Page 10 of A Kiss From Death (Oath of Vengeance #1)

“It is with great honor that you have been chosen to represent your sector in this year’s Reaper Crucible.

You should all know the great sacrifice you are making with your life by entering yourself in this fight to the death.

But with great risk comes great reward. In my opinion, there is no greater reward than the possession of magic. ”

The Empress carries an unmatched elegance. She is poised in every meaning of the word, commanding attention like a true deity. She is the epitome of regality, and her words pack a mighty punch .

“This game will not only test your strength, but your wits. Every moment of your life leading up to this will either make or break your gameplay. Keep your guard up, alliances strong, and play with your head, not your heart. Make no mistake—every person here is not friend, but foe. The greatest advice I shall give you is this: keep your cards close to your chest, but your enemies even closer.”

And just like that, the illusion is gone as fast as it appeared.

The Vanquisher drops his hands back by his sides.

“You will travel in pairs with one Migrant to assist your travel to Lunaria. There are only a couple Migrants here as guards, so it will take them a few trips to get you all there. You may now pair up.” He joins the other Vanquisher guards as my competitors pair off anxiously.

I make to walk away, but Hade abruptly grabs my wrist, halting my advance.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he says with brute force.

I stare up at the wall of a man, both in confusion and caution. Does he expect me to walk with him? Maybe he wasn’t done drilling me with an unnecessary amount of personal questions? Or maybe, he just wants to keep fucking with me? Either way, I do not want to stay and find out.

Putting up my armor, I mask my face in pure, unyielding steel and pray to the Empress it’s believable. “I was going to find a competitor to pair off with—then this pain in the ass of a man stopped me.”

I narrow my eyes in an attempt to look fierce, even though my pulse is raging and ready to burst. Hopefully, he can’t feel its growing ascent under his deathly grip on my wrist.

“I can take you,” he says matter of fact, which is the last thing in Fallout I want to do right now. I’d rather not stay and learn whatever strange magic this brute possesses to transport us to Lunaria .

No fucking thank you.

“I think I’ll take my chances over there…with someone else.” I hike a thumb over my shoulder, and my voice raises in weariness at his overbearing presence.

“I actually was just about to pair off with…” I hesitate, trying to think of the name of one of my competitors. Before I get a chance to finish my sentence, a seductive male voice brushes past my ear.

“Me,” the male purrs, finishing my sentence for me, and I’ve never been more grateful.

I slowly turn my head, locking eyes with an equally intense pair already familiar to me. I’m taken back to the standoff I had with this man during Command Sector’s ceremony.

Aeron Gavis blinds me with his perfectly white teeth and his signature wolfish grin. Most women would faint at the sight, but I see past his charm for what it truly is: a weapon.

Aeron Gavis is in my gray zone. I’m not sure whether I should keep distance between us or play into his flirtatious behavior. Both directions are a gamble, but for now, my best bet at survival is to play the naive girl falling into his flirtatious trap.

My biggest weapon to yield in this competition is being underestimated, and if I have to play a lovesick puppy, then so be it. I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.

Forgive me, Theo.

Regaining my composure, I straighten my spine and yank my wrist from its detainer. “Exactly. I was just about to go find Aeron.” My tone turns harsh as I glare at Hade.

Aeron’s smile somehow grows, taking up more real estate on his face, which I didn’t think was possible. I may be trading one devil in disguise for another, but I’ll take my chances with the one who isn’t known to shatter people’s minds with just one look .

Hade doesn’t move a centimeter. I think I start to see steam pour from his ears. I’m just thankful that look isn’t directed at me for once.

“I’m sure you have more important things to do with your time than babysit us, hmm?” Aeron holds his ground, showing no signs of intimidation as he recites Hade’s words from earlier.

Shit.

The sly fox must have been listening to our conversation earlier. I need to start being more careful and observant from here on out, but that all goes out the window when Hade’s personality is choking the life out of me.

Both men stare each other down for what feels like a lifetime before Hade grunts and walks off without another word.

“Well, that went well.” I release a harsh breath. The tension from the walk slowly starts to subside the more distance I put between me and that hellion.

“Swell, I would say.” Aeron smirks, walking around my body to face me. “Aeron Gavis,” he states, grabbing my hand and brushing a feather light kiss on the top. “But it looks like you already knew that, didn’t you, little mink?”

This man oozes cockiness from every pore. I would bet all my coins he’s never been rejected a day in his life. He’s the epitome of sex appeal, and unfortunately for him, that’s the fastest way for me to lose interest.

