Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
The vampire sneers, and now he has others backing him up. The sidhe are all gone, but the vampires are still standing against me. “Right. You don’t have any sway with the gnomes.” His voice is filled with sarcasm. “They still see you as their king. Are you taking a cut?”
Anger thrums through me, a familiar but dangerous friend. A few of the smarter vampires take a step back. “I only want the woman. I’m not getting anything out of this except her.”
Meg is watching. I should have forbidden it, but I don’t have the right yet. I can’t lose control or she’ll be terrified of me. She probably still will be.
“We’ll see about that.” The vampire’s fangs are already long in his mouth as the referee enters.
The vamps retreat. They talk amongst themselves as the gnome needlessly explains the rules.
Everyone knows them. No technology is allowed. Ancient weapons are the only ones permitted. The vampires are able to use their fangs and claws. If Cian was here, I would be allowed to use our psychic connection. Other than that, there are very few rules. Mercy must be given if asked for. If a combatant requests quarter, the warrior fighting him must give it. The fallen fighter will leave, and the battle will resume. If no quarter is asked, then death is an acceptable outcome.
I focus on the weapon in my hand. It’s my sword, once my father’s. It is one of the few things I managed to save as we fled Tír na nÒg. It has been said that my uncle mourns its loss. The sword in my hand is the traditional weapon of the Seelie King. No amount of money or power can replace what it means to my culture. Some claim that as long as I still carry the sword, there is hope.
I’m not sure about that. A large part of me simply wants to live out my life in some form of comfort. The idea of being king is nothing more than a vague dream. I only want to save my brother and find a stable life. Winning Meggie is the first step.
A roar goes through the crowd as the referee holds up a small black flag. A battle horn sounds, and the tournament begins.
There isn’t a burst of fighting. The vampires have used their time well, plotting and planning how to take me out. The vampires stalk me, attempting to distract me while some of their brethren work their way around to my back. I can read this game plan. They intend to surround me. They will work together to take me out, and then they’ll fight each other.
They don’t understand how I fight. I very much prefer it this way. Chaos is the true enemy. If I know they’re all coming after me, I know exactly who to kill—every blasted one of them. Adrenaline begins to course through my body like an old familiar drug in my system. I hold my sword calmly at my side, patiently waiting for them to get into position.
“Fucking idiots! He loves the pack rotation,” my cousin is shouting. It shouldn’t surprise me that even in a crowd of peasants watching a fight, Dante stands out as obnoxious.
The term he used is a technical term for this type of fight. The vampires are circling me like a pack of wolves. I happen to be particularly talented when it comes to defending against a pack rotation, but Dante doesn’t need to point that out.
I make the mistake of glancing my cousin’s way. Dante has left his seat and stands at the edge of the railing. The problem is he’s not alone. Meg is right beside him, her face sheet-white as she watches the men surrounding me.
She feels the connection. I just know it. A surge of hope spills over my rage. I expected the connection. I opened myself to it slightly, but if Meg felt it, too, it must be strong. It’s the only explanation for why she’s standing there, looking like her world is about to fall apart. She knows we belong together. She might not be willing to admit it, even to herself, but the bond is already being formed.
This can work. If I treat her gently, she might be happy with me.
And then all thought flees and instinct takes over. Something comes at me from my left, fast. I have a bare second before the vampire is on me. I lean over, trying to time it perfectly and get the right angle. The vampire hits my back, and I shove up with everything I have. The motion sends the vamp flying through the air, knocking down a rival on the other side of the circle. I swing up on my feet, because they’re going to attack from the other side next.