"If pitted against him."
When Cas narrowly dodged the Cerunno's first sword strike, she gasped. She could feel the vampire's eyes on her, but this was Cas! Of course she would react.
A second swing by the snake. Another close miss. Cas's tracing helped, but the Cerunno was lightning fast.
Bettina began wringing her hands in her lap. She chanced a quick glance at Daciano, found his face suddenly inscrutable-but, oh, his eyes were black as night.
"If you don't want to witness my worry, then leave," she murmured, her attention back on the fight.
He didn't reply.
Why wasn't Cas trying to strike the Cerunno? She knew he was better than this! She turned to Raum, assessing his expression. His craggy brow was furrowed. Not good.
The Cerunno charged again; finally Cas defended. Their swords clanged in the night, once and again. Sparks leapt when metal kissed metal. As the two males circled each other, the great torches illuminated Cas's sweating face and the Cerunno's shimmering scales. Neither could gain the advantage.
Then she noticed the snake's tail was elongating, creeping up behind Cas while he concentrated on deflecting sword strikes.
Just when she was about to yell, "Look out!" other spectators beat her to it. Cas tried to trace too late. The serpentine tail had already wrapped around his legs and hips, holding him in place. He fought to hack his way free, but the snake's sword warded off each blow.
All the while its tail coiled higher and higher around Cas's torso, constricting, weakening him.
Bettina watched in disbelief as the Cerunno clamped its own arms around Cas's, crushing his body until Cas's beautiful face flushed with blood, veins bulging in his temples.
"Ah, gods, no. Raum, do something!"
Cas slumped, his arms going limp. His sword clattered to the ground.
"No. No. No! Raum!"
"I'm so sorry, Tina." He laid his hand over Bettina's. "Look away, m'girl."
Powerless, she could do nothing but watch as Caspion was crushed in that hideous creature's grip. "No. This can't be happening!" What I wouldn't give for my power!
To Raum, Daciano grated, "You give him too little credit, demon."
Bettina clung to the vampire's words. He was the expert, he would know if Cas was doomed-
Like a shot, Cas twisted his head, raking one sharpened horn across the Cerunno's throat. Blood spurted from its severed jugular.
Forced to stanch the flow, the Cerunno eased its grip enough for Cas to trace to his sword. With a roar, Cas swung.
The Cerunno's head hurtled high across the ring. The shocked crowd erupted into cheers.
Bettina sagged, her eyes watering.
Raum gave a bellow of relief and joined the cheering, not even attempting to appear unbiased.
As Cas caught his breath, he managed a grin, eventually recovering enough to raise his mottled arms over his head and egg the spectators on. He was loving the attention so much that she couldn't prevent her lips from curling.
Her glorious Cas. She was so proud of his victory, happy that he was happy.
Daciano broke the spell. "Bettina, there is a limit."
Without looking at him, she asked, "What does that mean?"
He took her hand, smoothly returning her panties. "One day you'll convince me that you'll always want him." Just before he traced away, he murmured in her ear, "Take care, lest you lose a male who'll desire only you-and gain a male who'll desire only others."
Discovering more about Bettina was critical-because Trehan was failing to coax her attentions away from that f**king demon.