all those females eyeing this up, need to know that.” I dug my fingers into his flesh. He grinned, his eyes melting into a dark and sparkling sapphire blue as his wolf joined in.
I was so past giving a shit about challenges just because I was his lover. And I sure didn’t give a rat’s ass about what anyone else thought. I’d had to fight for everything in my life and if I had to fight for Connor, to be with him, then bring it on. Life was too short. And Fate was a fickle bitch that tended to take those I loved away from me.
Connor stared down into my face, and though he didn’t take his attention off me I knew he sensed the mood and position of each person, not to mention every move they made in that massive hall.
He smirked. “You really are a bad girl.”
I cocked my head, my life in Faerie hitting me right between the eyes. “You have no idea how bad.” My gut twisted when I thought about Blue and what that faerie warrior was doing to her. One way or another, I had to get out of here and help her.
Connor’s eyes narrowed. “You’re worried.”
“Yeah, but not just about the fights. I have to get out and get to Blue. I can’t just leave her.” My tattoo glimmered in the bright lights of the hall, mocking me. I sighed heavily and tightened my hold on Connor, not caring who watched. Right now, I needed the strength and reassurance he offered.
“I won’t let you die, Firecracker,” he murmured into my hair, pulling me even closer.
That hadn’t been my main concern, Fire had my back. But I wasn’t sure how he was going to stop everyone else from dying, or get us out of here so that we had a chance of finding a way back to Faerie. “I’m not worried about me. It’s like it was in the woods. If Fire senses I’m about to die—or I do die, she will bring me back. But I’ll lose my wolf and the problem is, Fire wants a life for a life. She’ll take the shifter spirit from whoever kills me and gift it to me. I’m also scared shitless I’ll lose Rawson, again—that they’ll put him in the ring. And I kind of like your brothers. I’m worried what will happen to them all—” My warm breath fanned his chest where I rested my head.
“I know. Welcome to my world.” And there was no reassurance he could give me. Because if I revealed Fire to the warden, or Doherty, we both knew I was as good as dead.
Chapter 21
Ember
* * *
I plonked myself on the mats right under the punching bag and pulled off my gloves. I might be able to heal more quickly than a human, but Rawson had upped the speed and viciousness of our fights. Against Connor’s wishes, he’d pitted me against other shifters. It was logical and I agreed with his rationale. I wouldn’t only be fighting his brothers, I’d be fighting someone whose moves and fighting style I didn’t know.
I had bruises and a broken rib. My lip stung like a bitch from a kick to the face, and though I was exhausted, I was unsettled. I yanked at the collar around my neck. For the most part I could ignore it, though I was always aware of its presence. Today though, it burned my skin, its weight strangling me. Perhaps it was a full moon in the outside world.
My wolf paced and snarled in my soul, wanting to be free. She needed to run and she needed to find a release for her power. I flipped myself up and began to prowl away from Reed and Myles.
Reed frowned. “You feeling alright? You’ve been antsy all day.”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Right. I was anything but fine. The fights were closing in, my friends were at risk, and I had no idea what Connor was planning. Not only that, I’d not seen him for three days now.
They both scrambled to their feet.
“No!” I held out a hand. “Just...stop.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “I need to be on my own for a bit,” I said softly.
They both looked at each other.
“No.”
“No.”
It was impossible to hold back my screech. I turned on my heel and headed back to my room. I marched down corridors and up stairs then I spotted the showers. I smirked and