“I think you’d be surprised at what I can do.”
The old lady raised a single eyebrow in question and then looked to my side. “What do you think, Cassidy?”
“I think he is the redeemer.”
“Not bloody likely,” Erik grunted from the side of the room.
It took some effort just to ignore him. What I really wanted to do was toss him across the room. Instead, I let him have his little moment of power. My training and at least a few of my values still seemed to be attached to my soul. He smiled at me as if he had won some kind of battle. I almost laughed, but I was taking the high road. Damn, I hated the high road. It was so much easier to get down and dirty. It wasn’t my job to prove myself to these people. Regardless of what they thought, I’d be heading to wherever Phenex was. I needed to get home, and a prince was the only one who could make that happen.
The old woman clapped her hands. “Children, it’s time for you to go.”
An audible sigh went up from the kids, but they didn’t argue. They just filtered out of the room, some slower than others. The ones lingering behind cast glances over their shoulders, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever was coming next. The old woman waited for them to leave before turning back toward me.
“I think a demonstration of your power is in order. Erik, do you accept the challenge?”
“In your honor, Elder Chen.” He bowed and moved to the center of the room.
“And you, Redeemer, will you accept this challenge?”
“You want me to fight him?” She nodded her head. It wouldn’t be a fair fight, not if I used my powers. I also didn’t want to completely humiliate him in front of his people. Thankfully the room seemed empty except for us. “I’d rather not.”
The elder fixed me with that penetrating look of hers, and again, one eyebrow tilted upward in question. “Are you scared?”
“Of Erik?” I let out a little chuckle. “Not at all.” He snorted, obviously not believing it. “No offense to you and yours, Elder Chen, but fighting against humans isn’t exactly what I do. Frankly, it’s beneath me.” Erik gave another grunt of disbelief. And Chen looked pissed off. It would be easy enough for me to accept this challenge and to fight Erik, but I almost didn’t trust myself not to kill him. We were in hell, after all. It was better not to take chances. Granted, I wouldn’t mind wiping the smug ass grin off of his face.
All I wanted to do now was grab a bite to eat, drink some water, and be on my way. Once I was away from these humans, I could find a place to sleep, and then I’d be able to track down Phenex on my own. Getting out of hell was my primary concern, and helping these people was sliding lower and lower on my list of priorities.
“It is our custom for a new member to prove their worth.”
“I’m not sure what you think is happening here, but I’m not here to join you.” I turned to look at Cassidy. “I already told you that I don’t plan on sticking around.”
The elder shot a look at Cass. “You said that you believe he is the redeemer?”
“I do,” Cass said. I could hear the hope in her voice.
The elder spread her arms open in front of her, as if that statement explained it all. “Then will you not honor us, Redeemer, with a simple fight?”
“I came for the promise of food and water. If you have neither to offer, then I will be on my way.”
The elder clapped her hands, and a stream of people filtered into the room. All of them bore trays of food and jugs of water and other liquids. They set the spoils down around the far side of the room and then left. “Traditionally we eat after you have proved yourself worthy.”
“Enough of this!” Erik bellowed, and charged forward.
To my surprise, Cass stepped between us, and Erik broke off the swing he had been aiming at me. He gave her a hurt look. It dawned on me then that they might have been a couple, and he was jealous. Jealousy did crazy things to people, and in hell, I had a feeling that emotion was even stronger. If he only knew that I had a woman of my own I would do anything for. She was waiting for me, and I needed to get back to her. He might have understood it and been willing to help me. Instead, he thought I was edging in on his territory and wanted to quash that as quickly as possible.
Getting back to April was what mattered, and I wouldn’t be able to do that without food. If getting to hold her in my arms again meant I had to defeat a human in a battle, then so be it.
Cass pushed him back and then turned to me. “Please, Redeemer. This is our way. Will you not honor this simple request?”
It was the hope in her voice that really broke me. Hope and expectations were dangerous things. “I will, but I can’t guarantee his safety if we use anything more than fists.”
“We can’t afford to kill each other. All tests of strength are done without weapons.”
Erik stood to the side of the room and cracked his knuckles. He had already removed his sword and set it on the ground.
The elder reached out her hand. “Swords?”
“I will not relinquish them, but you have my word that I will not use them.”
She spared a glance at Erik, who must have nodded in acceptance. Cass moved away from my side and went to stand with the elder. Erik bounced around lightly on his feet and moved through a series of punches and kicks. He wasn’t anyone I should underestimate.
I could rip him in half for you. I was still getting used to the fact that my wolf could speak to me. Something had happened after my first transformation that had set him free. It was an interesting change having a constant presence in my head.
That won’t be necessary, I thought back.
Fine, but make this quick. I’m starving.
Me too.
Erik hit me with a look of smug self-confidence that could only be born from beating lesser opponents into the dirt. I wondered how long it had been since he had lost a fight. He might have never lost one, by the look of him. I also doubted he helped to train anyone else. Bullies liked to stay on top. I wondered just how many lives had been lost because he didn’t want to be challenged for the top spot.
