toward the sound just in time to see it turn around a corner. Using every bit of energy and speed I had in me, I barreled after it. I moved faster than I had ever moved before, and used my ears to keep track of the ambulance. After about twenty blocks, I reached the front of what I assumed was the hospital building. Ignoring the fact that I was seriously dizzy after my run, I climbed the steps entered the lobby. I had lost sight of the ambulance after a few blocks an
d I only hoped that Mark was already here and being cared for.

  The nurse at the front desk looked alarmed when I approached her, but she gave me the information I needed. After a few clicks on her computer she confirmed that Mark was here, but that I couldn’t see him just yet because he was in surgery. She asked me to have a seat, and told me she would tell me when I could go in.

  I didn’t sit down. I paced back and forth in the lobby for the longest thirty minutes of my life, with spots dancing before my eyes the entire time. Finally, she gave me a room number, and I took off in the direction she pointed.

  When I entered Mark’s room, I saw that he was lying on the bed, still unconscious and wrapped in an insane amount of bandages. I approached the bed slowly and felt tears trickle down my face. He looked so horrible, and I couldn’t see how anyone would recover from these injuries.

  “Alexa?” said a deep, rich voice behind me.

  I jumped and turned to see Kayden standing in the doorway. For the first time since we met, I couldn’t stand the sight of him. All of my earlier thoughts of the conversation we needed to have completely forgotten. Swiping the tears from my face, I went to stand in front of him, ignoring the fluttery feeling in my chest as a result of his proximity.

  “What have you done?” I whispered. Then, I pushed past him and left.

  When I reached the outside of the building, I sat down on the steps and buried my face in my hands. Tears flowed freely now, and I could barely see straight between them and my dizziness. Some part of me knew I’d been wrong to say that to Kayden; he’d only done what he had to. And really, would I have rather it been him lying on that hospital bed? I had no answer for that; all I knew was that I felt sick over seeing Mark that way. And I was mad at Kayden for having put him there.

  When I felt an unmistakable presence behind me, I stood up abruptly, causing me to wobble a little and feel extremely light-headed. “I don’t want to talk to you right now. Leave me alone,” I said, without turning around.