Allie watched nervously as he stepped confidently into the pit, shrugging out of his shirt and stretching like he did this every day.
It’s called training, Lex. We all do this every day.
Oh, right.
He’ll be fine. Look.
Allie watched as Dean’s opponent met him at the line drawn in the dirt. She was strong and powerful. A good match for Dean, but Allie was certain he would do well.
“At the sound of the bell, fight’s on, kids,” Bob shouted. “Get us off to a good start!”
~~~
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Allie watched nervously as Dean took his place in the dirt arena. His opponent was a tall, slim girl with henna tattoos along both arms. She looked like he could break her in half, but Allie could sense her power. The girl would give him a fair fight, and from the look on her face, she meant to win it.
“Don’t look so nervous, princess. It’s all in good fun.”
Allie turned at the unfamiliar voice to find a handsome, stocky young guy at her elbow.
“Can I help you?” He was at eye level, something she didn’t experience often, especially with boys. She could see it instantly in his smile. He made up for his short stature with a cocky attitude. And he was fairly powerful too.
“Come on, princess, relax.”
“Lost cause,” Aidan said in a friendly tone.
“Why’s everyone calling me princess?” Allie gave New Guy her best glare, but there was something about him she liked. His cocky act was a lot like Aidan’s, but her judgy gift told her he was a decent guy—with a little more than his fair share of arrogance.
“It’s the hair,” he said. “You can call me … Jim.” He gave her a wink that said, “That’s so not my real name.”
“All right, Jim, you can call me Red.”
“Sure thing, princess.”
“I have more nick names than a thesaurus,” she muttered under her breath.
“Defense!” Aidan clapped and cheered Dean on. “Watch your back!”
Allie watched as Dean and his opponent circled each other, each making a lunge here and there. They were moving so fast, they were almost a blur.
“I can’t keep up.” Chloe sighed beside her. “They’re too fast.”
“Pay attention to the individual movements as a whole,” Allie said. “Don’t watch the way you always have before. Use the power of your new sight to slow it down and look at the big picture. You’ll start to see it all more clearly when you concentrate. Eventually, it’ll click and it will get easier. It’s just a new way of using your eyes and the information they give you. It takes a while.”
“Look at you, being all teachy,” Chloe said in a teasing tone.
“Who knew, right?” Allie elbowed her friend as they turned back to the fight.
Dean grappled with the girl, who gave just as good as she got. In a flash, she had him flat on his back in the dirt with her knee to his throat. But with a grin that was so reminiscent of Quinn’s, Dean was back on his feet with his chest to her back and her head in a chokehold.
Quinn. That’s why we’re here. She glanced at Aidan.
Right. Let’s just ease in and talk to some people and see what we see. But don’t forget to watch the fights. That’s why everyone is here, so it will be suspicious if you don’t pay attention. Aidan drifted away from her just far enough to chat with some other spectators, leaving her alone with Jim. The rest of her friends were within sight, but everyone was busy doing what they came here to do.
“You might not want to drift too far away from your friends tonight, princess,” Jim said. “This place can be misleading.”
“Uh … thanks.” She resigned herself to the new nickname for the evening, hoping no one would actually make the connection to her true identity.
“Big stretch over there your boyfriend?” He gestured at Aidan.
“Nope.” She turned toward Jim with a smile. It was time to do some digging, and it wouldn’t hurt to start with the one who approached her first.
“Nice to meet you.” Allie smiled, reaching to shake his hand. Touch would give her a better sense of his character, but she had to be careful not to make it too obvious.
As he took her hand she noticed a mark on his neck, half obscured by the collar of his shirt. It wasn’t a tattoo. It looked more like a brand—but what kind of brand didn’t heal on an Immortal?
Probably the same way Erin’s tattoos don’t heal and fade because it’s part of her gift. But a brand would be strange. Get a closer look.
Working on it.
“Your friend seems to be flirting rather than fighting.” Jim gestured at Dean in the ring with the beautiful but ferocious young woman. They were clearly having a good time.
“D doesn’t get to hang with many Immortal girls who aren’t his sisters.”
“Story of every straight guy’s life around here.”
Allie took a step closer, trying to get a peek at the mark on his neck. She was certain she’d seen something like it before.
The crowd roared as the fight in the ring escalated and Allie finally had a chance to see the brand clearly. It was a snake in the shape of a circle. The snake held its tail in its mouth—the ouroboros from her dream.
She caught herself before she said anything. She was dying to ask him what it meant, but this was not the right time and definitely not the right place.
Allie forced her attention back on the match and cheered for Dean. What started as a flirtatious sparring match had turned into an all-out battle. She almost missed the winning strike. The girl took a running leap for Dean; her intent was a fly kick to his face, but he intercepted. With a whirling roundhouse kick of his own, he knocked her to the ground where she landed with a loud thud.
The sound of a whistle ended the fight and Dean was declared the winner. He graciously helped his opponent up and the two left the ring together, smiling and laughing like they were having the time of their lives. Allie wondered what it would be like to attend Amrita just for fun, without the worry of getting caught somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be, or worrying about how powerful she was compared to everyone else.