The elder clapped her hands again, and Erik charged. Ducking under his first wild swing, I pivoted around him and shoved him. He stumbled forward a few steps and then turned back toward me. The cocky smile had been replaced with a look of rage. This was no longer a test of skill. If I let him, this man would beat me until I couldn’t stand.
This time, he came forward slowly, as he tried to size me up. After we circled each other once, he lashed out with a series of punches. I blocked each of them in turn but never tried to strike him. I could see the frustration growing in his eyes. He tried a kick next. It was a big, ungainly move that probably had won him some fights with weaker opponents. He jumped and aimed the kick straight at the center of my chest. Moving to the side, I grabbed his ankle and behind his knee, spinning him to the side. When he slammed into the ground, I stepped over his leg and twisted it hard.
Erik let out a scream of pain and anger. I twisted the leg again before tossing it to the side and stepping away. I looked back toward the elder. “Have you seen enough?” She shook her head. Erik climbed to his feet behind me. I watched as he tested out his leg, making sure it still worked well enough to fight, before he charged in again. His punches came faster this time, with more power behind them. I blocked each one before landing a hit to his stomach that I followed up with a punch to the center of his forehead.
When the blow connected, his head snapped back, and he hit the floor hard.
I couldn’t help myself. My wolf laughed.
Jesus, you could have killed him, I thought. The wolf only laughed as Erik rolled around on the ground. I called on my gift to heal my knuckles and turned back toward the elder. “I’m done. If you haven’t seen enough yet to honor your promise, then I will be on my way.”
She looked at Cass and then turned back toward me and clapped her hands. “You have proven yourself worthy. You are a guest in our home. As such, any and all of the
protections we can afford are now extended to you.”
“Thank you.”
Cass’s eyes flicked behind me, and I heard the sound of a blade slipping free from a sheath. I turned to see Erik lunging at me, knife extended. He would have stabbed me in the back. I didn’t think about what I was going to do so much as I reacted to the blade. Focusing on him, I flicked my finger. He flew across the room and slammed into the wall with enough force, the entire building shook.
The elder looked up at the roof as if willing it to hold before she turned to look at me. Cass rushed forward to Eric’s crumpled form. Tears had already formed in her eyes. She cared for this man despite his flaws. I could see that it crushed her that I had hurt him. Cass believed I was here to save them all, and I had just sent her man flying across the room. Elder Chen’s eyes were still wide with shock at the display of power. I could tell she couldn’t believe her eyes.
I turned away from her and walked slowly toward Erik’s still form. Cass covered him with her body.
“Can’t you see he’s had enough?” she screamed up at me.
I placed a hand under her arm and lifted her away from him. She fought it for a moment and then let me guide her back over to the elder. “I’m sorry,” I whispered before turning back toward Erik.
“He dishonored us. He dishonored you, Redeemer. There is nothing to be sorry for.” Cass shot the elder daggers as she spoke. “You were under the protection of our house, and he acted rashly.”
“And so did I.” Kneeling next to Erik, I laid my hands on him. Cass let out a little gasp from behind me. Who knew what she thought I was doing to him? I searched his body, sending in healing energy. Slowly I fixed the worst of his wounds. He stirred underneath me, and I had used almost all of the energy I had gained while I had been unconscious. I motioned for Cass to come forward, and she did. As I stood up, Erik’s hand shot out and latched onto my arm with strength I almost couldn’t believe from a man in his condition.
“Thank you, Redeemer. You have shown me the error of my ways.” His hand fell away from my arm, and he pulled himself to his feet.
A bundle of energy and tears slammed into me next. “Thank you for bringing him back to me.” She gave me a fierce hug and then disentangled herself and launched herself into Erik’s waiting arms.
She had already forgotten that I was the one who had put him in that position in the first place. I could have just blocked his strike and put him on his ass, but I had reached the end of my patience and overreacted. And what was his little I have seen the error of my ways crap? What errors? What could you have possibly seen while you were unconscious for all of a minute?
The elder motioned for me to join her by the food. “Eat, and rest. You have my word that no one will disturb you.” She got up from where she was standing and moved toward the door, ushering out the others in front of her.
Cass looked over her shoulder and smiled. Erik nodded to me as if we were now brothers and followed her out. The elder pulled the tin door closed, and I was left alone with my thoughts and a mountain of food. This was a weird place and seemingly getting weirder by the second, but all I could think about was the food in front of me. I ate until my belly was bursting, and then I curled up on the floor and fell asleep.
Chapter Six
April
The door to my cell swung open after issuing a groan of protest. Seemed like the demons didn’t have time for routine maintenance. I mean, who really cared if the people you were fighting to the death had their ears start bleeding every time you opened the door? It was too soon after my last fight to think it was time to fight again. Maybe one of those guards had a spirited evening and wanted to try their luck getting frisky with me. I had to be ready for anything.
One of the huge men stepped into the doorway. He didn’t come into the cell. Maybe he sensed my unease, but I had a feeling without backup, he was just worried about getting the shit kicked out of him. He tossed a bag into the room. It landed at my feet, sending the smell of french fried goodness curling up to my nose.
“Thank you,” I blurted out before I remembered to be pissed. I didn’t want to be here. In fact, if that demon came any closer, I’d be just as happy to bash his brains in before digging into whatever was in the bag.