Today is not that day, however. Today, I must play the part of the innocent damsel in distress in need of saving from the big, bad wolf.

I force a blush to my cheeks while shyly tucking a loose curl behind my ear. His eyes follow every movement, like a predator tracking its prey.

You can do this, Nyxi. Play the part.

“Oh, well, I overheard you introducing yourself to another contestant,” I say innocently, a submissive tone to my voice .

“Really?” he drawls. Stepping forward, he drags his calloused palm down the side of my face to cup my chin, tilting it up.

“Funny, because I could have sworn I’ve seen you before today.

I could never forget these beautifully unique eyes forged from steel.

” He pauses while staring intensely into them. “Beautiful,” he whispers.

I smile up at him, ever the doe eyed girl I’m trying to portray. This man thinks with his dick before his head, and I’m going use it to my advantage.

His look takes on an edge as he pinches my chin with a little more force. “Ahh yes. Maybe I’m recalling seeing you sneaking into Command Secor for the drawing ceremony. You are a troublemaker indeed.” His grin turns devilish as he sets his trap for me to fall into.

This man knows exactly what he’s doing, and he’s smarter than he lets on. I need to play these next moves very carefully.

“Y-yes,” I stutter. “I was there getting some fresh produce. Food in Vagrant just doesn’t compare to other sectors. I honestly didn’t think you would remember me,” I say innocently while fluttering my eyelashes, praying he buys it.

“It’s kind of hard to miss a woman such as yourself.

You stick out like a diamond in the rough, with your long curls that remind me of the galaxies I fall asleep under every night.

Don’t get me started on those foggy doe eyes of yours.

Perfection . And this porcelain skin I could run my hands over all night.

.. I’ve never come across someone who even comes close to comparing to you.

” He leaves no room for argument or question.

“What’s a pretty thing like you doing in Vagrant Sector? ”

He leans in closer so our noses are practically touching. I can feel his even breaths brushing against my lips. His words slam into me like water breaking through a dam, and I’m stunned into a frozen statue.

If he’s trying to weasel into my head to make me drop my guard, he’s going to have to try a lot harder. He doesn’t need to know I’m onto him, though, so I play the part and ignore his question.

“I’m sure you have an ocean of women at your feet daily. I don’t think highly enough of myself to snag your attention among the masses of beautiful women living in Command Sector.” I tug one side of my lip up in a half smirk.

He drops my chin and flicks his towards our competitors, signaling me to walk with him. “You can drop the innocent girl act. It doesn’t flatter you. I know a mink when I see one, and I prefer my women to be self-assured.” His voice takes on a level of cockiness I loathe.

“Who says I want to appeal to you at all?” I retort with a slight edge, accidently fading back to my true colors.

“There she is,” he states, taking my hand like it’s a natural instinct to him.

What is it with these men and thinking they can own my body?

“If you’re used to women falling to their knees for you, you’re in for a rude awakening,” I retort.

“Quite the opposite, actually. I prefer a good challenge, and I always get what I want.” His confidence is unnerving, and I want to claw the stupid grin off his face.

“Let the games begin then. Oh, and make no mistake, Aeron: I always win.” I drop his hand and walk over to the remaining Migrant waiting for us.

He grabs each of our hands, creating a connection between the three of us. In a blink, the world around me transforms from open lake air to a stuffy smelling vintage dark corridor. I blink a few times, trying to make sense of my new reality.

The corridor is lined with black metal sconces holding floating blue orbs that barely light the space around me.

Black damask and charcoal wallpaper lines the walls, giving it an eerie feeling.

The narrow corridor feels bigger due to its ribbed, vaulted ceiling, giant, stained glass windows lining the entire right side.

For Lunaria to be described as bright and magical, this place is the complete opposite.

“This is where you will sleep and spend all your time unless you are training, eating, or summoned by the Empress. These two are your rooms. Rest up before the commencement dinner tonight. Your handmaids, who will assist you throughout the Crucible, will be here shortly.” The Vanquisher poofs into nothing, leaving me and Aeron standing alone in the dark corridor.

I take a step towards my door and slam into the wall. No, not wall—man. Specifically, the man I’ve been trying to avoid.

“Nyxi.” Hade’s deep voice drags down my skin, begging for my attention.

Nope, not happening. I will not be trapped in this small hallway with the two men I despise.

“Wait!” they say in unison, then glare at each other as I turn my door handle and slip inside.

I feign a dramatic yawn and toss over my shoulder, “Sorry, so tired from today.” Then, I slam the door in their faces and collapse onto the bed, drifting off to sleep immediately.