“Let’s hit the buffet, killer.” Darius slipped up behind her, nodding to Jim.
“Ohh, there’s food? Yes, let’s. You coming, Jim?” Allie invited him. She wanted Darius to see the brand.
The three made their way around the arena and through the crowd, nodding at Sasha to follow them. Allie wasn’t going anywhere without several friendly faces nearby.
As they passed through a huge set of arches into another section of the subway tunnel, the atmosphere changed. People milled about with drinks in hand and plates of appetizers like it was some kind of garden party. But Allie was on edge. She was missing something. The familiar green aura danced in her peripheral vision—her gift’s way of telling her to pay attention; that she was on the right track. There was much more going on here than any of them realized. She just couldn’t put her finger on it yet. The fights, all the young Immortals … none of that was the point of Amrita. It was the draw, but it was also a smokescreen for what was really going on. She just had to find out what that was.
“You ever come to Amrita before?” Allie asked Jim as they waited in line for the buffet. The sounds of the fights echoed behind them in a bizarre mixture of the barbaric and civilized activities. She wondered if this was what it was like back in the gladiatorial age—at least for the wealthy Roman spectators. Watch some fights, drink some wine, eat some food. She’d have to ask Gregg about it since he had a first-hand account of the Roman arenas—from the crappier side of that situation.
“Yeah, a few times. It’s a fun distraction.”
She didn’t quite buy his story. She got the sense that he had a lot of experience with Amrita.
Sasha trailed behind them, piling her plate high with appetizers, listening and watching everyone around her.
As Jim leaned over the buffet to reach for a slice of roast from t
he carving station, Allie gestured for Sasha and Darius to look at the brand. When Sasha saw it her eyes widened.
“Hey, we’re going to go get a drink. See you in a bit,” she called over her shoulder gesturing for Allie to follow.
As Allie stepped away to join her friends at the bar, a hand wrapped around her wrist like a band of iron.
“Hey.” She glared back at Jim.
“Sorry. I have a message for you.” He chanced a look around, and Allie realized he was afraid.
She narrowed her eyes at him, her heart beating wildly in her chest. She didn’t like this.
“He doesn’t blame you.”
“Who?” Her voice came out in a whisper. But she knew he meant Quinn.
“He wants you all to forget about him and stop trying to find him. But I’m adding my own message. He doesn’t belong where he is. It’s not too late for him, but he won’t leave without trying to save everyone.”
“Who? Who’s everyone?”
“Not important right now.”
“How can we help?” Allie asked.
“You see that room up there?” He nodded toward a section back in the recesses of the tunnel. Beyond the arches where the fights were taking place, there was a raised section for spectators. It had a VIP feel to it. Tucked safely beyond the tracks and behind the aged, golden Art Deco railing, a small crowd of well-dressed men and women stood watching the fights. She saw money changing hands and the whole scene started to come into perspective. Illegal gambling.
“You need to get back there and see what you see. Don’t let anyone suspect you’re anything more than a clueless kid out for a good time. Watch, and then tell his parents. He doesn’t have much time left.”
“Why are you helping him?”
“Because I’m not an asshole. And he’s a friend.” Jim turned to walk away. “Oh, and he’s going to need all of you to be there when it happens.”
“What?”
“I have no idea. It’s just a feeling I get every now and then.” He shrugged. “That feeling and the scent of apples. It’s driving me crazy.”
Before Allie could respond, Jim had slipped into the crowd and disappeared.
Did you hear that? Allie asked.
“Every word,” Aidan said and she turned to find him right behind her. Don’t tell Sasha. She’ll lose it.
What should we do?
I don’t know yet. You think we can trust him?
Yes. My judgy gift likes him.
That’s good enough for me. Go find the others and stick together. I’ll grab Naomi and Erin and we’ll make our way around to the VIP section and meet you there.
Allie nodded and left to find Sasha and Darius.
“What do you make of the brand?” Allie asked as they filled their glasses at the champagne fountain.
“I’ve seen that mark,” Sasha said.
“Me too.” Allie gave her a wary look, wondering what her friend knew about the symbol.
“I’ve seen it before. Just like that guy. A brand.”
“Where did you see it, Sash?” Darius asked.
“While I was working for the Senate this summer.”
It was the first time she’d ever mentioned her brief job with the Senate.
“Do you know what it means?”
“No, but if we can figure that out, it might explain a lot,” she murmured, her thoughts a million miles away. “I’m going to go put some feelers out. See if anyone else has that mark.” Sasha left to wander through the crowd.
“You think we could talk our way back there?” Allie nodded toward the lounge.
“Maybe, but it looks like you’re up next.”
Allie glanced down at her shoulder to see a glowing handprint signaling it was her turn to fight. Nerves threatened to overwhelm her. Allie really didn’t like anything that put her at the center of attention. All those years alone had left her feeling self-conscious in an unfamiliar crowd, but when she saw her opponent step forward, her nerves vanished.
Naomi.
Oh shit. Aidan groaned. This is going to be bad. Please don’t kill her.
Of course not, babe. I’ll hand her back in one piece.
“This ought to be interesting,” Naomi said as she took her place in the ring.