The demon almost looked confused. He probably had never been thanked by a prisoner before. “It’s Five Guys. Hope you like bacon.”
“Who doesn’t?” The guard turned to leave. “Why are you doing this? I doubt all of your other prisoners get such generous meals.”
He turned back for a moment. “I make more money if you win.” The door slammed shut. “Now eat and get some rest. You’ll be in the ring later today.”
I heard his footsteps retreating down the hallway. They could have drugged the food. I wouldn’t put it past a demon to roofie a starving girl and then come back after I couldn’t move. My belly made a sound like a kraken would have before it saw its first ship in a month. Screw it. I ripped open the bag and stuffed a handful of fries into my mouth. It wasn’t very lady-like, but who cared? I didn’t have to impress anyone here.
After taking the edge off my hunger with that first fistful, I peered into the bag. There were fries, and a lot of them. Not to mention two silver wrappers holding what I could only describe as large slices of heaven. I pulled one of the burgers free and ripped open the foil. Oh man, cheese and bacon, with the standard lettuce, tomato, onion toppings. It was if the bulky monster had read my mind. The first bite almost made me squeal with delight. If I had been at home instead of being forced to fight to the death, I probably would have let that little squeal out, and maybe thrown in a happy dance.
Jackson would have laughed, but inside he would have been just as excited about a good burger. I mean, this was America. You had to love burgers. I think it was an actual law. Thank God our magic gave us a boost in the metabolism department, or I’d be fat as a house. I finished the first burger and started working on number two. This time, I put a handful of fries on top before smashing the bun back down and taking a huge bite. The only thing that would have made this better was a chocolate shake; well, that and not fucking being here.
With all of the food gone, I cracked open one of the bottles of water in my cell. I drank half of it just trying to wash some of the salt from the meal out of my mouth. Damn, that food was good, but I’d never be able to sleep after I drank all this water. Maybe that was a slight exaggeration. Apparently carbs beat out the need to pee when it came to sleeping. I felt myself drifting off.
I heard them coming before the door creaked open. The sound could have peeled paint from the walls. That was if these walls had any paint on them. Wait a second. Maybe that was what happened. I almost let out a laugh. I was being silly, and I knew it, but what else could I do? The only one around to lighten the mood was me.
The asshole guard stepped into the room and tossed me my blades. “I hope you’re ready, sweetmeats. You’re in for a challenge today.”
The guard in the hallway laughed, but it almost sounded as if his heart wasn’t in it. I started to strap on my blades. As soon as they were in place, I was ready to go. I really didn’t care what they put in front of me. I’d find a way to win. I couldn’t stop fighting now. I knew that Jackson would never stop trying to get back to me, and I planned on being alive when he did.
The guard moved back out into the hallway, and I followed him. He stayed in front of me, which was a nice bonus. The thought of him walking behind me and checking out my ass for the entire walk was too disturbing to think about. The other guard slipped behind me to make sure I didn’t run away. I wasn’t sure if they noticed, but the only place I could run was back into my cell. I had a feeling doing that or refusing to come out wouldn’t have won me any favors with my captors.
We stopped in front of an iron door, the same way we had last time I fought. The guards moved to either side of me. I started to stretch a little bit. I was ready for this. I had to be.
The guard who had brought me
the food looked down at me. “Make sure to win. I didn’t get you something to eat for nothing.”
“Well, if she doesn’t win, I’m going to give her something to eat,” the other demon said, laughing.
Fucking demon pigs. I’d like to give you something to eat, maybe my sword as I shoved it down your fat throat. “In your dreams, big boy. Any part of you that comes near my mouth will get bitten off.”
The other guard started laughing, and the asshole guard reached back to strike me. His hand stopped as the door opened.
“Lucky for you, girl. Remember, you need to win or you’ll be getting a little extra motivation after the fight.”
“You mean if I lose, you’ll bring me TV and I can binge-watch Netflix? That’s so kind of you.” I stepped out into the arena before he could say another word. I was pushing my luck, but damn it all to hell, I just didn’t care anymore. If they wanted me to fight, I’d fight. If those assholes thought they could take anything else from me, they were dead wrong.
The door closed behind me, and silence fell over the crowd of demons watching the match. The announcer screamed something, but I couldn’t make it out. The crowd erupted in cheers. I twirled my swords around and struck a pose, assuming that the cheers were for me. The least I could do was give them a good show. If you wanted to be free as a gladiator, that was the whole point, right?
The crowd went silent, then the announcer’s voice erupted across the quiet space. The door to the other side of the arena opened, and my jaw almost hit the floor. How could I even start to think about fighting something like that? The damn thing wasn’t even remotely human. The demon wasn’t like anything I had seen before. It was almost like a giant toad, but rounder. It had long front arms that ended in vicious-looking claws. Its skin was dark green laced with vivid purple strips. What was it they had said in science class? When an animal has bright colors on it, it either is poisonous or is pretending to be. It’s nature’s way of warning others not to eat them. That summed this creature up to a T, but I was betting it was poisonous. Very, very poisonous.
Redemption (Ascendancy Legacy 6) Page 5
