Page 17 of Dragon’s Revenge (Irresistible Dragons #7)

Chapter Sixteen

J ermon had never been a fan of violence. In fact, even the thought of it often made him queasy. That was probably because of his upbringing and the terror his father and uncle had brought. But for the first time in his life, he was looking forward to a fight. If they could keep it an honest one, Dempsey would not only lose but be humiliated, which would be perfect on every level.

Not only would it be a measure of revenge for every evil act the man had committed—though nowhere near what he deserved—it would also cement Kerry’s position as the new de facto leader. Jermon suspected Kerry would be much easier to deal with than Dempsey, and while the former was no angel, he didn’t seem to have sunk quite as deep into depravity.

They moved back outside, where they all gathered in what used to be the town square, forming a circle around Dempsey and Adar. Dempsey had taken off his shirt as well, and on the surface, he was the stronger one. He had an inch or so on Adar and quite a few pounds, all of them hard muscle. The man was in prime shape, yet Jermon had no doubts about the outcome of the fight.

“Who’s gonna watch Dempsey?” Fallon asked under his breath. He’d taken up position between Jermon and Erwan.

“All of us?” Jermon responded equally softly, frowning.

“We need to watch the others as well. Dempsey may have supporters that could come to his aid when they see he’s losing.”

Oh, good point. Jermon hadn’t considered that. In that case, the one with the strongest abilities should watch Dempsey. “You and Erwan keep an eye on Dempsey, I will watch Kerry, and Nadiv and Valdis can track everyone else.”

“This is a bare-hand fight until one party surrenders or is incapable of continuing, as decided by me,” Blair announced. Apparently, he’d been chosen as the referee. “No weapons of any kind may be used, including magic, and you may not step outside the circle. You can use any part of your body to fight, but you can’t aim at the groin area. Do you swear to abide by these rules?”

“Yes,” Adar said when Blair looked at him first.

“Yes,” Dempsey repeated when it was his turn. Jermon sensed no magic flowing from him.

Blair took a few steps back. “Gentlemen, you may start.”

Dempsey immediately swung at Adar with a swift and forceful punch, catching him off-guard. Adar was just a second too slow to react, and the blow landed squarely on his jaw. Yet, Adar barely flinched, absorbing the impact as if it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. With calculated precision, Adar retaliated with a punch aimed directly at Dempsey’s shoulder. The strike was powerful, evident from the vivid red mark it left behind. It was a clever tactic. Instead of targeting Dempsey’s face, Adar chose to hit him where it would directly impact his ability to fight back.

Dempsey seemed to realize it as well because he released a rapid-fire volley of punches. His fists moved with swift precision—jab, jab, a powerful uppercut, then a swift hook. Yet, Adar was unyielding, his defense impenetrable as he deftly blocked each attempt. Then, in a brief lapse when Dempsey’s hands dropped for the slightest fraction of a second, Adar seized the opportunity, delivering a precise and forceful strike directly to Dempsey’s nose.

Jermon winced. Fuck, that one had to hurt. Dempsey grunted in pain as a crimson stream trickled down his face. Yet, he was undeterred, advancing toward Adar with a relentless resolve. Despite Dempsey’s impressive strength, his movements were less swift, lacking the nimbleness Adar possessed. With fluid grace, Adar darted around him, landing precise hits that seemed to come from every direction, exploiting Dempsey’s slower reactions.

Crimson spots blossomed across Dempsey’s skin, some deepening into a darker shade like bruised plums. Adar circled him like a predator, landing punches with precision and throwing in the occasional swift kick—who knew the man was this skilled at kickboxing? His agile footwork kept Dempsey on edge, always on the defensive. Adar was methodically wearing him down, and it showed. Dempsey’s movements gradually lost their sharpness, becoming sluggish and labored.

Thwack! Adar landed a powerful kick against Dempsey’s muscular thigh, and the dragon alpha staggered backward, his balance faltering as he teetered dangerously close to stepping out of bounds. He inadvertently turned his broad back to Adar, exposing a vulnerable target. Seizing the opportunity with ruthless precision, Adar unleashed another massive kick, his foot connecting with a force that seemed to vibrate through the very core of Dempsey’s being. Oh fuck, that must’ve blown out his kidney.

Dempsey cried out in pain and lowered his hands, but Adar slowed, giving Dempsey a chance to catch his breath and take up a defensive position again. Adar got another jab in, but it lacked power because Dempsey stepped back at the last moment. The dragon alpha had been waiting for this moment, his countermove poised and ready. He spun on his feet, his arm swinging in a flawless arc, delivering a powerful hook that connected squarely with Adar’s cheek.

Jermon winced. That one had hurt. Adar spat out blood…and something else? Had he lost a tooth? It seemed like it. Jermon had to look away, so he checked on Kerry, who was watching the fight intensely. Jermon carefully sensed the area around Kerry, but he didn’t pick up on any magic.

He refocused on the fight. They were both getting tired, which was no wonder, what with how vicious the fight was. Adar’s once-rapid strikes had lost their vigor. Despite getting several hits in, his punches lacked the force they wielded before. Dempsey, having regained some composure after enduring a relentless storm of blows, began to retaliate with newfound energy. His fists connected with Adar’s body, leaving a tapestry of bruises blossoming across the wolf alpha’s chest. Was that why he was moving slower and more cautiously? Jermon narrowed his eyes.

“Do you sense anything?” Fallon whispered.

“No, why?”

“Adar is too slow. It’s not like him.”

Jermon reached out with his magic but didn’t pick up on anything, not even when Adar landed another hit. “It doesn’t seem like Dempsey is using magic on him. I can’t sense it.”