“Entertaining for sure,” Darius added.
“Bring it,” Allie said.
“Don’t you worry, little one. I’ll bring it.”
I don’t think I can watch this. Aidan tried looking away, but he couldn’t seem to manage it. There is no good outcome here.
It’ll be fine. We’re a good match and it’s better like this than in the classroom when she’s being an overbearing witch.
You know, you two might be friends if you’d stop with all the bitter jealousy.
I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Not as long as she’s trying to worm her way into my brother’s life when she’s clearly still sleeping with you.
We broke up—
Not now. I’m a little busy.
“All right girls, I sense a good catfight brewing,” Bob said as he went over the rules with them again. “Let’s see a good show, ladies.”
At the sound of the bell, Allie reached for her sai blades. She wouldn’t actually hurt Naomi, but she wasn’t about to take a beating either.
Naomi fought with a pair of long serrated blades. They reminded Allie of Aidan’s weapon of choice and she was confident stepping up to this challenge. She’d faced Aidan’s blades often enough in training. She knew how to win this fight. This would be the only one she’d win, though. She didn’t need everyone here to see what she could do. Especially those watching and placing bets.
Allie and Naomi circled each other, but Naomi was the first to strike. Allie never fought on the offensive. She’d always fought defensively, except when sparring with Aidan. But tonight that was going change. With her left blade tucked against her forearm, she took Naomi’s first blow with the blunt end. Before Naomi could strike again, Allie sent a zap of her solar energy into her weapon and gave her a nice little shock to keep her on her toes.
“That was childish,” Naomi said in her most patronizing tone.
“What can I say, I am a child. But at least I own it.” She circled her opponent.
Naomi was relentless, but Allie refused to give her an opening.
Some might think the animosity between the girls was about Aidan or Darius … or Liam … and to some extent, Allie had to admit that was part of it. But for her it wasn’t completely about jealousy over Naomi’s obvious connection with Aidan or her past relationship with Darius or her current relationship with Liam. It was about the way she made her way through the McBrien boys according to whatever whim struck her. One moment she seemed to have her sights set on Aidan and the next she was playing house with Liam and his daughter or flirting with Scott or Darius. Deep down, Allie knew that hurt Aidan more than he would ever admit and that was the real source of the friction between the girls.
Aidan had enough heartache in his life without Naomi stirring up more. If she truly wanted to be with him, Allie wouldn’t stand in the way of their happiness, but to watch her toy with him, that she would not tolerate.
But isn’t that what you’re doing to him, Allie? she asked herself. A huge part of her wanted to just be with him and damn the consequences. But her same old fears kept her from letting that happen. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—risk losing him. But when she wavered, when her resolve slipped, she knew she was no better than Naomi.
Could you please keep your mind on the fight? I can’t handle much more of this, Lex.
What? Ew. Aidan, really?
I’m sorry, it’s hot, so make it stop, please?
You can’t be serious? You’re actually enjoying this?
Immensely, but my brain is going to explode. You know how I feel about you. And I do have a soft spot for Naomi, but I’m not in love with her and she knows it. I’m a big boy and I can see the difference between the way she feels about me and the way you f
eel about me. It’s not even close. I know you’re just afraid of losing me. But Naomi’s always wanted to be part of the McBrien family and one day she might settle on one of us, but she isn’t malicious about it. She doesn’t mean to hurt anyone. Now please finish kicking her ass so I can breathe again.
I’m working on it. Allie advanced on Naomi. Tucking her right blade in her belt, she rushed forward, gripping Naomi’s left arm to force her to drop her weapon.
In one quick motion, Naomi caught her with an elbow strike to her face and Allie went down, her blade clattering across the dirt floor.
Naomi reeled back, and the victorious sneer on her face was too much for Allie. She grasped the blue pendant around her neck, unsheathing the hidden dagger. She thrust her weapon up, just as she stood, catching Naomi’s lead strike.
Allie took advantage of her opponent’s shock, grabbing her remaining sai blade tucked in her belt. She managed to disarm Naomi of her left blade, leaving her with just one weapon. Allie retreated, only to come at her again with a running leap. She landed a flying knee strike to Naomi’s chin, taking her down long enough to relieve her other weapon, bringing an end to the fight.
“Looks like the little princess is our winner!” Bob announced, raising Allie’s arm up in triumph.
Allie took a step toward Naomi, offering her a hand up, but Naomi refused.
Hey, I tried.
Give her a break. She’s not used to losing.
Allie watched as Naomi went to Aidan’s side.
“Is my face broken?” Allie turned to Darius.
“No, killer, just a black eye and a fat lip. But you’ve got a few nasty cuts. Come here, I’ll play healer.” He checked her injuries, using butterfly bandages to stop the bleeding long enough for them to begin healing on their own.
“Allie, you broke a few fingers.” Darius taped three fingers of her right hand together to stabilize them while they healed. They would be fine in a day or two.
“Is that why it feels like an iron-hot poker is ripping through my arm?”
“That’d be it.”
“Great.”
I’ll fix it later
No, we shouldn't risk it.
Emerge: The Judgment: (Book 2) Page 15