“Hmm.” Fallon closed his eyes, apparently scanning again.

Thud! With a sweep of his foot, Adar managed to bring Dempsey to the ground, and he was immediately on him. He pinned him with his body, holding him in a headlock with one arm as he used the other to let loose with a veritable barrage of punches. Things were not looking good for Dempsey and glee filled Jermon. It looked like it would soon be over.

But then Adar was all but thrown back as Dempsey broke free, sending Adar flying onto his back. A flare of magic made the air shimmer.

“Hey!” Fallon called out before Jermon could say anything. “He’s using magic!” He stretched out his hands toward Dempsey. “ A thine a mhúchadh !”

He was blocking Dempsey’s magic, and the effects were immediate. Adar pushed himself to his feet, blinking away some blood that dripped from his right eyebrow.

“Tell Dempsey to stop using magic,” Blair snarled at Kerry. “Or Adar will be declared the winner.”

“Get that little shit,” someone snarled, and two Murphy alphas came storming at them. Jermon jumped in front of Fallon. Erwan did the same, but before he could do anything else, the alphas were on them. Jermon tried to block a punch, but it landed against his cheek anyway. Furious, he threw his magic at them, and behind him, Fallon was rapidly shouting spells, boosted by Valdis.

“You dare raise your hand against the White Dragon?” Fallon snarled as he pushed Jermon aside and faced the two alphas. Oh, he was fearless as he raised his hands and, with one gesture, shoved them back with an invisible force, completely knocking them off their feet.

Complete chaos ensued. Blair was holding back Kerry, who was shouting at the two men to stop while Fallon rained down magical hits on them. Jermon stood in front of Erwan to protect him, his other two brothers flanking him. The others from their group held back Murphy alphas who were trying to intervene, and even Maz got a few punches in.

“Everyone, stop!” Kerry’s voice rose above the din, and it packed power. He’d boosted it with some magic, but in this case, Jermon didn’t mind. Everyone froze, and Fallon stopped too, his chest heaving with panting breaths from the effort. That had been…

Oh fuck. Jermon spun around, and Dempsey had Adar pinned. Adar was curled into a tight fetal position, instinctively shielding his head and vulnerable belly as Dempsey relentlessly pummeled him. Jermon blasted magic at Dempsey, putting up a shield around Adar. The effect was immediate. Dempsey’s punches faltered, his movements now sluggish and lacking power.

“Block his magic,” Jermon snapped at Fallon. “And fucking keep blocking it.”

“He’s used magic on him this whole time,” Erwan gasped. “What have we done?”

Jermon’s stomach rolled as he watched Adar lie motionless on the ground. Dempsey had used the distraction to beat him every which way he could. Was Adar okay? No, of course, he wasn’t. He’d broken a few ribs for sure, and maybe his nose and even his jaw? Fuck, he looked bad. Really, really bad.

Blair kneeled next to Adar. “I’m not sure he can continue…”

But Adar stirred. Jermon gasped in disbelief as the alpha, battered and bruised, managed to push himself up from the ground. His face was a grotesque tableau of injuries. Purple flesh obscured his features, his nose a bloody mess and his eyes nearly swollen shut. Blood oozed from his split lip, trickling down his chin. Yet, despite his grievous injuries, Adar stood tall. With a determined gesture, he shoved Blair away, the message clear. He wasn’t done.

Dempsey took a step back, raising shaky hands in a defensive position. “He can’t…”

“He says he’s good,” Blair said. “The fight continues. And if you use magic again, I will kill you myself.”

It should’ve been impossible. With the injuries he had, Adar shouldn’t have been able to stand, let alone fight. But he came at Dempsey, who was nothing without his magic, weakened by Adar’s earlier hits. Adar got a clean hit in, mumbling something. Then another one. What was he saying?

Finally, Jermon could make it out. “This is for Oliver, asshole. This is for Oliver. This is for my mate. This is for Oliver.”

Dempsey’s hands came down, and before he could get them up, Adar punched him full in the face. Dempsey went down without a sound. Adar immediately dropped on top of him, raining down hits on him.

“He’s out!” Kerry shouted. “Dempsey’s out!”

Blair grabbed Adar’s arm and pulled, and when the alpha didn’t stop, he physically dragged him off Dempsey. Adar rolled onto his back, where he stayed, looking up at the sky.

Maz came running, kneeling next to Dempsey. He put his fingers against his neck, bending forward. “He has no pulse.”

He looked at Kerry, who didn’t hesitate. “Let him die. He deserves it.” Kerry turned to Erwan. “Your man has won. We acknowledge his victory.”

Maz immediately hurried to Adar, whose blinks were getting slower. Jermon came running too, sinking to his knees next to Adar. The wolf alpha looked at him, managing a weak smile on his swollen, bleeding mouth. “I did it.”

The words sounded distorted, but the impact couldn’t have been greater than if he’d shouted them. Jermon’s eyes filled with tears. “Yeah, you did. You avenged Oliver.”

“He was using magic the whole time, reinforcing his hits a little.”

Oh fuck. How had they missed that? “I’m so sorry we failed to see that.”

“It’s okay,” Adar whispered. “I won anyway.”

One last blink, and he passed out. Jermon’s heart went cold. “Is he okay?” he asked Maz, who was examining Adar.

Maz shook his head. “He’s not. See those bruises here?” He pointed at Adar’s belly. “He took multiple full hits on his spleen, and his belly is now distended. I fear he’s bleeding internally. We need to get him to the clinic as fast as possible.”